Location: Darlington Speedway, South Carolina
Track type: Oval
It was now throwback weekend for the NASCAR Cup Series and some pups decided to throw it back to the past. Some pups included Skye deciding to run a special paint scheme showing her Jet to the Rescue moment a few years ago, Chase throwing it back to his first ever Mission PAW moment when he wore a tux, and his fire suit was a tux, and Rocky brought back the faux hawk he had with Katie when he won the Puptacular.
FRIDAY (#11 HAULER)
Marshall was in his hauler, watching the finish over and over again still trying to see if he really was at fault with the crash with Ryder on the last lap at Kansas last week.
"Maybe if… No, he came down on me. But… did I leave him space-" Marshall stuttered.
Suddenly a doorbell ring interrupted his problem thinking. Marshall walked over to the door and was surprised to see who it was.
"Hey Marshy!" Everest smiled.
"Oh. Hey Eve." Marshall spoke, trying to sound enthusiastic. "Come on in."
The 2 pups walked inside as they continued their conversation.
"Are you ok? You look a little down." Everest asked, a little concerned.
"I'm fine, it's just that I can't help but feel guilty about what happened on the last lap at Kansas." The Dalmatian said.
"Marshall. I've seen the finish too, and I don't think you did anything wrong. You had the faster car, Ryder got in the wall and came across your nose. There's nothing we can do to change what happened. Lighten up Marshall, I mean you won the race, you're in the playoffs with me! Doesn't that excite you?" Everest asked.
Suddenly a small smile grew on Marshall's face knowing Everest was telling the truth.
"Yeah, you're right, Everest. Hey, what's your throwback for this race?" Marshall asked.
"I don't have a throwback scheme, but I decided to wear my beanie from when I was a pup." The husky answered with her beanie on.
Marshall didn't even notice Everest was wearing her beanie this whole time. She never wore her beanie during the race, but the beanie was given as a gift from her parents in the South Pole and she's had it ever since.
"I remember like it was yesterday when we were young pups." Marshall said, nuzzling Everest.
"So what's your throwback?" Everest asked.
"Oh right!" Marshall exclaimed as he got his phone to show Everest his scheme.
It was a black and red scheme throwing it back to his Ultimate Rescue days, more specifically when they stopped the robot dinosaur for a movie.
"Oh my God! That car looks incredible!" Everest exclaimed.
"Thanks Everest." Marshall said.
Suddenly another knock came from the hauler door. Marshall went to answer it and it was Chase.
"Hey Chase!" Marshall happily exclaimed.
"Hey Marshall. Some other pups and I are planning to hang out tonight. I was wondering if you and Everest wanted to come?" Chase asked.
"Absolutely!" Everest answered. "Come on Marshall, let's go!"
And the trio went to hang out together with their friends.
SATURDAY (QUALIFYING)
Commentary: We're at qualifying and currently Claw is on pole, but there's only 2 cars left: the #19 and the #5.
#19 Radio: It's crunch time Liberty.
Commentary: Her time is looking good right now. She drives it into 3 and 4, and she crosses the line, she does it! Put Liberty on provisional pole!
#19 Radio: You have the pole currently. One car to go.
Commentary: And Ryder is coming on his hot lap, and he's losing time to Liberty and he'll come out of turn 4 to cross the line, 7th overall, and Liberty is on pole for Darlington!
#19 Radio: That's pole position. Good job girl!
"Yes guys! Thank y'all for the fast car! Let's make it work." Liberty told her team.
SUNDAY (RACE DAY)
STARTING LINEUP
#19 2. #23 3. #47 4. #24 5. #1 6. #99 7. #5 8. #11 9. #45 10. #6
11. #12 12. #8 13. #54 14. #21 15. #22 16. #20 17. #10 18. #3 19. #34 20. #4
21. #9 22. #31 23. #48 24. #38 25. #2 26. #51 27. #17 28. #43 29. #42 30. #16
31. #14 32. #41 33. #77 34. #7 35. #78 36. #15
STAGES: 90/95/98
PRE-RACE Marshall and Rocky decided to take a picture together with Marshall in a new black and red fire suit and wearing his firefighter hat, and Rocky in his normal green fire suit with the faux hawk.
"Go kick ass out there Marsh." Rocky said.
"You too man. Have fun out there as well." Marshall said, as he took off his firefighter hat to put on his racing helmet.
PACE LAPS
#23 Radio: Claw, try and get a good jump on the #19. You'll have the inside here.
#19 Radio: You'll have the #23 on your inside here, get a good launch here.
GREEN FLAG
Commentary: Green flag is out here at Darlington, and Claw gets an excellent jump and he's side by side with Liberty off of turn 2!
Claw would continue to put the pressure and actually lead the first lap of the race barely ahead of Liberty.
LAP 2/293 Leader: Claw
Commentary: Claw leads the first lap and as they go into turn 1, Liberty gets a big run on the outside, and the pole sitter goes back to the lead at Darlington!
#19 Radio: Good job Liberty. Focus on your race now.
LAP 38/293 Leader: Liberty
Liberty was already over 4 seconds ahead of the field and was obviously the best car currently, one car further back was losing positions in a hurry.
"I've got a tire going down!" Marshall panicked.
#11 Radio: Try and hang in there for 5 more laps!
Commentary: We got one car blowing up! It's the #15 of Mix, and her day is gonna end early here at Darlington.
CAUTION
#11 Radio: Caution's out. God, we are so lucky.
Everyone came to pit road for new tires and Liberty was able to keep the race lead. Tracker got caught speeding and it was a shame because he was running in the top 10.
#99 Radio: Tracker, you were speeding amigo.
"¡Dispara! Sorry guys." The potcake said.
LAP 44/293 Leader: Liberty
GREEN FLAG
Liberty would get a great restart and not look back at all as Claw would stay in 2nd.
LAP 79/293 Leader: Liberty
Arrby was currently the fastest car on the track and was catching Claw.
#24 Radio: Get around him here.
Commentary: And Arrby looks to the inside, they'll go into turn 1, and Arrby gets by Claw for 2nd place.
"Yes boys!" Arrby exclaimed.
#24 Radio: Nice job. Hold position until the end of stage 1.
LAP 90/293 Leader: Liberty
While Arrby was the fastest car currently, there was no stopping the speed and dominance of Liberty.
Commentary: She has led all but the first lap, and as she comes out of turn 4, Liberty will win stage 1 in dominating fashion.
LAP 91/293 Leader: Liberty
CAUTION
#19 Radio: Green checkered here. Good job Liberty.
"Thanks guys. We definitely have a car capable of winning today." Liberty replied.
LAP 94/293 Leader: Liberty
Everyone came down to pit road, and in no surprise, Liberty kept the race lead. LAP 99/293 Leader: Liberty
GREEN FLAG
Liberty would show why she dominated stage 1 and pulled away from Arrby and the rest of the field.
LAP 138/293 Leader: Liberty
#19 Radio: In this lap Liberty. In this lap
"10-4." Liberty told her team.
#1 Radio: Pit this time Sweetie. Follow the #19.
"Got it." Sweetie replied.
Commentary: This needs to be perfect for both the #19 and the #1. Both have exceptional pit stops, but it's the #19 who will keep the lead of the race.
#19 Radio: Nice job. Get back into your rhythm Liberty.
LAP 151/293 Leader: Liberty
Sweetie was actually the fastest car on the track and believe it or not, was able to chase down Liberty.
Commentary: Sweetie is trying to do what no one has been able to do: pass Liberty for the race lead, and she's going for it and gets it! We finally have a new leader at Darlington, and it's Sweetie!
#1 Radio: Excellent work Sweetie. Build a gap now.
#19 Radio: Save your tires and get her back Libby. You can do it.
LAP 181/293 Leader: Sweetie
With 5 laps to go, the battle was definitely heating up for the stage win. Meanwhile, Ben was having a bit of a struggle in the midfield.
Commentary: We got a car in the wall in turn 2, it's the #48 of Ben Allen, and he keeps on running. We stay green.
#48 Radio: How's the car Ben?
"It feels like something broke!" Ben complained
#48 Radio: Just get it to the stage end and we'll take a look at it.
LAP 185/293 Leader: Sweetie
Liberty would indeed catch up right to the bumper of Sweetie to start the final lap of stage 2, and it was a battle down to the wire.
Commentary: Down the backstretch they come. Liberty's gonna make a move in turn 3! She moves Sweetie up the track! Sweetie is in the wall! Liberty goes around as she tried to pass! Sweetie is gonna win stage 2, but how much damage has been done to her car when she hit the wall?
CAUTION
#1 Radio: Just bring it across the line. How's the car?
LAP 186/293 Leader: Sweetie
"The car is fine, but that was such a dumb move! She was never going to make the corner!" Sweetie told her crew chief.
"I'm sorry guys. I got greedy there." Liberty apologized.
LAP 189/293 Leader: Sweetie
Everyone came down pit road and got 4 fresh tires and fuel and it would end up being Ryder taking the lead of the race.
#5 Radio: Alright, we got you the lead. Now keep it Ryder. "Copy team." Ryder replied.
LAP 194/293 Leader: Ryder
GREEN FLAG
Commentary: Ryder and Sweetie are side by side on the backstretch, AND THEY'RE CRASHING! HUGE CRASH! REX GOES AROUND WITH HUBCAP, TUCK, TRACKER, AND OTHERS CARS SPINNING!
CAUTION
#43 Radio: What happened Rex?
"I lost a tire or something. I don't feel anything on the right rear." Rex said as he felt the car wasn't right.
#43 Radio: We must have not gotten the right rear tire locked in when we made our pit stop.
#99 Radio: Tracker, the car doesn't look good from here.
"It's killed. Terminado." Tracker replied.
#3 Radio: It's skewed Harold. Just take it to the garage.
"I hate my luck this year." Harold grumbled.
"GODDAMNIT! HAD NOWHERE TO GO!" Hubcap shouted.
#34 Radio: Yeah, you can drop the window net. We're done.
LAP 202/293 Leader: Ryder
GREEN FLAG
Ryder was able to clear Sweetie going into turn 1 and would keep the lead
#1 Radio: Stay with him Sweetie. Try and get him next lap
LAP 203/293 Leader: Ryder
Commentary: Sweetie is all over the bumper of Ryder- She makes the move on the inside. The #1 car is back in front at Darlington!
#1 Radio: Nice job Sweetie. Drive away now.
LAP 210/293 Leader: Sweetie
"I've got a tire down!" Wheeler panicked.
#47 Radio: Bring it to the pits Wheeler and we'll change it.
Commentary: Trouble turn 4! Wheeler who was running 8th has gone around and that will put us back under caution.
CAUTION
"I'm sorry guys. I tried my best to keep it from spinning." Wheeler apologized.
LAP 212/293 Leader: Sweetie
All the lead lap cars came down pit road for four tires and fuel and Sweetie maintained the lead with Rocky, Arrby and Ryder following.
LAP 216/293 Leader: Sweetie
GREEN FLAG
Commentary: Green flag is back out and Sweetie gets a great restart on the outside and has cleared Rocky going into turn 1!
#1 Radio: Excellent job. Build a gap now.
LAP 219/293 Leader: Sweetie
Commentary: We got a car in the wall, it's Rocky who was running 2nd has fallen to 4th, but we stay green.
#8 Radio: How's the car Rocky? "It's fine, but I just overdrove it." The mix replied
LAP 246/293 Leader: Sweetie
#5 Radio: Pit Ryder. We're gonna try to beat Sweetie.
Commentary: It's gotta be a perfect stop for Ryder's crew, and it's a 9 second pit stop! Exactly what they needed!
LAP 247/293 Leader: Sweetie
#1 Radio: Pit Sweetie
#24 Radio: Follow the #1. We're gonna try and pass her.
Commentary: Here come the 2 leaders, and they make their pit stops, Sweetie comes out well ahead of Arrby and we wait and find out if she'll be ahead of Ryder, and she goes into turn 2, no she won't! Ryder gets ahead of Sweetie on the pit stops!
#5 Radio: You're ahead of the #1. You'll be the leader when the pit stop cycle is complete.
LAP 255/293 Leader: Marshall
Marshall was having an atrocious day and stayed out betting on a caution to come out for track position.
#11 Radio: We're gonna have to pit in 8 laps Marshall, so be aware of that.
"Copy team." Marshall said, a little frustrated.
LAP 263/293 Leader: Marshall
#11 Radio: Pit this lap Marshall. I'm sorry.
"I understand." Marshall spoke as he drove his car for his pit stop.
With Marshall finally making his pit stop, Ryder claimed the race lead with 31 laps to go.
LAP 276/293 Leader: Ryder
Commentary: We got trouble in turn 4! Charger has spun out on his own and we have a late race caution!
CAUTION
#51 Radio: Are you okay?
"I'm fine." Charged replied.
LAP 277/293 Leader: Ryder
Everyone came down pit road for their final pit stop. Ryder maintained the lead with Skye having a phenomenal stop going up to 2nd and Sweetie behind in 3rd. Rocky came in 4th, but had to back up into his pit box and fell to 18th.
LAP 278/293 Leader: Ryder
#20 Radio: Skye, we think we have a loose wheel. You need to come back into the pits. We're so sorry.
"You had one job team. One job." Skye growled on the radio.
LAP 281/293 Leader: Ryder
GREEN FLAG
Ryder and Sweetie got away evenly and it was a drag race in turn 1.
Commentary: It's a dead heat into turn 1, AND THEY'RE CRASHING! LIBERTY GETS TURNED, RUBBLE, THE DUKE, EVEREST, SHADE AND OTHERS CRASHING! IT'S THE BIG ONE AT DARLINGTON!
CAUTION
"I'm so sorry guys. I didn't see Rubble on my outside." Liberty apologized.
#19 Radio: You can shut off the car, we're done.
"Come on Liberty!" Rubble shouted in frustration.
#22 Radio: Bring it to the pits. Maybe we can fix it
"I've got damage, I had nowhere to go." Everest told her team.
"I have damage." Zuma calmly said.
#4 Radio: Don't come in the pits. It looks okay from here.
"I don't understand this." The Duke said in disappointment.
LAP 282/293 Leader: Sweetie
Sweetie was ruled the leader when the caution came out, but Ryder put her in the wall and she was not happy.
#1 Radio: Do not focus on the #5. This is your race to win Sweetie.
"I know exactly what I'm gonna do." Sweetie confidently said.
#5 Radio: Do what you gotta do here Ryder.
LAP 288/293 Leader: Sweetie
GREEN FLAG Commentary:
Sweetie and Ryder both get away well, and Ryder is charging on the outside, Sweetie moves him up- AND THEY CRASH! SWEETIE TAKES RYDER AND HERSELF OUT! UNBELIEVABLE!
CAUTION
#1 Radio: You have to be the biggest idiot I've ever seen. You didn't like what he did on the last restart, so you wall him.
No comment from Sweetie.
#5 Radio: That's twice she's done that to us.
"I honestly should have seen that coming." Ryder replied as he drove his car to the pits for repairs.
With that crash happening, it put Arrby as the race leader, and Zuma in 2nd.
#24 Radio: Alright you're the race leader. Go finish it!
#4 Radio: Zuma, race hard, but clean. Don't do what the #1 did on that last restart.
"Copy that team." Zuma answered.
GWC ATTEMPT #1: Arrby
GREEN FLAG
Commentary: Arrby gets away well, but Zuma is trying his best on the inside!
#4 Radio: You're barely ahead, #24 still with you.
Commentary: Zuma can't get it done! Arrby clears him on the outside! The pirate pup is about to steal another one!
#24 Radio: #4 six car lengths back, white flag here.
WHITE FLAG
Commentary: He was in the right position at the right time, and as he comes out of turn 4, Arrby will claim his 3rd win of the season at Darlington!
#24 Radio: And that's the game!
"YES! LET'S GO! MAN, WE GOT SO LUCKY!" Arrby happily exclaimed.
#24 Radio: You know what they say. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.
#4 Radio: It's okay Zuma. 2nd place. You were great all day. You should be proud of yourself.
"Thanks guys for the fast car. We'll get our win sometime." The Lab told his team.
#21 Radio: What a drive Dwayne. P6.
"Wow. Thank you guys so much. We needed this for the entire team. Let's keep this up." Dwayne said.
#31 Radio: 8th place Leo. What a lion.
"Lion strength! Thanks guys! Great car all day, and what a race!" Leo happily said.
Arrby burned it down at the start/finish line and got out of his car to stand on top of his brown and gold Chevrolet ZL1.
Reporter: It's his 3rd win of the season for the pirate pup. Arrby, do you see yourself as the championship favorite after this win?
"There's still a long season ahead of us, but we've definitely put ourselves in a great position when the playoffs start. This #24 car has been a rocket ship almost every week, and I can't thank my team enough for the fast cars I drive, and thanks to the fans for enjoying the show here at Darlington!" Arrby exclaimed.
RESULTS
1st #24 Arrby
2nd #4 Zuma
3rd #9 Chase
4th #6 Shade
5th #23 Claw
6th #21 Dwayne
7th #8 Rocky
8th #31 Leo
9th #12 Ella
10th #17 Rory
11th #38 Al
12th #11 Marshall
13th #47 Wheeler
14th #20 Skye
15th #41 Gasket
16th #54 Coral
17th #14 The Cheetah
18th #22 Rubble
19th #2 Tuck
20th #5 Ryder
21st #10 Duke of Flappington
22nd #45 Everest
23rd #16 Wildcat (-1)
24th #7 Alex (-2)
25th #43 Rex (-2)
26th #42 Moby (-2)
27th #77 Copycat (-2)
28th #51 Charger (-4)
29th #1 Sweetie (DNF)
30th #48 Ben Allen (-9)
31st #19 Liberty (DNF)
32nd #78 Ladybird (DNF)
33rd #34 Hubcap (DNF)
34th #99 Tracker (DNF)
35th #3 Harold Humdinger (DNF)
36th #15 Mix (DNF)