PLAYOFF CUTOFF
15th #23 Claw +26
16th #48 Mayor Humdinger +3
—
17th #99 Tracker -3
18th #54 Coral -11
19th #34 Hubcap -14
20th #16 Wildcat -33
21st #2 Tuck -39
22nd #7 Alex -40
Location: Nashville Superspeedway, Tennessee
Track type: Oval
Commentators: Rick Allen, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jeff Burton
With 10 races left to go in the regular season, things were gonna pick up in a hurry. The points are so close that anything can happen. The next race was taking place in the Music City: Nashville Superspeedway at Tennessee. A 1.33 mile oval that would take place in the nighttime.
Rick: Welcome to the PAW Patrol NASCAR Cup Series on NBC. I'm Rick Allen, and alongside me are Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Burton. Guys, it's great to be back here on NBC.
Dale: Thank you Rick, it's great to be back here on NBC and the racing has been nothing less than entertaining this season.
Jeff: I agree and if you take a look at the cutline, you'll see it's gonna go down to the wire on who makes the playoffs, and you also gotta remember: win and you're in.
QUALIFYING
Dale Jr: Trouble off turn 4! Tracker has lost it on his own and that'll be a backup car for sure.
Jeff: It seems he got on the throttle too early, and it just spun from underneath him.
#99 Radio: Are you okay Tracker?
"Estoy bien." The potcake replied.
Qualifying continued on and Sweetie was on course for her first pole position start in NASCAR, but there was a fast #23 on a hot lap.
Rick: Claw is so far beating Sweetie's time as he comes into turn 3! Loses a little into 4, AND HE'S AROUND! CLAW HAD THE POLE IN SIGHT AND LOST IT! SWEETIE IS ON POLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HER CAREER!
#23 Radio: Get it back rolling Claw.
"GAHHHHHH! I'm so sorry guys!" The Doberman apologized.
"Is that it?!" Sweetie asked excitedly.
#1 Radio: That's it Sweetie! You've done it!
"HAHAHA! I promise I won't let this one get away from me!" Sweetie cackled.
SUNDAY (RACE DAY)
STARTING LINEUP
#1. #1. 2. #45 3. #31 4. #22 5. #24 6. #19 7. #5 8. #11 9. #23 10. #99*
11. #8 12. #17 13. #12 14. #9 15. #48 16. #54 17. #4 18. #14 19. #16 20. #6
21. #10 22. #20 23. #43 24. #2 25. #41 26. #3 27. #38 28. #47 29. #51 30. #42
31. #21 32. #15 33. #34 34. #77 35. #78 36. #7
STAGES: 90/95/115
#1 Radio: #45 will try to beat you here, and green flag Sweetie.
GREEN FLAG
Dale Jr.: We're racing in the Music City! Sweetie gets an excellent start on the inside with the push from Leo behind her and he's trying to challenge Everest for 2nd!
#1 Radio: Clear by one. #45 is battling the #31 at the moment.
Rick: Everest on the outside, and she's able to clear Leo and everyone settles in as Sweetie leads the first lap.
LAP 16/300 Leader: Sweetie
Jeff: Someone's going slow in turn 3! It's the #8 car of Rocky, and he's coming to pit road early.
"I've got a tire going down!" Rocky panicked.
#8 Radio: Pit this lap Rocky. Rick: He's gonna lose at least one, maybe two laps here. He'll be lucky if those tires make it to the end of stage 1.
LAP 42/300 Leader: Sweetie
Nearing halfway through stage 1, the front runners knew it was time for their first pit stop.
#19 Radio: In this lap Liberty.
#11 Radio: Pit this time Marshall.
Jeff: Here comes Liberty and Marshall into the pits, and both of their cars look good so far and they are both away with Liberty staying ahead.
LAP 43/300 Leader: Sweetie
#45 Radio: #1 is pitting this lap, follow her Everest.
"Got it guys." The husky replied.
Dale Jr.: And now here come the top 2 drivers for their pit stop. Everest's crew was quick, but Sweetie is still waiting to get going!
"HURRY GUYS!" The terrier shouted.
Rick: Everest with a better pit stop, but Sweetie barely stays ahead as they come off of pit road. The gap was 1.9 seconds when they came in, it's only half a second now!
LAP 61/300 Leader: Sweetie
#45 Radio: Pass her when you can.
"No problem." Everest replied.
Dale Jr.: Here comes the #42 of Moby who's trying to stay on the lead lap, Sweetie is struggling-
Rick: Here comes the #45! Everest took advantage of the lapped car, and is now in the lead!
"REALLY MOBY?! AUGHHHHH!" The terrier shouted.
LAP 90/300 Leader: Everest
Once Everest got the lead, there was no challenge from behind and she would cruise to the stage one victory.
#45 Radio: No pressure from behind, green checkered here.
Rick: As she comes off of turn 4, Everest will win stage 1!
LAP 91/300 Leader: Everest
CAUTION
#45 Radio: Great job as always Everest.
"Thanks guys." The husky replied.
LAP 93/300 Leader: Everest
Everyone would come to pit road and it would be Arrby's pit crew getting him into the top position with Sweetie in second place and Everest dropping to 4th with Liberty in 3rd.
LAP 98/300 Leader: Arrby
GREEN FLAG
As soon as they took the green flag, the fun was starting to pick up!
Rick: Here they come into turn 1, Arrby on the outside, but Sweetie is challenging hard on the inside. Here comes Liberty to make it 3-wide on the inside for the race lead!
#1 Radio: #19 inside, #24 still on your outside.
Jeff: Wow, this is amazing! They came off of turn 4, and are still side by side with one another!
LAP 99/300 Leader: Sweetie
#24 Radio: #19 and #1 are still alongside you.
Dale Jr.: I can't believe what we are witnessing! Not one of the 3 cars can get an advantage over the other! They've been 3 wide for almost 2 full laps- OUT OF 4, THEY'RE STILL 3 WIDE!
LAP 100/300 Leader: Liberty
#19 Radio: Come on Liberty, you can take it.
Jeff: These three have been putting on a great battle, but Liberty sends it, and clears Sweetie and Arrby!
#24 Radio: Settle in Arrby. You'll get her back.
"10-4 crew chief sir!" The pirate pup replied.
LAP 136/300 Leader: Liberty
Everest was able to get back to 2nd place, but green flag pit stops were about to commence.
Rick: And here comes the #45 for her pit stop. Everest stops in her box, and the crew is doing a great job, and she's away.
"Hey, the car doesn't feel right." Everest said, concerned.
#45 Radio: Give us a minute here Everest.
LAP 138/300 Leader: Marshall
Rick: We got a car spinning in turn 4! It's Everest who just made her pit stop and the right rear tire has come off that car.
CAUTION
#45 Radio: Oops…
"REALLY GUYS?!" Everest shouted in frustration.
What was interesting about this was that Marshall, Claw, and Shade hadn't made their pit stops yet, and they had many cars one lap down except for Liberty, so Liberty will get the lead, and everyone will take the wave around to get back on the lead lap.
#11 Radio: This is great timing Marshall. You'll be in second place after your pit stop.
"Good to know guys." The Dally replied
LAP 147/300 Leader: Liberty
GREEN FLAG
Dale Jr: Oh! Shade is dropping back like a rock! She did not get going- WE GOT A CRASH! The #12 of Ella and the #8 of Rocky! Mayor Humdinger might have some damage as well!
Rick: And Ella smashes the concrete wall hard on the inside of the track!
CAUTION
#8 Radio: Get the car back rolling. Are you okay Rocky? "I'm fine, I didn't hit anything." The mix replied.
#12 Radio: That looked bad Ella.
"I don't know if I'm okay. I need help getting out." Ella whimpered.
Safety workers ran over to check on the golden retriever. While she needed help getting out, she was able to walk under her own power.
"Is Ella okay?!" Tuck nervously asked.
#2 Radio: She's a little shaken up, but she's okay.
LAP 153/300 Leader: Liberty
GREEN FLAG
Rick: We're back under the green flag, Liberty on the inside, Marshall on the outside. Side by side as they exit turn 2!
#11 Radio: You're the better car Marshall. Get around her.
LAP 157/300 Leader: Marshall
Dale Jr.: Side by side, Marshall is gonna have the run on the outside and he gets the pass done on Liberty. What a move from Marshall!
#11 Radio: Class racing there Marshall. Excellent job.
"Just doing what I love, guys." Marshall replied.
LAP 185/300 Leader: Marshall
Jeff: Liberty has been hanging back ever since she lost the lead to her teammate. Can she get it back?
#19 Radio: One more chance here Liberty.
Rick: As they come off of turn 4, Marshall outduels Liberty to win stage 2.
LAP 186/300 Leader: Marshall
CAUTION
#11 Radio: Focus for stage 3 now Marshall.
"Car feels good. Keep it this way." Marshall said.
LAP 188/300 Leader: Marshall
Everyone would come into the pits and Marshall would keep the lead with Liberty still in second.
LAP 193/300 Leader: Marshall
GREEN FLAG
Jeff: 108 laps to go, and Marshall gets the jump over Liberty and he secures the lead for now.
#19 Radio: Your car should come to life. Just be patient Liberty.
LAP 227/300 Leader: Marshall
While Marshall and Liberty were the top 2, Sweetie was actually closing in on the Toyotas, and she was on the back bumper of Liberty for 2nd place.
Dale Jr.: Sweetie has been patient and she wants the lead, but she has to get around Liberty to do it, and she's done it!
#1 Radio: Good pass. Next car is the #11. You have a history with him. Don't think about it.
"I'll try my best." The terrier replied.
LAP 231/300 Leader: Marshall
4 laps later, the terrier was challenging her former rival.
Rick: Here comes the #1 on the inside into turn 1, Marshall is trying to fight back, but Sweetie powers to the race lead!
#1 Radio: That's how you do it! #11 Radio: Sorry about that Marshall.
"Yeah, she's just too quick." Marshall said.
LAP 239/300 Leader: Sweetie
Rick: And a car is going slow on the backstretch! It's the #4 of Zuma! He was running in the 4th position, and his chances of a great finish seem to be over!
#4 Radio: Pit this time Zuma.
"Dang it dude! That sucks!" The Lab said.
LAP 241/300 Leader: Sweetie
#19 Radio: We're gonna try the undercut. Pit this time Liberty
Jeff: Liberty comes into the pits for service. She says the car is a bit tight, but other than that, it's good and she's away.
LAP 242/300 Leader: Sweetie
#1 Radio: In this lap Sweetie.
#11 Radio: Follow the #1.
Dale Jr.: Here come the top 2 and they both park their cars. Both of them are pitting for fresh tires and Sweetie is away, but Marshall is still in his pit stall, now he's away. Where's Liberty now? She just crossed the start/finish line. She's ahead of Marshall, but Sweetie keeps the lead!
#19 Radio: Okay we just missed her.
LAP 295/300 Leader: Sweetie
Sweetie had a 1.2 second lead over Liberty, but Liberty was not letting her get away. Jeff: Liberty thinks she has the fastest car, but their lap times are nearly identical.
#19 Radio: Just try your best Liberty. Gotta hope something happens here.
LAP 299/300 Leader: Sweetie
Liberty could only get the gap down to .7 seconds and the terrier was so close to victory.
Dale Jr.: We talked about Sweetie not winning a race this year, and right now she is silencing those doubters.
Rick: Out of turn 4, she'll see the white flag! One lap to go presented by Credit One Bank!
LAP 300/300 Leader: Sweetie
WHITE FLAG
Rick: Down the backstretch for the final time! She started on pole and is only two more corners away from victory.
#1 Radio: #19 five back, bring it home!
Rick: Coming out of turn 4! The #1 is number 1 here in Nashville! Sweetie wins it!
#1 Radio: YES SWEETIE!
"HAHAHAHA! FINALLY! ABOUT TIME WE GOT A WIN!" Sweetie cackled.
#19 Radio: Good drive Liberty. P2
"Sorry guys. Wish I had more at the end." Liberty replied.
#11 Radio: Good drive. P3 Marshall. And you have someone waiting for you when you get out of the car.
"Alright." The Dally replied.
#9 Radio: P4 Chase. Excellent points.
"One step closer to the playoffs guys." The German Shepherd told his team.
Sweetie did her burnouts in her magenta and black Chevrolet, and had an evil grin when she took off her helmet. All of her crew went over to congratulate her, but the terrier had other plans.
"BOW MY TEAM!" Sweetie demanded.
Without a second thought, every single crew member of Sweetie's team started bowing down to her.
Reporter: A win for Sweetie that means a lot to her. Sweetie you started on pole, and you got the win. How does it feel knowing you'll be in the playoffs now?
"Finally. It feels nice that all of Barkingburg knows that I'm a race winner in 2023. I shall have a proper celebration for my victory here tonight. The night is beautiful here in Nashville. Thank you to my pit crew, but I did it all by myself. And make sure you have a fancy drink for me in the victory lane. No more questions please." Sweetie said as she hopped back into her car.
POST RACE
The 3rd place finisher Marshall got out of his car, expecting someone for him to meet him. As soon as he got to his pit box, he got an unexpected surprise. Another Dalmatian was right in front of him.
"Hey Marshall." The other Dally said.
"Hey sis." Marshall replied.
"I have something to tell you…"
RESULTS
1st #1 Sweetie
2nd #19 Liberty
3rd #11 Marshall
4th #9 Chase
5th #5 Ryder
6th #24 Arrby
7th #20 Skye
8th #43 Rex
9th #8 Rocky
10th #16 Wildcat
11th #6 Shade
12th #99 Tracker
13th #3 Harold Humdinger
14th #54 Coral
15th #23 Claw
16th #41 Gasket
17th #48 Mayor Humdinger
18th #17 Rory
19th #22 Rubble
20th #7 Alex
21st #21 Dwayne
22nd #47 Wheeler (-1)
23rd #31 Leo (-1)
24th #4 Zuma (-1)
25th #10 Duke of Flappington (-1)
26th #31 Leo (-1)
27th #2 Tuck (-1)
28th #34 Hubcap (-1)
29th #51 Charger (-2)
30th #45 Everest (-2)
31st #14 The Cheetah (-2)
32nd #77 Copycat (-2)
33rd #15 Mix (-3)
34th #78 Ladybird (-3)
35th #38 Al (-4)
36th #12 Ella (DNF)