Chapter 6: Dashing through the Desert

(MONDAY) FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS HQ

(Phone rings)

"Hello?" Al said.

"Hey Al, it's the boss." The voice said.

"Hey boss, what's up?" Al asked.

"I hate to break this to you, but you're not going to be in the #38 this weekend." The Front Row boss said.

"What, why?!" Al asked out of shock.

We have another driver who we are looking at for next year, so she will be driving the #38 for 6 races. You will be driving the #15 this week. Depending on how she does and how you do will determine who gets the #38 for next year. I already talked to Mix and she said she's ok with not racing this weekend.

"Who's the driver taking over my ride this weekend?" Al asked out of suspicion.

"It's Codi Gizmody…" The boss said nervously.

There was silence for 10 seconds over the phone, and Al was wondering… "why her?"

"I gotta go." Al said, hanging up the phone.

SATURDAY (QUALIFYING)

Marshall just finished his qualifying lap, and was currently on provisional pole.

#11 Radio: One car left. Cross your fingers Marshall.

#5 Radio: You were fastest in practice Ryder. Go win this pole.

Ryder would go out and steal the pole from Marshall.

"DAMNIT! He beat us!" Marshall exclaimed.

#5 Radio: That's pole position!

"YES BOYS! Let's do what I couldn't do last week: Win." Ryder said.

SUNDAY (RACE DAY)

STARTING LINEUP 1. #5 2. #11 3. #24 4. #6 5. #20 6. #1 7. #34 8. #12 9. #8 10. #43

11. #99 12. #45 13. #19 14. #54 15. #4 16. #22 17. #9 18. #48 19. #23 20. #2 21. #17 22. #16 23. #47 24. #14 25. #41 26. #31 27. #21 28. #7 29. #15 30. #3 31. #10 32. #42 33. #78 34. #38 35. #77 36. #51

STAGES 60/125/127

#5 Radio: Ryder you control the start. #11 on your outside. 5…4…3…2…1… green flag!

GREEN FLAG

Ryder would clear Marshall and Arrby would clear him as well taking 2nd place away

LAP 2/312 Leader: Ryder

Ryder led lap 1, but Arrby would waste no time and take the lead away from Ryder.

"Deja vu of last week!" Arrby exclaimed.

LAP 49/312 Leader: Arrby

Everest was still making up positions as she passed Ella for 5th place.

#45 Radio: Everest, you're doing great. If we keep this up, you'll be with the Hendrick cars in no time.

LAP 52/312 Leader: Arrby

"I've lost power! Something doesn't feel right!" Ladybird complained.

#78 Radio: Just take it to the garage. We're done.

LAP 60/312 Leader: Arrby

Arrby leading all but the first lap would win stage 1.

#24 Radio: In dominating fashion like last week!

"Yep. Let's keep this up!" Arrby insisted.

LAP 64/312 Leader: Arrby

CAUTION

Everyone would come to pit road for 4 tires, but Ryder would take the lead off of pit road.

LAP 69/312 Leader: Arrby

GREEN FLAG

Ryder with no problem at all would clear Arrby and hold the lead.

LAP 117/312

Leader: Ryder Everyone would make their green flag pit stops and Ryder would still be ahead of Arrby. At this rate, no one could catch the Hendrick duo.

"How are Ryder and Arrby so fast?!" Skye complained.

"It amazes me how fast they are." Zuma said.

LAP 138/312 Leader: Ryder

Commentary: Trouble front straightaway! The Duke of Flappington has hit the wall, and his right front wheel is completely gone!

#10 Radio: Caution is out, Duke are you ok?

"I'm fine. No point in continuing." The Duke angrily said.

LAP 142/312 Leader: Ryder

CAUTION

Everyone would pit, and with no surprise Ryder would keep the lead.

LAP 149/312 Leader: Ryder

GREEN FLAG

Ryder once again would drive away from the restart.

LAP 185/312 Leader: Ryder

Ryder would drive away easily to win stage 2.

#5 Radio: Green checkered here. You're way better than the #24.

"Don't get your hopes up guys. We still got a lot of racing left." Ryder explained.

LAP 190/312 Leader: Ryder

CAUTION

Ryder would win the race off pit road, but Zuma would pass Arrby for 2nd place.

#4 Radio: Good job Zuma. You know how to win these kinds of races.

"I'm gonna get Ryder." Zuma insisted.

LAP 195/312 Leader: Ryder

GREEN FLAG

Ryder would get the lead, but would not drive away as he had Zuma hot on his tail, and for about 50 laps, that's how they stayed.

LAP 245/312 Leader: Ryder

#4 Radio: Pit this time Zuma

"Copy that." Zuma said bringing his car to pit road.

#5 Radio: The #4 just pitted. Pit next time Ryder.

"Roger." Ryder replied LAP 246/312 Leader: Ryder

Ryder would pit and as soon as he got up to top speed. Zuma was side by side with him!

Commentary: Ryder exits the pits, BUT HERE COMES ZUMA ON HIS OUTSIDE, BUT RYDER STAYS AHEAD!

"DAMNIT. I HAD HIM!" Zuma shouted. #4 Radio: Plan B Zuma. Plan B.

"What's plan B?" Zuma asked.

#4 Radio: Save your tires. You'll gain more on the long run.

"Alright I trust you." Zuma said as he started saving his tires.

What Zuma didn't realize by making this move, would decide his fate.

LAP 269/312 Leader: Ryder

Commentary: HERE COMES ZUMA ON THE INSIDE OF RYDER, AND ZUMA NOW LEADS AT PHOENIX!

"LET'S GO DUDES!" Zuma shouted.

#4 Radio: YESSIR ZUMA! DRIVE AWAY NOW!

#5 Radio: I'm sorry Ryder. Zuma fell back and saved his tires.

"Smart dog." Ryder laughed to himself.

LAP 302/312 Leader: Zuma

With 11 laps to go, Zuma was cruising to victory, but one car would change the ending to the race.

Commentary: TROUBLE ON THE FRONT STRETCH! DWAYNE SPINS AND THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!

#4 Radio: Caution is out.

"NOOOOOOOO!" Zuma shouted in frustration.

LAP 305/312 Leader: Zuma

CAUTION

Everyone would come in for tires for the late restart. Zuma would pit for 4 tires, but six drivers thought otherwise, Ryder, Arrby, Ella, Sweetie, Marshall, and Rocky all took 2 tires for track position.

#5 Radio: Zuma's in 7th. If this stays green and you handle everything, you will win this race.

#4 Radio: Try and drive like hell Zuma. "Gotcha." Zuma said with determination.

LAP 310/312 Leader: Ryder

GREEN FLAG

Ryder would get a great restart and clear Arrby for the lead. Further back however, trouble struck!

Commentary: Trouble turn 2! 3 cars in the wall! It's Wildcat, and it's the Mer-Pups of Coral and Moby!

#16 Radio: Wild, are you ok? "I'm fine. Still going." Wildcat said, trying to stay positive.

"Sorry guys. I got in the wall and had nowhere to go." Coral said with disappointment.

GWC ATTEMPT #1 Leader: Ryder

Ryder and Arrby would be neck and neck going into turn 1, and further back, Marshall would actually put Sweetie in the wall!

#11 Radio: Marshall, what are you doing?!

"HE JUST WALLED ME! ARE YOU NOT SEEING THIS?!" Sweetie shouted.

Up ahead, Ella made it three wide and Everest was right behind the lead trio and shoved Arrby to the lead.

#45 Radio: Everest, take it easy!

"I want this win guys!" Everest stated.

WHITE FLAG

4 cars under a blanket for the win, but Arrby would end up ahead going into turn 1 with Ella right behind him.

#12 Radio: Push it Ella! Send it!"

Ella did everything she could to pass Arrby, but couldn't do it.

Commentary: OUT OF TURN 4, ARRBY STEALS ANOTHER ONE! HE WINS AT PHOENIX!

#24 Radio: BACK 2 BACK WINS ARRBY!

"LETS GO! We stole another one! HAHA!" The pirate pup laughed.

#12 Radio: Ella! That's second place! What a run! "Thanks guys. I did what I could." Ella said with a smile.

#45 Radio: 3rd place Everest. Well done!

"WOOHOO!" Everest howled. "About time something good happened to us!"

#9 Radio: Ben. That's a top 10. Excellent work man.

"Thanks for believing in me guys! This is the confidence boost I needed. We'll go to Atlanta next week and hopefully do better!" Ben exclaimed.

POST RACE

Sweetie was pissed off that Marshall accidentally put her in the wall and went to confront the Dalmatian.

"Spots! Get your ass here right now!" The terrier demanded.

Marshall just jumped out of his car and he saw Sweetie confront him.

"You deserved it. The thought of what you did to me in Las Vegas still makes me so mad." Marshall replied.

"I should beat the shit out of you right now!" Sweetie yelled.

Marshall then started to growl and looked Sweetie dead in the eyes.

"If you punch me, it won't be pretty for you." Marshall calmly, but seriously replied.

Sweetie didn't care and socked Marshall in the face, but it barely fazed him.

"You just made the biggest mistake of your life." Marshall said as she jumped onto Sweetie, without throwing any punches, pinned her to the ground with her leg in a vulnerable position.

"NO PLEASE! DON'T BREAK MY LEG!" Sweetie pleaded.

Marshall was about to deliver the final blow, but realized that he's not the kind of pup to injure someone on purpose. Marshall then let go of her as Sweetie slowly backed away. Suddenly the media came around Marshall.

Reporter #1: Marshall, what was that altercation between you and Sweetie?

"I just explained to her what I did." Marshall stated.

Reporter #2: Marshall, was putting Sweetie in the wall your intention?

"Well, it definitely wasn't an accident." Marshall laughed to himself.

RESULTS

1st #24 Arrby

2nd #12 Ella

3rd #45 Everest

4th #5 Ryder

5th #4 Zuma

6th #20 Skye

7th #14 The Cheetah

8th #8 Rocky

9th #48 Mayor Humdinger

10th #9 Ben

11th #22 Rubble

12th #41 Gasket

13th #34 Hubcap

14th #23 Claw

15th #17 Rory

16th #3 Harold Humdinger

17th #19 Liberty

18th #6 Shade

19th #47 Wheeler

20th #16 Wildcat

21st #43 Rex

22nd #99 Tracker

23rd #11 Marshall

24th #1 Sweetie

25th #2 Tuck (-1)

26th #7 Alex (-1)

27th #31 Leo (-1)

28th #54 Coral (-1)

29th #42 Moby (-1)

30th #77 Copycat (-2)

31st #38 Cody Gizmody (-2)

32nd #15 Al (-3)

33rd #10 Duke of Flappington (-4)

34th #51 Sid Swashbuckle (-6)

35th #21 Dwayne (-7)

36th #78 Ladybird (DNF)