Location: Bristol Motor Speedway,
Tennessee Track type: Dirt track
It was time for the first night race of the season. "The Last Great Coliseum" Bristol was taking place. This race was special however. It's the only dirt track on the schedule, so it's going to be tricky for everyone to get the hang of the track. Storylines include the #51 of Sid Swashbuckle unable to race because of personal issues. Charger will drive the #51 for this race. Also appeals for Leo and Marshall did not go as planned as they both lost, so they'll have to deal with that.
SATURDAY (HEAT RACES)
Everyone was starting in random positions for the Heats. The Heat races were gonna determine everyone's qualifying positions for the race Sunday night because the further back you start, you can earn passing points. The more points you score, the better your position will be. Each Heat race is 15 laps.
ONE HOUR LATER
Everyone had completed their Heat races and the starting lineup was definitely interesting.
#5 Radio: That's pole position. Excellent job Ryder.
"Thanks guys. Let's turn this into another win tomorrow night!" Ryder replied
#3 Radio: P2 Harold. Impressive.
"About time something good happened to us." Harold said annoyed.
#15 Radio: Mix, you are starting 3rd. That's unbelievable.
"WOOOOOOOOO! YES! Let's go!" Mix squealed with joy.
SUNDAY (RACE DAY) 5:30 EST
Skye wanted to check up on Chase considering he had been sidelined for the past few weeks because of his leg injury.
"Hey Chase!" The cockapoo said.
"Hey Skye! What's up?" The German Shepherd asked.
"Nothing much. How's your leg?" Skye inquired. The cast had been removed from Chase's front left leg, but was still not cleared to race.
"It's fine. I can move it, but it sucks that I can't race." Chase explained. "Anyways, congrats on your qualifying result."
"Aw stop it Chase." Skye said as she started to blush.
"No, I'm serious Skye. I've seen what you can do on the dirt. You're amazing on this track. Go win this race tonight!" Chase said.
"Thanks Chase!" Skye exclaimed as she gave a kiss to her boyfriend and walked out of Chase's hauler.
1 1/2 HOURS LATER
STARTING LINEUP
1. #5 2. #3 3. #15 4. #20 5. #8 6. #45 7. #2 8. #41 9. #12 10. #24
11. #23 12. #22 13. #34 14. #14 15. #38 16. #1 17. #48 18. #43 19. #10 20. #21
21. #13 22. #47 23. #54 24. #51 25. #31 26. #4 27. #19 28. #17 29. #16 30. #11
31. #9 32. #77 33. #6 34. #99 35. #7 36. #42 37. #78
STAGES 75/75/100*
(*After Stages 1 and 2, there will be a red flag to change tires and laps under red flag will not count. The only chance you can change tires if it's at the end of a stage or if you have a tire down.)
#5 Radio: Time to go back to back. You have the control and… green flag!
GREEN FLAG
Ryder got on the gas and already had a good lead over the pack.
LAP 11/250 Leader: Ryder
Trouble turn 2! Claw has gone around! He collects Rubble and Al is in the outside wall and everyone keeps going.
CAUTION
#23 Radio: Are you ok Claw?
"I'm fine. Just lost it. I hate the dirt." Claw replied.
#22 Radio: You hit the water barrels on pit road Rubble, how's the car?
"Car's fine" Rubble replied.
#38 Radio: You hit the wall Al.
"No damage though. Car still feels good." Al said.
LAP 22/250 Leader: Ryder
GREEN FLAG
Ryder would once again be the class of the field and have a decent lead
LAP 30/250 Leader: Ryder
Rubble was working his way up to the field and was already up 10 spots in 27th.
#22 Radio: Good job Rubble. Keep it up.
"Thanks guys." Rubble replied.
LAP 38/250 Leader: Ryder
Commentary: We got a car spinning in turn 3! It's the #51 of Charger, and the caution is back out.
CAUTION
#51 Radio: Charger, are you ok? "I'm fine. The dirt here feels nothing like what's at Builder Co." Charger slightly laughed.
#22 Radio: Oh damn. We barely missed it.
"Cutting it close as always." Rubble replied.
LAP 46/250 Leader: Ryder GREEN FLAG
Ryder once again with a great restart held off Harold still in 2nd place, but being challenged by his teammate Rocky.
LAP 52/250 Leader: Ryder
Commentary: Rocky sends it to the inside of Harold in turn 3! He gets the pass done, but Harold uses the crossover as he gets back the position into turn 1!
"Dang it! I thought I had him." Rocky exclaimed.
#8 Radio: Stay with him Rocky. Keep putting the pressure on him.
LAP 56/250 Leader: Ryder
The #43 and the #7 were fighting in the midfield when they made contact and Rex was not happy.
"I've got a tire down! What's the #7 doing?! He just slammed into me!" Rex shouted.
#43 Radio: Yeah I don't know what's up with him.
"I slid up the track and got into him. Tell Rex I'm sorry. He's mad at me for sure." Alex said.
#7 Radio: Just keep focus Alex. Long race ahead of you.
LAP 58/250 Leader: Ryder
Commentary: We got a spinner in turn 4! It's the #6 of Shade! Looks like she went around by herself.
#6 Radio: What happened there Shade?
"I don't know. The car just snapped around." Shade explained.
LAP 65/250 Leader: Ryder
GREEN FLAG
For the 4th restart in a row, Ryder would drive away with the lead leaving everyone behind.
LAP 69/250 Leader: Ryder
The RCR teammates were still battling for position as Ryder continued to drive away.
#3 Radio: You gotta pass him here Harold.
"He's letting the #5 get away!" Harold complained.
LAP 75/250 Leader: Ryder
Everyone was coming around turn 4. Ryder had just started the final lap of the stage when everything came to a halt.
Commentary: We got one car around in turn 4! It's the #9 of Ben Allen! And another car piles in! The #11 of Marshall! Not the day the Dalmatian wanted to have and it's gone from bad to worse!
CAUTION
"COME ON BEN!" Marshall shouted in frustration.
The entire right front of Marshall's car was gone leaving the right front tire completely exposed. Fortunately, the toe link holding the tire in place was still attached.
#11 Radio: Keep your cool Marshall. We'll try and fix it.
#9 Radio: I don't know what to say, Ben.
"I got loose and spun the car. Sorry guys." Ben apologized.
Ryder came across the start/finish line to take the stage win.
#5 Radio: Green checkered. Absolute dominance Ryder.
"Let's keep pushing guys." Ryder said
RED FLAG
Nearly everyone came to pit road to change tires with the exception of 4 drivers: Everest, Claw, Liberty, and Copycat. They felt that the tires were not worn out at all and decided to stay out
#45 Radio: We trust you Everest. Go win this stage.
"I will win this stage. I promise you guys." Everest said.
LAP 76/250 Leader: Everest
GREEN FLAG
Everest got away good with her teammate Claw right behind her. For the time being, it was a 23XI 1-2.
LAP 79/250 Leader: Everest
Commentary: Ryder goes to the inside of Gasket… AND HE PUT HER IN THE WALL! GASKET IS NOT GONNA LIKE THAT.
"WHAT THE HELL RYDER?! HE JUST WALLED ME!" Gasket shouted.
#41 Radio: Calm down Gasket. Focus on yourself right now.
LAP 81/250 Leader: Everest
Commentary: Spinner in turn 4! It's the #13 car of the Whoosh, and from the looks of it, he's gone around by himself.
CAUTION
#13 Radio: Whoosh, talk to us.
"Car just snapped around. I've been fighting with this dirt all night." The Whoosh explained.
LAP 87/250 Leader: Everest
GREEN FLAG
Everest once again would get away from the field with Claw right behind her.
LAP 88/250 Leader: Everest
Commentary: One car spins on the backstretch! It's the #34 of Hubcap! He did a 360 and kept the car going! What a save!
CAUTION
"HAHA! Anyone else see that trick?" Hubcap gloated.
#34 Radio: I can't believe you're happy about spinning Hubcap. Please get your head out of your ass.
LAP 95/250 Leader: Everest
GREEN FLAG
Everest again would drive away with Claw right behind her. The two teammates would continue to lead the way.
LAP 96/250 Leader: Everest
Commentary: Got a car spinning on the backstretch! It's the #99 of Tracker! And… IS THAT SMOKE?! SMOKE COMING FROM THE #22 OF RUBBLE!
#99 Radio: Tracker, get it fired back up "This dirt amigo. It has made the track very resbalazido. Slippery." Tracker replied.
"Guys! I got an engine failure! NOOOOOOO!" Rubble shouted.
#22 Radio: Take it to the garage Rubble. We're done.
LAP 100/250 Leader: Everest
Commentary: Another car is going slow! It's the #16 of Wildcat!
"I have a tire down! I'm coming to the pits." Wildcat informed his team.
#16 Radio: We'll be ready for you Wild.
LAP 103/250 Leader: Everest
Commentary: We got a car around on the frontstretch! It's Gasket! She was running in the 8th position, and you wonder if that contact with Ryder finally broke the toe link.
CAUTION
#41 Radio: Gasket, the toe link is bent, but not broken. We can fix it.
"If I get back to the #5…" Gasket whispered with seriousness in her tone. "I'm making sure he doesn't finish this race."
LAP 112/250 Leader: Everest
GREEN FLAG
Everest continued her consistency on the restarts as she once again drove away.
LAP 126/250 Leader: Everest
Commentary: Trouble turn 2! It's Shade! And for the second time tonight, she has brought out the caution.
#6 Radio: Get it back running Shade.
"I honestly don't know what's going on guys." The feline replied.
LAP 132/250 Leader: Everest
Everest would keep the lead, but she would have Rocky who was on 4 fresh tires from the red flag.
#8 Radio: Come on Rocky. Get her here.
LAP 135/250 Leader: Everest
Commentary: Rocky dives to the inside! And takes the lead, but Everest is trying the crossover, but the outside is just too powerful! Rocky now leads at Bristol! Also here comes Harold for 2nd! Everest falls to 3rd.
"DID Y'ALL SEE THAT?! HAHA!" Rocky exclaimed.
#8 Radio: Excellent work Rocky. Drive away now.
LAP 141/250 Leader: Rocky
Rocky was starting to cruise to the stage win, but he made a mistake, and Harold got to the inside thinking he would get the lead, but the husky behind said otherwise
Commentary: Rocky slides up! Here comes Harold… AND EVEREST! 3-WIDE FOR THE LEAD INTO TURN 1. EVEREST IS BACK IN FRONT!
"Guys, I'm sorry I got loose" Rocky apologized.
#8 Radio: Stay on them Rocky. They might make a mistake.
"What was the #8 going?! HE COST US THE STAGE WIN" Harold roared.
#3 Radio: He got loose Harold. Calm down.
LAP 150/250 Leader: Everest
With the RCR teammate mishap. Everest would take stage 2.
#45 Radio: We needed a little luck, but we got it. Good job Everest.
"Thanks guys. Let's put fresh tires on and finish this race!" Everest happily replied.
RED FLAG
9 cars stayed out to try and make it to the end because they had already pitted under the first red flag. The #20, #14, #10, #24, #34, #38, #11, #9, and the #1.
#20 Radio: Alright Skye. You gotta lead 100 laps. You can do this.
LAP 151/250 Leader: Skye
GREEN FLAG Skye got clear of the Cheetah and was pulling away.
LAP 154/250 Leader: Skye
Commentary: TROUBLE TURN 4! RYDER HAS GONE AROUND! OH NO! CAUTION
#5 Radio: Talk to us Ryder.
"I'm sorry guys. I got loose and spun out. That's 100% on me." Ryder groaned.
LAP 162/250 Leader: Skye
GREEN FLAG
Skye once again got away with the lead but the cheating Cheetah was right behind her. She will do whatever it takes to win
#14 Radio: You can take your time with her Cheetah.
"That pup is going down! Hahaha!" The Cheetah cackled.
LAP 169/250 Leader: Skye
Trouble turn 2! The #11 of Marshall has gone around all by himself. This has not been the dally's day at all.
"How has it gone this bad?" Marshall asked himself.
LAP 174/250 Leader: Skye
Ryder was trying to make up as many positions as he could. However, the car he was passing next, didn't forget what he did.
#41 Radio: You got the #5 right behind you.
"He's not running another lap." Gasket replied. Ryder went to the outside to pass Gasket but the Malamute was not having it. She would ram into the side of Ryder's car, not once, not twice, not three, but 4 times down the frontstretch, and going into turn 1, it ended.
Commentary: THEY'RE HITTING EACH OTHER! THE #41 AND THE #5, AND RYDER GOES AROUND! HE TRIED TO WRECK GASKET! HARD INTO THE OUTSIDE WALL! THE WHOOSH ALSO GETS COLLECTED!
CAUTION
"Yep. I told you I'd get him back." Gasket calmly said.
#5 Radio: She just wrecked us. We're done Ryder.
"No words." Ryder said as he got out of his car.
Ryder got out of his car and gave a gesture that the TV crew wished they did not get live on the air.
"Did- did he just flip me the bird?" Gasket asked, a little shocked.
#41 Radio: Affirmative.
#13 Radio: Whoosh how's the car? "I think something's broken man." The Whoosh replied.
#13 Radio: Take it to the garage. Sorry man.
LAP 181/250 Leader: Skye
GREEN FLAG
Skye would once again come away with the race lead with the Cheetah with Al in 3rd.
LAP 195/250 Leader: Skye
"Where's Everest?" Skye asked her team
#20 Radio: #45 is P6 right now.
"I better keep an eye on her. She's the fastest car right now." Skye nervously said.
#20 Radio: Just keep your calm Skye. She's not there yet.
LAP 201/250 Leader: Skye
Commentary: We got trouble in turn 1! Moby has lost the car by himself and the caution will come back out.
CAUTION
#42 Radio: Moby, talk to us.
"I hate my luck, I hate this car, I hate everything!" Moby shouted.
LAP 207/250 Leader: Skye
GREEN FLAG
Skye with no problem would keep the lead and would build a nice gap over the Cheetah.
LAP 217/250 Leader: Skye
Skye had the Cheetah right on her bumper and Everest was right behind her. And if that wasn't bad enough, Skye's car was getting really loose and nearly hit the wall every lap.
#20 Radio: Skye, I know you're struggling with the car, but you're doing a great job.
"Thanks guys. I will win this race." Skye promised.
LAP 222/250 Leader: Skye
Everest who was running 3rd made a bold move on the Cheetah to take 2nd place away.
Commentary: Everest drives it into turn 3, and SHE PUT HER IN THE WALL! WOW! EVEREST TAKES 2ND PLACE! THE CHEETAH FALLS TO 3RD!
"Shoot! I'm sorry about that!" Everest apologized.
#45 Radio: Don't sweat it Everest. You got the move done. Now go chase down the #20.
#14 Radio: #45 inside. She just put us in the wall, what the hell?!
"NOOOOOO! If I get back to her, I'm wrecking her!" The Cheetah shouted
LAP 235/250 Leader: Skye
Commentary: Trouble turn 4! Rocky has spun by himself onto pit road and the caution has come out.
CAUTION
#8 Radio: Rocky what happened?
"Something on the right side doesn't feel right! I think a shock broke!" Rocky complained.
#8 Radio: Take it to the garage. We're done.
When everyone came to the choose rule. Skye chose the outside as did Everest. Ella, who got third before the caution came out, chose the inside lane as well as the Cheetah.
#20 Radio: 8 laps to go when you take the green. Finish this Skye.
#12 Radio: Ella, time to play spoiler.
#14 Radio: Do what you gotta do Cheetah.
#45 Radio: You'll have the outside Everest. Go win this.
LAP 243/250 Leader: Skye
GREEN FLAG
Commentary: Green flag is back out Skye goes into turn 1, Ella on the inside, AND NO! ELLA GOT TURNED! SHE WAS LOOKING AT A GREAT FINISH, AND THE CHEETAH HAS RUINED IT!
"THE CHEETAH IS SUCH A SORE LOSER!" Ella shouted.
However, Ella spinning would not bring out the caution and we would stay green.
LAP 249/250 Leader: Skye
Everest kept closing in as Skye continued to get loose and nearly hitting the wall every lap, but chaos further back struck.
Commentary: We got cars crashing on the backstretch! The #99 goes around. The #1 goes airborne, but comes back on 4 wheels, and the #9 are destroyed! But we stay green.
"NOOOO!" Tracker shouted.
#9 Radio: I'm sorry Ben. Just limp it home.
#1 Radio: Sweetie, are you ok?
"Augh…. I'm fine." The terrier groaned.
Fortunately for the aviator pup, there were just 4 more corners left.
#20 Radio: #45 is 2 car lengths behind, white flag here Skye.
LAP 250/250 Leader: Skye
WHITE FLAG
This was it. Skye vs Everest for the win. Everest was right on the bumper of Skye.
#45 Radio: Send it into 3 Everest.
Everest was about to make the move for the win until…
CAUTION
Sweetie had stopped on the race track as she could not get it going in the middle of turns 3 and 4 blocking the middle of the corners.
#20 Radio: Caution is out! Bring it home Skye!
Commentary: Caution's out! And as they come out of turn 4, Skye will win her first race of 2023, and it comes at Bristol Dirt!
#20 Radio: That's the checkered flag Skye! YOU'RE THE WINNER!
"YIP YIP! YES! Thanks everyone for believing in me!" Skye exclaimed.
#20 Radio (Chase): Skye I knew you could do it! Enjoy this win babe!
"CHASE! THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!" Skye squealed.
#45 Radio: Ah Everest. I'm sorry about that. 2nd place.
"It's fine. Glad to see my best friend win!" Everest said with a smile.
#3 Radio: P3 Harold. Good job all day.
"All thanks to my teammate. What an idiot." Harold grumbled.
#31 Radio: 6th place Leo. Great job.
"Thanks guys. Let's keep pushing." The feline replied.
#54 Radio: Coral, that is your 4th top 10 in a row. Great job.
"Fin-tastic job today everyone! Thanks for the fast car!" Coral happily exclaimed.
Because of dirt, Skye could not get a burnout done, but that wouldn't stop her from celebrating. Skye would climb out on the roof of her pink Camry and do a backflip off the car, inspired by Carl Edwards, landing perfectly on her paws and celebrating with her checkered flag as she jumped on the hood of her car.
Reporter: Skye, you were able to hold off Everest in those closing laps. How were you able to deal with the struggles of your car?
"I just went out there and did the best I could. Our qualifying result was great and I knew this was a car capable of winning. Everest gave me everything at the end and I wish that caution didn't come out. She was giving me a great battle for the win, but we got it and now it's time to celebrate! YIP YIP YIP! "Skye exclaimed as she did another backflip.
RESULTS
1st #20 Skye
2nd #45 Everest
3rd #3 Harold Humdinger
4th #47 Wheeler
5th #14 The Cheetah
6th #31 Leo
7th #19 Liberty
8th #38 Al
9th #4 Zuma
10th #54 Coral
11th #34 Hubcap
12th #23 Claw
13th #24 Arrby
14th #43 Rex
15th #21 Dwayne
16th #16 Wildcat
17th #6 Shade
18th #17 Rory
19th #2 Tuck
20th #15 Mix
21st #77 Copycat
22nd #11 Marshall
23rd #12 Ella
24th #41 Gasket
25th #99 Tracker
26th #78 Ladybird
27th #9 Ben Allen
28th #1 Sweetie (-1)
29th #48 Mayor Humdinger (-2)
30th #7 Alex (-3)
31st #10 Duke of Flappington (-10)
32nd #8 Rocky (DNF)
33rd #42 Moby (-45)
34th #51 Charger (DNF)
35th #5 Ryder (DNF)
36th #13 The Whoosh (DNF)
37th #22 Rubble (DNF)