A few days later, it was time to practice for the Truffle Garden 500, and several racers had already practiced. It was now Herschel's turn, and he was determined to get a better time than the one he had during practice for the Caramel City Classic.

"All right, Hersch, the key point here is to focus. Focus is the key." Ricky Caramese, his pit crew chief says as Herschel puts on his helmet.

"Got it, Rick." Herschel says, starting his kart.

"All right, GO!" Ricky says. Herschel takes off, driving around the track at a steady pace.

"Gotta keep focused, gotta stay focused..." Herschel says, driving around the track and remembering what his pit crew chief said.

He then approaches the finish line, crossing it and recording a practice time of 15 minutes, 23 seconds.

"Way to go, Herschel! Your best time yet!" Ricky says, smiling. "Good job!"

"Thanks, Rick." Herschel says, taking off his racing helmet and placing his Oreo ballcap on his head.

"So, you ready for your dad's birthday next week?" Ricky asks Herschel.

"I sure am, Rick. I got him an awesome present that I know he'll love." Herschel says, smiling.

"What'd you get him?" Ricky asks him, handing Herschel a bottle of Pepsi Max.

"Something based around the Daytona 500." Herschel says, opening the bottle and taking a sip of Pepsi Max.

"Oh, how nice!" Ricky says, smiling. "Well, I hope he likes your present."

"He will, Rick. I'm sure of it!" Herschel says, smiling. "I have to go meet Wipp back at the hotel, so we can catch up on today's racing news. See you later, Rick!"

Herschel climbs into Wonderboy and he drives back to the hotel.

Back at the hotel, all the racers just came back from practice and are looking forward to seeing today's episode of Sugar Racing Today. They're all settled down in the main lobby as it comes on.

(Sugar Racing Today)

"Hello, race fans!" Charlie says as the show comes on. "And welcome to today's edition of Sugar Racing Today! Alongside me as always is my co-anchor, Natalia Italian-Ice, and you're in for an exciting show!"

"That they are, Charlie..." Natalia says, halfheartedly smiling as she picks up a script and starts reading from it. "Today's headline: 'Did the Jolly Ranchers Go Too Far?'. As you saw on a previous broadcast of our show, we showed you a Jolly Rancher riot in front of Swizzle's house. Well, there was more to that riot a day later. The house was vandalized inside and out, Swizzle's kart was ripped apart, and Swizzle himself was beaten and tortured by several of them. We have heard from the SRPD, and Swizzle has decided to press charges against the Jolly Rancher fans. We at Sugar Racing Today think they indeed did go too far. We also asked several citizens for their opinion on the matter, and they also agreed with us, that they did indeed go too far. As far as charges go, they could range from vandalism to assault."

"Wow..." Charlie says. "In other news, preparations are underway for Reese Nougatson's 40th birthday bash next week! We go live to Kevin Fluggerbutter, who is in front of the Sugar City Motor Speedway."

"Hello, Charlie and Natalia. As you can see behind me, preparations are indeed being done for Reese Nougatson's 40th birthday bash. This party is going to the biggest celebration in all of Sugar Rush. Reese Nougatson is one of Sugar Rush's finest racers, and of course, this will be the party of the year!" Kevin says. "There's going to be tons of food, live entertainment by Def Leppard and Brad Paisley, and of course, as you can see behind me, the gifts are PILING up!"

"Wow..." Charlie says, impressed. "What's the word on Reese's birthday cake?"

"Well, the latest word on the cake is that it's going to be pretty big, and it's gonna have Reese's name on it in golden icing." Kevin says, smiling.

"Ohhhh...that cake sounds good..." Charlie says, smiling. "So, who's invited to the party?"

"We are, of course! Anyone who's anyone is invited to this party, even the racers and fans! Swizzle is not invited, however." Kevin says, excited. "Well, there you have it, a glimpse at preparations for Reese Nougatson's birthday bash, ladies and gentlemen. Back to you at the studio, Charlie and Natalia."

"Thank you, Kevin. It sounds like it's going to be some party!" Natalia says, smiling. "After the break, we will take a look at a predictable winner for the Truffle Garden 500, and see if anyone remembered what day it is for me..." the cameras cut off as the show goes to a commercial break.

"Um, Nat? You feelin' okay?" Charlie asks her.

"I'm fine..." Natalia replies, tears in her eyes.

"Did you think I forgot about today, Nat?" Charlie asks her, pulling a cupcake from behind his back, a candle lit on top of it. "Happy Birthday, Natalia..."

"Ch-Charlie, you shouldn't have!" Natalia says, smiling at her co-anchor as she blows out the candle on the cupcake and takes a bite of it. "Mmmmmm...lemonberry custard..."

Soon, the show comes back on. "Oh, we're back on the air!" Natalia says, wiping her mouth and sitting back at the anchor desk. "And welcome back to Sugar Racing Today. Before the break, we said we were going to show a predictable winner for the Truffle Garden 500."

"Indeed we were, Nat." Charlie says. "We want to show you a predicted winner, chosen by the viewers!" Jubileena's picture and stats come up on the screen.

#5: Jubileena Bing-Bing- Sugar Rush Speedway Career: Wins- 60, Top Threes- 96, Top Fives- 111; Grand Prix Stats: Victories- 14, Starts- 7, Top Threes- 10, Top Fives- 13, DNF's- 1 (busted oil filter)

"Jubileena is quite a contender, ladies and gentlemen." Charlie says, smiling. "Your hopes of her winning are pretty good!"

"We hope she gives it her all!" Natalia says, smiling.

"And that will do it for this episode of Sugar Racing Today! See you on race day!" Charlie says as the show goes off.

After the show, all the racers talk about is Reese's party.

"Oh, my Mod, we're invited to the party, Rancy!" Taffyta says, smiling.

"I can't believe Def Leppard's gonna be there!" Herschel says, smiling. "Me favorite band...and me father's favorite, too..."

"And that massive cake..." Gloyd says, drooling. "Oh, I can't wait!"

The racers are really excited about Reese's birthday party.

Meanwhile, on Swirl Pop Cove, Swizzle is sitting in his house after cleaning it up from the riot that happened. He had heard about Reese Nougatson's birthday party, and how everyone is invited. Everyone but him.

"Grrrr..." Swizzle growls as he pulls his jacket tighter around his body. "Why am I not invited to the biggest party in Sugar Rush? I mean, I'm the king of parties..."

Swizzle feels hurt by that news. "I have an idea..." Swizzle says. "I'm crashing that party...and I'm gonna show them how much of a party animal I really am..." he says, smirking evilly.