POINTS STANDINGS
1st #24 Arrby +25
2nd #19 Liberty +25
3rd #11 Marshall +21
4th #5 Ryder +12
5th #17 Rory +10
6th #8 Rocky +8
7th #20 Skye +5
8th #45 Everest +3
—-
9th #1 Sweetie -3
10th #6 Shade -3
11th #12 Ella -6
12th #23 Claw -14
Location: Texas Motor Speedway, Texas
Track type: Oval
Round 2 is underway in the playoffs as we begin at possibly the worst track on the schedule: Texas Motor Speedway. A track where passing is limited, but has very high banking in the corners. Codi Gizmodi will drive the #38 car as Al will drive the #51 Rick Ware Racing Ford while Charger takes the week off to prepare for Talladega.
(SATURDAY) QUALIFYING
Rory and Shade were set to start on the front row, but there was one car who could change that.
#23 Radio: Go ahead Claw.
Jeff: Now we see Claw leaving pit road, warming up his tires, and now drives on the backstretch at full speed.
Dale Jr.: Starts his lap, and hugs the yellow line in turns 1 and 2 and is looking great right now!
#23 Radio: Two more corners. You got this!
Rick: Can he spoil the RFK party, and ruin their 1-2- YES HE CAN! CLAW WINS THE POLE FOR TEXAS! THE LOWEST DRIVER IN THE PLAYOFFS WILL START FIRST! WHAT A SHOCK!
#23 Radio: THAT'S POLE POSITION CLAW!
"WOOOOO! HELL YES!" The Doberman exclaimed.
SUNDAY (RACE DAY)
STARTING LINEUP
1. #23 2. #17 3. #6 4. #54 5. #1 6. #16 7. #8 8. #99
9. #20 10. #11 11. #5 12. #43 13. #3 14. #48 15. #45 16. #19
17. #34 18. #24 19. #42 20. #22 21. #10. 22. #4 23. #12 24. #47
25. #41 26. #77 27. #7 28. #31 29. #9 30. #21 31. #14 32. #2
33. #38 34. #78 35. #15 36. #51
STAGES: 80/85/102
(PACE LAPS)
It was a hot day in Texas with the temperature at 100 degrees to start the race, and immediately drivers were feeling the effects of the heat.
#16 Radio: Wild, everything okay in there? "Yeah… it's just really hot." The feline replied.
#23 Radio: Claw, I know it's hot, but you can do this. Just stay hydrated all day. "Got it." The Doberman told his team.
Rick: The pace car comes to pit road. It's a hot day here at Texas Motor Speedway, but the fans are ready, the drivers are ready, and we're racing in the Lone Star State!
GREEN FLAG
Jeff: Claw chose the inside, but Rory is hanging on the outside trying to get the lead early!
Dale Jr.: Side by side down the backstretch! Claw dives it on the inside and clears Rory to keep the lead!
#23 Radio: Good restart. Just run your race.
LAP 12/267 Leader: Claw
We got a good battle for 9th as Ryder is on the inside of Skye into turn 3, and she might lose another position as Marshall gets by! Skye goes down to 11th already!
#20 Radio: Come on, try to get them back!
"It's near impossible to pass here!" Skye complained.
LAP 31/267 Leader: Claw
Rick: Wildcat has 6th, but Rocky goes to the outside! You don't often see a pass up there, but he gets it done on the feline! What a move by the mix!
#8 Radio: Wow, great pass Rocky. Next car ahead is the #54.
"I'm on it!" Rocky exclaimed.
LAP 34/267 Leader: Claw
Shade and Coral were battling for 4th, but lap traffic was interfering with their battle.
Rick: Coral looks to the inside, but the #78 is blocking! She's a lap down, and Rocky takes 5th away!
#54 Radio: Damn #78. What the hell was that?!
"That's unacceptable! Is her spotter blind or something?!" Coral angrily exclaimed.
Dale Jr.: Out of turn 4, he wants more! To the inside of Shade and within a lap, he's moved up two positions to 4th!
LAP 38/267 Leader: Claw
#17 Radio: Pit Rory. Undercut time.
Rick: Here comes Rory! Looks like a decent stop from here! 10.2 seconds- Oh, the car is not going! What is happening! Now the car gets going, but she stalled for three seconds.
#17 Radio: What happened Rory?
"I don't know why the car didn't go! I reset it back to first gear, and it went." Rory said.
LAP 39/267 Leader: Claw
#23 Radio: #17 had an issue. Pit this lap.
Rick: And now the race leader comes to pit road, and the #23 crew is ready for him! Nice stop! 10.3 seconds and drives off with no issues!
LAP 42/267 Leader: Copycat
Copycat along with a few other cars were staying out betting on a caution.
#77 Radio: So we're gonna have to pit in about five laps- nevermind got a car spinning!
Rick: Got a car spinning in turn 3! The #3 of Harold Humdinger and the entire wheel has come off that car!
CAUTION
#3 Radio: I assume we're done?
"Yep. You suck, and this pit crew sucks ass!" Harold shouted!.
LAP 44/267 Leader: Copycat
Everyone who hadn't pitted yet would come to pit road giving Claw the lead back with Sweetie in second.
#23 Radio: #1 will be alongside you for this restart.
"Yep. We know each other pretty well." Claw said as he smirked.
#1 Radio: How are gonna race the #23?
"The same way he races me." Sweetie said.
LAP 49/267 Leader: Claw
GREEN FLAG
Dale Jr.: Back under the green flag we go!
Rick: Claw leads into turn 1 ahead of Sweetie as we got two cars spinning behind! The Duke and Mayor Humdinger go around! Both cars look fine, but the caution comes right back out!
CAUTION
#48 Radio: Tell the #10 that the #42 turned us into him. "Yeah… Ryder's friend." The mayor growled.
#10 Radio: #42 turned the #48 into us.
"Ha! Who else?!" The Duke sarcastically said.
LAP 54/267 Leader: Claw
GREEN FLAG
Rick: Green flag is back out, Claw has the edge! Rocky makes it three wide! Claw in the middle, but aggressively blocks Rocky and clears Sweetie off of turn 2!
Jeff: Rocky losing a few places after that attempt for the lead, and another car spins on the backstretch! The #51 of Al as Codi Gizmodi is driving his car for this week!
CAUTION
#51 Radio: Aw crap. The wheel came off.
"Really guys?!" Al frustratedly said as his car was towed to the garage.
LAP 59/267 Leader: Claw
GREEN FLAG
Rick: Let's see if we can make it at least one lap, as the green flag flies again!
Dale Jr.: Claw got a much better stop and easily clears Sweetie in turn 1!
LAP 60/267 Leader: Claw
Rocky goes up the track in turn 1! He's lost two places, down to 5th he goes and he's putting his paw out the window! There might be an issue with his car!
#8 Radio: Rocky, pit! In this lap Rocky!
"NO!" Rocky barked back.
#8 Radio: Rocky, we're seeing the tire is low.
"It feels fine! I can make it 20 more laps!" The mix spoke back.
LAP 73/267 Leader: Claw
While Rocky kept falling back, he only dropped to 8th, and was still in position to score stage points.
#8 Radio: Alright Rocky. Seven laps to go this time by.
LAP 74/267 Leader: Claw
The second Rocky drove into turn 1…
"OH NOOOOOO!" Rocky yelled as he tried to save his car.
Rick: ROCKY IS AROUND IN TURN 1! UP INTO THE WALL HE GOES! THE TIRE FINALLY CUT DOWN AND THE REAR OF THAT CAR IS DESTROYED!
CAUTION
#8 Radio: I don't understand Rocky. We told you to pit.
"I- I'm sorry guys. That's all I can say." Rocky said as he drove his car to the garage.
LAP 76/267 Leader: Claw
Rory, Everest, Arrby, Skye, and others stayed out for stage points while everyone else came to pit road.
Rick: Everyone comes to pit road for strategies. The #19 is the first off with two tires. Claw with four!
#11 Radio: Go, go, go! WHAT THE FUCK #54?!
Rick: OH THERE'S CONTACT! MARSHALL AND CORAL HAVE HIT EACH OTHER!
Dale Jr.: There is major damage to the right side of the #11 car, and the toe link looks broken on the #54! Teammates collide on pit road! This is unbelievable!
Jeff: I don't understand what Coral was doing. She was in the middle of pit road. Marshall ran into her, but she needed to be more to the right.
The right side of Marshall's car had a huge dent crushed in on the back half of the car.
#19 Radio: Okay, so the #11 and the #54 hit each other. They both have damage.
"How bad are their cars?" Liberty inquired.
#19 Radio: #54 is out. #11 is still going, but has damage. Looks terminal from here.
"WHAT THE HELL IS SHE DOING?! She is not looking where she's going and I'm out!" Marshall said angrily.
#11 Radio: No, it looks okay from here. We're gonna stay on the track. If the car performs badly, we'll retire the car.
#54 Radio: Coral, what were you thinking?
"I'm sorry! I didn't think Marshall would come out right in front of me!" Coral explained.
LAP 79/267 Leader: Rory
#11 Radio: How's the steering Marshall?
"It feels fine. I'm just worried about the damage." The Dalmatian said as he lifted the visor on his helmet.
"Marshall, I know things look bad right now. Just try your best and forget the rest." Cinder calmly said.
Marshall took some deep breaths to get him back focused on getting the best finish possible.
"You're right, Cinder. Let's go." Marshall said as he put the visor back down.
#17 Radio: #45 will be on your outside. One lap to end the stage.
LAP 80/267 Leader: Rory
GREEN FLAG
Rick: One lap left in stage one! Everest gets a monster restart with the help from Skye! And she's clear into turn one!
Jeff: Now Skye is on the outside challenge Rory for second! Rory has the inside and they dive into turn 3, Rory clears Skye in turn 4!
Rick: Everest stayed out to get stage points, and she has won stage one!
LAP 81/267 Leader: Everest
CAUTION
#45 Radio: Good job.
Rick: She got the stage win and that all important playoff point-
Dale Jr.: Oh we got a spin! The #19 is around in turn 1! Everyone was checking up and someone just rammed into the back of Liberty's car!
"I've got flat tires. I'm coming to pit road." Liberty said.
#19 Radio: The #6 just rammed into us.
"Tell Liberty that was not my fault. The #43 just rammed into the back of me while I was slowing down." Shade told her team.
#6 Radio: Yep. We're on it, Shade.
#43 Radio: We told you that was the stage end.
"Sorry. I couldn't get my car to slow down in time." Rex said.
LAP 82/267 Leader: Everest
Everest and Rory would stay out because they were risking on making it to the next green flag pit stop.
#45 Radio: Make these tires last until the next pit stop.
LAP 87/267 Leader: Everest
GREEN FLAG
Rick: Stage two is underway in Texas!
Dale Jr.: Everest got a good push from Hubcap as they go into turn 1, and already clear of Rory!
Jeff: And now Hubcap is challenging for 2nd place, and he gets the job done!
#45 Radio: #34 got clear of the #17. You are faster than him.
LAP 107/267 Leader: Everest
Despite the damage Marshall suffered on pit road, he was the fastest car on the track at the moment.
Dale Jr.: Marshall has worked his way up to 3rd, and now to the inside of Hubcap in turn 3! He easily takes second place away! Even with the damage on that car, he is flying right now!
#11 Radio: Well done. Next car ahead is the #45.
LAP 110/267 Leader: Everest
Rick: We got a car spinning off of turn 2! The #7 of Alex spin on the backstretch and the right rear tire is shredding the quarter panel!
CAUTION
#7 Radio: Drive slowly Alex. We don't want this car to get any more damaged.
"Copy." Alex replied.
LAP 115/267 Leader: Everest
Everyone would come to pit road and some drivers would end up taking two tires like Claw, Ella, and Shade while the rest took four tires.
#23 Radio: You're back up front, now let's stay up here.
LAP 119/267 Leader: Claw
GREEN FLAG
Rick: Back under the green flag we go, and Claw gets the jump on Ella and clears her into turn 1!
Jeff: Further back, Marshall trying to put the pressure on Tracker who took two tires on that last pit stop.
LAP 120/267 Leader: Claw
Dale Jr.: Tracker gets ahead of Marshall, the #11 goes up the track in turn 1, and now Ryder is side by side with the fire pup off of turn 2!
Rick: Still side by side in turn 3, and Ryder forces Marshall up the track a little and gets clear! You gotta wonder if Ryder still hasn't forgotten about Pocono.
#5 Radio: Good job. Go chase down the top four.
"Hope Marshall remembers, I'm still here." Ryder warned.
LAP 131/267 Leader: Claw
Jeff: Ryder has a run on Tracker down the backstretch! Now goes to the inside! Sends it into turn 3, and clears him!
#5 Radio: Next car is the #6.
LAP 135/267 Leader: Claw
Rick: Ryder has a huge run on the outside in turn 2! And clears Shade, trying to go to the inside of Ella for a two for one, but has to get out of the gas a bit in turn 3!
#5 Radio: Easy there Ryder. Don't wreck yourself trying to get to the front.
"Just want to get there quickly." Ryder told his team.
LAP 137/267 Leader: Claw
Dale Jr: Ryder is already alongside Ella, and goes into turn 3 with second place secured, and there's no one left except the leader.
"One more car to pass." Ryder said.
#5 Radio: You're four tenths faster than him per lap. You'll get him.
#23 Radio: Claw the #5 is up in P2. He'll be on your bumper soon.
"Got it. I'll try my best to hold him as long as I can." The Doberman told his team.
LAP 143/267 Leader: Claw
In just a few laps, Ryder was right on the bumper of Claw and was ready to make his move.
Rick: Into turn 1 they go! Ryder has a lot of momentum on the outside! Claw won't even put up a fight as Ryder now has the lead of this race before they get to turn 3!
#5 Radio: Next car with four tires is the #11, but you have a good lead over him.
LAP 161/267 Leader: Ryder
Ryder was almost six seconds ahead of Marshall, but one pup was trying to play spoiler in this race.
#43 Radio: Get around this #11 Rex.
Dale Jr.: Rex has a run on the inside in turn 2! He gets alongside Marshall! Side by side, and Rex clears the Dalmatian in turn 3! We could possibly be seeing an unlikely winner here in Texas!
"YES!" Rex exclaimed.
LAP 165/267 Leader: Ryder
#5 Radio: #43 is 6.3 back, bring it home. Rick: He's been the dominant car in this stage, and out of turn 4, Ryder wins stage two!
LAP 166/267 Leader: Ryder
CAUTION
#5 Radio: Green checkered. Excellent job.
"Let's finish this race boys." Ryder said.
LAP 168/267 Leader: Ryder
Everyone would come to pit road and the top 5 would remain the same: Ryder, Rex, Marshall, Ella, and Rory.
LAP 172/267 Leader: Ryder
Rick: Final stage is underway at Texas!
Dale Jr.: Rex got a great restart and still alongside Ryder on his outside into turn 1!
Jeff: They're still side by side off of turn 2 and Claw has already made up two spots on the restart!
Dale Jr.: Ryder sends it into turn 3, and clears Rex on the inside!
#43 Radio: Try and hang with the #5 Rex.
LAP 183/267 Leader: Ryder
Sweetie was having a horrific day as she was running 30th. She had been running top 20 for most of the day, but it was not going well for the terrier.
#1 Radio: Next car ahead is the #2.
"It doesn't fucking matter guys." Sweetie said with frustration in her voice.
#1 Radio: Sweetie, just drive the car. There's still 85 laps to go. Anything can happen.
LAP 209/267 Leader: Ryder
Rick: Looks like Everest is on pit road, making her pit stop to go to the end of the race-
Dale Jr.: We got a car spinning in turn 4! The #99 of Tracker was coming to pit road and he lost control of the car!
CAUTION
#45 Radio: Caution's out, we're a lap down.
"Noooo… this can't be." Everest groaned.
LAP 211/267 Leader: Ryder
Rick: Everyone comes into their pit stall for what should be their final pit stop of the day! Rex and Ryder are side by side exiting the pit lane, and Ryder barely stays ahead!
"We're P2, aren't we?" Rex asked.
#43 Radio: Unfortunately, yes we are Rex.
"Good pit stop guys though." Rex said as he tried to be enthusiastic.
LAP 215/267 Leader: Ryder
GREEN FLAG
Rick: The sun is setting, and we're back underway with 53 laps to go in Texas!
Jeff: Ryder again, gets the better restart and clears Rex in turn 1!
#5 Radio: Just drive away now Ryder.
LAP 243/267 Leader: Ryder
Rick: 25 laps to go for Ryder, as we look into the field, Sweetie has worked her way up to 11th, as-
Dale Jr.: We got a spin on the backstretch! The #15 car of Mix has gone around and the caution is back out!
CAUTION
#15 Radio: Are you okay? "Yeah, I'm done." Mix replied.
LAP 245/267 Leader: Ryder
Rick: This caution has come out at an interesting time. Do you stay out for track position, or do you gamble on fresh tires?
"What do you want me to do?" Ryder asked his team.
#5 Radio: Stay out.
#43 Radio: Four tires
#11 Radio: Two tires Marshall.
Dale Jr.: Ryder stays out! Rex, Marshall, and Shade are all pitting! Claw and Arrby also stay out!
Jeff: Looks like Marshall, Shade, and Rory take two tires while Rex takes four tires!
#23 Radio: Claw, you can win this race. Give it everything you got.
LAP 248/267 Leader: Ryder
GREEN FLAG
Rick: 20 laps to go here in Texas! Who's getting the win?!
Dale Jr.: Claw is hanging on the outside of Ryder; and they are dead even through turns 1 and 2!
#5 Radio: #23 still on your outside. Drive it in turn 3.
Jeff: Ryder dives it into turn 3, but Claw is still there! Still side by side off of turn 4! This is fantastic racing!
Dale Jr.: Claw leads at the line, but can he get the advantage as the leaders approach turn 1?!
LAP 249/267 Leader: Claw
Rick: Side by side into turn 1- RYDER GOES AROUND! HARD INTO THE OUTSIDE WALL GOES THE REAR OF THAT CAR! RACING HARD FOR THE WIN AND JUST LOST IT! CAUTION COMING OUT AGAIN!
CAUTION
"NOOOOOOO! FUUUUCK!" Ryder shouted.
#5 Radio: Take it to the garage. Rear of the car is KO'ed.
"I never hit him did I?" Claw asked.
#23 Radio: You never made contact with the #5.
#11 Radio: #5 is out of the race.
"Wow. That's shocking." Marshall said.
#24 Radio: Arrby, your P2. Time to play shocker again.
LAP 255/267 Leader: Claw
GREEN FLAG
Rick: 13 laps to go in Texas. Can Claw finish the job?!
Dale Jr.: Claw chose the outside and got the jump and is clear into turn 1!
Jeff: The Cheetah is in 2nd place?! Where has she been all race?!
#23 Radio: #14 four back, no pressure at the moment.
Dale Jr: Trouble out of turn 4! Everest hit the wall! And cars are spinning and crashing behind! The Mighty Twins are wrecked as well as Rex and Wildcat! Codi Gizmodi also got collected in that wreck!
Jeff: Ella is the big one in that crash as she came below the cutline and now might be in a deeper hole.
CAUTION
"NOOOOOO! WE WERE DOING SO GOOD!" Rex shouted as he ripped his helmet off.
#43 Radio: Rex, you deserve better. Don't let this bring you down.
#16 Radio: Turn the car off Wild. Left front is destroyed.
"Sorry guys. Had nowhere to go." The feline said disappointed.
Both Tuck and Ella were able to get their cars fired back up, but they had both had bad damage. Tuck would drive up to Ella's car and took his window net to talk to his sister.
"Hey sis! Are you going to the garage?" Tuck asked.
"Yeah, the car's killed. You?" Ella asked back.
"Yeah. Wanna check out the city of Dallas?" Tuck suggested.
"Sure, that sounds fun." Ella answered as they both went to the garage.
"Nooo… the toe link… it's broken." Everest said with sadness.
#45 Radio: We're gonna limp this car home. Hopefully something happens in front.
LAP 261/267 Leader: Claw
The drivers got the signal that they were going green next time by, with Claw on the outside and the Cheetah on the inside.
#23 Radio: #14 will be on your inside, she'll do whatever it takes.
"I won't give her the chance." The Doberman said.
#14 Radio: Give this restart everything you got.
"I'll rough that car up if I have to." The Cheetah said.
LAP 262/267 Leader: Claw
GREEN FLAG
Rick: Six laps to go here at Texas! Let's end this race with a bang!
Dale Jr.: Claw chose the outside again, but the Cheetah on the inside stayed with him and they are side by side into turn 1!
Jeff: The Cheetah gets loose off of turn 2! Arrby makes it three wide! Side by side for the lead! Arrby clears Claw and is the pirate pup gonna steal another win?!
#24 Radio: Oh my God… drive away now, Arrby.
LAP 263/267 Leader: Arrby
Rick: Now, Sweetie is challenging Claw for second! Sweetie was running 30th at one point, and now moves herself up into the runner up position!
#1 Radio: Try and chase down the #24. "Come on car. Don't fail me now!" Sweetie said.
LAP 266/267 Leader: Arrby
Sweetie was too far back to try and challenge for the win, but Claw was in danger of losing another spot!
Dale Jr.: Claw is now under attack from Skye as she's alongside him into turn 2! Into turn 3 and Claw holds his line and secured third as Arrby is about to take the white flag!
Rick: Arrby will see white flag! One lap to go presented by Credit One Bank!
LAP 267/267 Leader: Arrby
WHITE FLAG
#24 Radio: #1 1.6 back. Bring it home!
Rick: Arrby once again, right place, right time for the pirate pup! And he claims his sixth win of the season, and it comes at Texas!
"YEEEEAAAAAHHHHH! NEXT ROUND CREW CHIEF SIR!" Arrby exclaimed.
#1 Radio: Runner up Sweetie. What did I say? Never give up.
"Calm down guys. Talladega is next, and anything can happen there." Sweetie told her team.
#23 Radio: P3 Claw. Great race all day.
"I am so sorry guys. I shouldn't have chosen the outside. We had the win and I threw it away." Claw said, trying not to tear up.
Arrby did his burnouts at the start/finish line and the crowd was neutral on his win because he's won already six times this year.
Reporter: Arrby locks a spot into the Round of 8 with his sixth victory of the season. Arrby, once again, it's right place, right time for you. What does it mean to get the win here in Texas?
"It feels amazing to get a win in the playoffs and not have to worry about Talladega or the Roval. I feel so gutted for Ryder. He had the dominant car and unfortunately he crashed out, but that's how it is sometimes, and we were able to take the win here! Now, my focus is on the Round of 8." Arrby said.
RESULTS
1st #24 Arrby
2nd #1 Sweetie
3rd #23 Claw
4th #20 Skye
5th #11 Marshall
6th #4 Zuma
7th #6 Shade
8th #99 Tracker
9th #47 Wheeler
10th #14 The Cheetah
11th #9 Chase
12th #48 Mayor Humdinger
13th #31 Leo
14th #17 Rory
15th #34 Hubcap
16th #42 Ben Allen
17th #19 Liberty
18th #10 Duke of Flappington
19th #77 Copycat
20th #21 Dwayne
21st #22 Rubble
22nd #78 Ladybird
23rd #41 Gasket
24th #38 Codi Gizmodi
25th #45 Everest
26th #7 Alex (-5)
27th #2 Tuck (DNF)
28th #12 Ella (DNF)
29th #16 Wildcat (DNF)
30th #43 Rex (DNF)
31st #5 Ryder (DNF)
32nd #15 Mix (DNF)
33rd #54 Coral (DNF)
34th #8 Rocky (DNF)
35th #51 Al (DNF)
36th #3 Harold Humdinger (DNF)
POINTS STANDINGS
1st #24 Arrby (1 WIN)
2nd #11 Marshall +37
3rd #17 Rory +22
4th #20 Skye +20
5th Liberty +19
6th Sweetie +12
7th Shade +8
8th #5 Ryder +2
—-
9th #23 Claw -2
10th #45 Everest -3
11th #12 Ella -11
12th #8 Rocky -17