Chapter 7: Penalties in Atlanta
(WEDNESDAY)
Marshall, Ryder, Chase, Ben, Arrby, Leo, and Mayor Humdinger all got a phone call to head to NASCAR HQ for an announcement.
"What's this dumb announcement anyway? I don't remember anything happening this week!" The mayor grumbled.
"I don't know Humdinger. This sounds pretty serious." Ryder replied.
Suddenly a man walked into the room and sat down with everyone.
"Good morning everyone. My name is Steve Phelps, and I have major news regarding you seven drivers." Steve said.
Marshall's ears dropped as he knew what he did on Sunday was wrong, wrecking Sweetie intentionally.
"I'm gonna start with everyone, but Marshall. Marshall you have a different incident, but we'll get to that later.
Marshall perked up in confusion as he wondered why he was soloed out.
"You guys modified a specific part of the car which you cannot do. As punishment, I am docking you five teams 100 drivers points, 100 owners points and 10 playoff points"
"WHAT?!" Everyone but Marshall shouted.
"Where does that say in the rule book?!" The mayor demanded.
Ryder groaned and put his hands on his face knowing they messed up.
"That isn't fair!" Leo shouted
"I just got my first top 10 since I returned!" Ben protested."
"Excuse me Steve sir, what about my 2 wins?" Arrby asked.
"Arrby, you are still in the playoffs thanks to your wins, but 10 of those playoff points will be gone." Steve explained.
"We are so screwed Chase." Ben said in defeat.
"Calm down Ben. We can do this. We can recover from this." Chase said, trying to hype up Ben.
"You're right Chase. We gotta have faith." Ben said petting the German Shepherd.
"You six can leave the room. Marshall stay here please." Steve said.
The six penalized drivers left the room leaving Marshall and Steve by themselves.
"Before you say anything, what I did at Phoenix was wrong. I cared more about wrecking Sweetie than my team. I cost my team many points and I let them down on Sunday." Marshall said with sadness.
Steve could only smile as he saw how honest Marshall was.
"Marshall, I'm happy that you are honest, and that you're open to admitting your mistakes, but I cannot have you go unpunished for what you did. I am docking you 25 points for wrecking Sweetie intentionally." Steve said.
"Alright." Marshall replied.
"Thank you for your time Marshall." Steve said
"Bye Steve." Marshall said, walking out of the room.
OUTSIDE OF NASCAR HQ
Ben was waiting outside for Marshall to exit the building. As soon as he saw Marshall, he knelt down beside the Dalmatian.
"Marshall, what is wrong with you?! Why did you wreck that princess pup on purpose? You know better than that!" Ben scolded.
"I'm sorry Ben! I was more focused on her than the race." Marshall explained "Well don't let it happen again. I don't want to see you get penalized again." Ben said, hugging Marshall.
"Yes Ben. I promise." Marshall insisted
(SATURDAY) QUALIFYING
Track: Atlanta Motor Speedway
Track type: Superspeedway
Everyone was in Atlanta to qualify on the mini superspeedway. Almost everyone was talking about the penalties NASCAR gave the teams. Everest, Skye, Rocky, and Tracker all in their racing fire suits were talking over it.
"Wow. I can't believe Marshall got penalized for that." Everest said.
"He admitted it Everest. If he didn't say anything, Marshall wouldn't have been penalized for wrecking Sweetie." Skye explained.
"Yeah, but I understand why he did it though. He wanted to send a message to Sweetie and he did." The husky stated.
"Everest. You and I both saw what happened last week. Did you think Marshall was going to break Sweetie's leg?" The cockapoo asked.
"While it was a shock to watch Marshall pin Sweetie to the ground, I know Marshall would never do anything like that to anyone, especially Sweetie."
Everest answered. "Speaking of Sweetie, where is she Tracker?" Rocky asked.
"Oi oi oi, she still hasn't calmed down. She said she wanted Marshall suspended, even fired for what he did. She's acting ridículo." Tracker stated.
Suddenly, Wildcat approached the group.
"Hey pups. Whatcha talking about?" Wildcat asked.
"Hey Wild. We were just talking about Marshall's penalty." Rocky replied.
"Ah. I have issues with my teammate right now. Leo won't stop complaining about his 100 point penalty. Like, bro. You cheated. You deserve this penalty." Wildcat said.
"I gotta go. Adios guys!" Tracker said walking away.
"See ya Tracker." Skye said, waving her paw.
"I should probably go too. Qualifying is gonna start soon." Everest stated.
All the pups walked away from each other to start qualifying.
1 HOUR LATER
Commentary: Trouble turn 4! Skye spins onto the apron and that'll end her chance at the pole!
#20 Radio: Skye are you ok?
"I'm fine, but something feels broken." Skye replied.
#20 Radio: Ok Skye, that will be a backup car, and you will lose your 10th place starting spot.
Commentary: Tuck and Ella are looking to start 1-2 tomorrow, but Rubble could possibly spoil the party! AND YES HE HAS! RUBBLE TAKES THE POLE! IT'S A PENSKE 1-2-3!
#22 Radio: That's pole position and we have all our cars in the top 3!
"WOOOOOO! Nice work guys! Great job to the Twins as well! They looked fast!" Rubble said
#2 Radio: P2 Tuck. I know it's heartbreaking, but you have your sister right alongside you
"Haha. This is awesome. Well done to Ella and Rubble!" Tuck exclaimed.
#12 Radio: Ella you're P3. Rubble 1st, Tuck 2nd. "YES! Nice to see all our cars in the top positions!" Ella replied.
SUNDAY (RACE DAY)
STARTING LINEUP 1. #22 2. #2 3. #12 4. #6 5. #10 6. #4 7. #17 8. #14 9. #5
10. #20 11. #24 12. #34 13. #3 14. #11 15. #48 16. #45 17. #8 18. #1 19. #23
20. #31 21. #9 22. #42 23. #38 24. #41 25. #99 26. #77 27. #47 28. #43 29. #19
30. #16 31. #7 32. #51 33. #21 34. #15 35. #54 36. #78
STAGES 60/100/100
#22 Radio: You're the man Rubble. We have a plan with the twins and hopefully it pays off.
#2 Radio: Don't go before the #22. 5…4…3…2…1…
GREEN FLAG
Rubble got a great restart and jumped to the inside to help the Mighty Twins
LAP 10/260 Leader: Rubble
Commentary: Trouble back straightaway! One car spins and hits the wall! It's the #23 of Claw! And it looks like the nose of the former knight is heavily damaged.
#23 Radio: Claw what happened?
"I got loose. Sorry guys." Claw replied.
LAP 16/260 Leader: Rubble
GREEN FLAG
Once again, with the help of his Penske teammates, Rubble would hold on to the lead.
"We keep this up, we're gonna dominate this race." Rubble stated.
LAP 60/260 Leader: Rubble
Rubble took the white flag for stage 1, but Ella who was running 3rd would go to the inside, but wouldn't get enough help. Tuck tried to go to the outside, but Rubble would block him and Rubble would win stage 1.
LAP 61/260 Leader: Rubble
CAUTION
#22 Radio: Green checkered. You led every lap Rubble. Great job.
Everyone would come to pit road. Everyone had different strategies, but the guy who came off pit road first had a small problem.
#8 Radio: Rocky we don't think we put enough fuel in the car to the end of stage 2, so hopefully we get a caution.
"Come on guys. We talked about this. I mean we'll bounce back, but still." Rocky said.
LAP 68/260 Leader: Rocky
GREEN FLAG
Rocky would get clear for the lead with the help from Ella and for the moment, be in command.
LAP 70/260 Leader: Rocky
Ella said she was done waiting and challenged Rocky for the lead and for a few laps they would stay that way.
LAP 75/260 Leader: Ella
"I don't have the power to clear him! The outside is too strong." Ella said.
#12 Radio: Just keep fighting Ella. You're doing good.
LAP 77/260 Leader: Rocky
Rocky on the outside had the lead, but the #22 of Rubble was so fast on the bottom he cleared Rocky with ease.
#22 Radio: This is why you won the pole yesterday Rubble. Great job.
LAP 91/260 Leader: Rubble
"I smell something weird. And my car suddenly feels slow." Gasket said.
#41 Radio: Gasket we think you have a cylinder down. Not enough to retire, but you will have no pace at all.
LAP 160/260 Leader: Rubble
Green flag pit stops occurred already and Rubble would lead the pack all the way to the white flag.
#2 Radio: Go outside Tuck. Force him behind the lapped car.
#45 Radio: Inside Everest! You'll force the Penske cars into the lapped car.
Everest made the move to the inside and got side by side with Rubble, and Tuck would go outside forcing it 3-wide into turn 4, and Tuck on the outside would carry a lot of speed out of turn 4 and win stage 2.
#2 Radio: 3 wide, 2 outside! You got it Tuck! Great move!
"Now I know what it's gonna take to win." Tuck said catching his breath.
LAP 164/260 Leader: Tuck
CAUTION
Everyone made their pit stops and the #10 team made the call to take no tires and fuel only.
"Guys, why didn't we take tires?" The Duke questioned.
#10 Radio: We plan to go to the end on these tires unless we get a caution with 40-50 laps to go.
LAP 169/260 Leader: Duke of Flappington
GREEN FLAG
The Duke didn't get a good restart which allowed Wheeler who started 2nd on the inside to claim the lead of the race
#47 Radio: Goob job Wheeler. You're leading the race now.
"Just like Daytona." Wheeler said to himself.
#10 Radio: Keep fighting on the outside, Duke. Try to get around him
"Again, why didn't we change tires?!" The Duke demanded.
LAP 175/260 Leader: Wheeler
Marshall was working his way to the front. He had been running top 10 all race, but he wanted to lead laps.
"The #47 is holding everyone up." Marshall said.
#11 Radio: Don't waste any time Marshall. Get around him.
Marshall on the next lap would get to the outside of Wheeler and take the lead of the race.
"NICE! Let's go!" Marshall exclaimed.
LAP 186/260 Leader: Marshall
Marshall was leading the field for about 10 laps, but Zuma was charging on the inside with the help from Sweetie and found him side by side with Marshall for the lead.
#4 Radio: You've got help from the #1. #11 is still on your outside.
"I'm almost clear. Just a little more speed." Zuma insisted.
Zuma would eventually clear Marshall and take the lead of the race.
LAP 190/260 Leader: Zuma
Zuma was doing a good job keeping Sweetie and Marshall right behind them, but one push from behind changed everything.
Commentary: TROUBLE TURN 2! ZUMA GETS SPUN! HE COLLECTS ARRBY! MARSHALL BARELY MISSES IT! THE #17 OF RORY IS INVOLVED AS IS THE #9 OF BEN ALLEN! ROCKY SPINS, DWAYNE'S CAR IS KILLED, SO IS LADYBIRD'S AS CARS SCATTER TO MISS THE CARNAGE, AND THE CAUTION COMES OUT!
Zuma's car was still going, but the car was skewed, meaning the suspension broke.
"THE TOE LINK IS BENT THANKS TO SWEETIE!" Zuma shouted.
Zuma was growling and breathing heavily as he knew he had this race in control.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Zuma finished.
#1 Radio: Sweetie… why?
"I never touched him! He got loose on his own!" Sweetie protested.
#1 Radio: We'll look at the footage after the race
"Car's killed." Rory said.
#24 Radio: We're done Arrby. Hot streak is over.
"Sorry sir. I had nowhere to go." Arrby said as drove his car to the garage.
"Nose is caved in, but somehow the radiator didn't take any damage." Ben stated.
#9 Radio: Bring it to pit road and we'll see what we can do.
#21 Radio: Toe link's bent Dwayne. We're done.
"Sometimes I wish I wasn't in this car." Dwayne said to himself.
#8 Radio: Rocky are you ok?
"I'm fine, just spun out. No damage." Rocky replied.
#78 Radio: Back end is destroyed. We're done Ladybird.
"UGHHHHHHH! It's bad enough I'm running terrible and now this!" Ladybird shouted.
#11 Radio: Marshall are you good?
"I missed by an inch… haha." The Dalmatian laughed to himself.
"HA HA HA! I didn't hit a thing!" Everest laughed.
#45 Radio: Excellent avoidance Everest. You're up to 3rd now.
LAP 195/260 Leader: Sweetie
CAUTION
Everyone would come to pit road with some mixed strategies. The #10 would take fuel only again, while everyone else took 2 tires and fuel.
"Guys, the tires are not gonna make it." The Duke said.
#10 Radio: They will make it. Trust us
LAP 200/260 Leader: Duke of Flappington
GREEN FLAG
The Duke got a good restart and was able to clear Shade and hold on to the lead.
LAP 209/260 Leader: Duke of Flappington The Duke had everything under control keeping Ryder and Shade behind them, but what he feared for many laps, finally happened.
Commentary: TROUBLE TURN 4! THE DUKE GOES AROUND. THE TIRE BLEW OUT! RYDER HAS NOWHERE TO GO! THE 2 LEADERS HAVE CRASHED, AND 3 MORE CARS ARE INVOLVED. IT'S TRACKER, LEO, AND EVEREST.
#10 Radio: Duke, let us know if you're alright.
"I TOLD YOU GUYS TO PIT TIRES ON! SCREW YOU GUYS!" The Duke shouted. "Ohhh… that was a hard hit."
#5 Radio: Ryder, are you alright?
"I'm fine. Is the Duke ok?" Ryder asked.
#5 Radio: Yeah he's fine. He's gotten out.
#99 Radio: Tracker how's the car? "Right front is freaking destruido! Destroyed!" Tracker groaned.
#45 Radio: Everest, are you ok?
"I'm fine. I didn't spin, just took a small hit to the nose. Car feels fine." Everest replied.
#45 Radio: Yeah no visible damage from what I can see. You're good.
#31 Radio: Leo what's the situation.
"Steering is fine, but I feel the damage." Leo replied.
#31 Radio: Come down pit road. Maybe we can fix it.
LAP 217/260 Leader: Shade
GREEN FLAG
Shade with a push from Everest behind would clear the lead and stay there.
"I want to draft with Shade until the white flag. Ask her if she's ok doing that." Everest said.
#45 Radio: Yep. We're on it Everest.
#6 Radio: Shade, the #45 want to draft with you until the end. "Alright. Gives us both a better chance of winning." Shade replied.
LAP 227/260 Leader: Shade
Rubble on the inside with the help from his Penske teammates would get side by side with Shade for the lead.
#22 Radio: Come on Rubble, give it everything you got!
Rubble would get the lead, but could not clear Shade to secure it and would remain side by side.
LAP 231/260 Leader: Rubble
The inside line's momentum would fade away as Rubble could not get the lead and Shade with the help from Everest would get back the lead.
#6 Radio: That inside line is fading. This is perfect for us.
"Nice!" Shade exclaimed.
LAP 259/260 Leader: Shade
With 2 laps to go, it was smooth sailing for Shade at the front. Further back, Skye made a move to try and charge for the lead.
Commentary: Skye goes to the inside of Everest! Skye now moves up into 2nd place!
But because Skye made that move, it brought the inside line back into play with Rubble knocking on the door.
LAP 260/260 Leader: Shade
WHITE FLAG
Shade took the white flag, but Rubble had a huge run and was back up to second place.
#6 Radio: BLOCK INSIDE! #22 GOING HIGH! BLOCK! BLOCK!
Rubble would get to the outside of Shade and would be side by side going down the back straightaway.
#22 Radio: #6 even with you. You've got the #20 helping you.
Skye pushed Rubble to clear Shade and Rubble could see the checkered flag in sight.
"NO I'M SORRY GUYS!" Shade shouted.
Commentary: OUT OF TURN 4, RUBBLE HAS LED THE MOST LAPS TODAY, AND HE'LL LEAD ONE MORE TO WIN AT ATLANTA!
#22 Radio: Checkered flag Rubble! What a charge!
"HELL YEAH! WE ARE EATING GOOD TONIGHT!" Rubble exclaimed.
#6 Radio: Shade, you can be proud of what you've done in this race. You did everything right.
"Thanks guys. We were so close to winning." Shade said
#7 Radio: Alex, that's P4. Great job. "Ha ha! Let's get it! Thanks guys for the fast car!" Alex exclaimed.
#45 Radio: Everest, that's another top 5. Excellent work. Marshall in 6th. I think you know that.
"I thought one of us Toyotas would win for sure. Good job all around!" Everest said
#11 Radio: Good run Marshall. 6th place. Everest finished 5th if you wanted to know that.
"First time we've finished next to each other right?" Marshall asked.
#11 Radio: Correct Marshall.
#43 Radio: Rex, you went from 18th to 8th in one lap. That's unbelievable.
"I did what I could. Also it's about time that we got a good finish." Rex said
#54 Radio: 9th place Coral. Great run!
"Thanks guys. Hope everyone in Puplantis was watching that!" Coral exclaimed.
Rubble would celebrate doing burnouts on the start/finish line and celebrated doing a feeding gesture with his right paw.
Reporter: Rubble, you led 140 out of 260 laps today. You dominated this race. What does this mean for you considering you're the defending champion?
"This is huge. It proves that this #22 Ford Mustang is fast every race and this is the first of a few wins this season. Y'all better feed me, cuz I'm hungry for more wins this season! WOOOOOO!" Rubble exclaimed.
RESULTS
1st #22 Rubble
2nd #6 Shade
3rd #20 Skye
4th #7 Alex
5th #45 Everest
6th #11 Marshall
7th #12 Ella
8th #43 Rex
9th #54 Coral
10th #8 Rocky
11th #2 Tuck
12th #42 Moby
13th #1 Sweetie
14th #48 Mayor Humdinger
15th #38 Al
16th #16 Wildcat
17th #47 Wheeler
18th #9 Ben Allen
9th #19 Liberty
20th #3 Harold Humdinger
21st #34 Hubcap
22nd #31 Leo
23rd #77 Copycat
24th #14 The Cheetah (-1)
25th #51 Sid Swashbuckle (-2)
26th #15 Mix (-2)
27th #23 Claw (-5)
28th #41 Gasket (-16)
29th #99 Tracker (DNF)
30th #10 Duke of Flappington (DNF)
31st #5 Ryder (DNF)
32nd #24 Arrby (DNF)
33rd #4 Zuma (DNF)
34th #21 Dwayne (DNF)
35th #17 Rory (DNF)
36th #78 Ladybird (DNF)