PLAYOFF STANDINGS
1st #24 Arrby (1 WIN)
2nd #12 Ella (1 WIN)
3rd #11 Marshall +50
4th #20 Skye +22
5th #17 Rory +19
6th #19 Liberty +17
7th #5 Ryder +15
8th #6 Shade +2
—
9th #45 Everest -2
10th #1 Sweetie -9
11th #23 Claw -9
12th #8 Rocky -26
Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway, North Carolina
Track type: Road course
Race three of round two is here. The Charlotte Roval. A 17 turn road course where chaos can strike at any corner. After this race, we say goodbye to four more drivers in the playoffs as their championship hopes will end. Codi Gizmodi will drive the #38 for we believe the final time this season, Jake will make his final start in the #62, and Al drives the #51 as Charger takes the week off.
SATURDAY (PRACTICE)
Rick: We got trouble in turn 8! Ryder has hit the wall, and if that's badly damaged, he'll have to go to a backup car!
#5 Radio: How bad is it? "Steering is broken." Ryder replied.
#5 Radio: Backup car for sure.
10 minutes later, another car crashed.
Jeff: We have a car in the wall in turn 2! Copycat has smashed the wall, and he won't participate in qualifying either!
#77 Radio: Turn the car off Nathaniel.
"Sorry guys." The feline apologized.
QUALIFYING
Everest was currently sitting on the pole, but everyone behind her wanted to do one more lap before time expired.
Rick: And now Marshall begins his lap in turn 13, He right now sits 9th, as he makes his way into turns 16 and 17, and across the line he goes.
Dale Jr.: Out of turn 10, he's on track to start P2- OH HE LOCKS UP! AROUND GOES MARSHALL IN TURN 11!
Jeff: And the red flag has come out! That will end qualifying, meaning Everest has won the pole for tomorrow's race.
#11 Radio: Can you get it rolling?
"Yeah, sorry everyone. I pushed it over the limit." The Dalmatian apologized.
#45 Radio: Watch the #11. You're on pole. Good job.
"Let's go! Is Marshall okay?" Everest inquired.
#45 Radio: Yeah, he's fine.
SUNDAY (RACE DAY)
STARTING LINEUP
1. #45 2. #20 3. #99 4. #23 5. #8 6. #16 7. #22 8. #9
9. #11 10. #54 11. #19 12. #1 13. #34 14. #24 15. #3 16. #48
17. #12 18. #41 19. #6 20. #17 21. #10 22. #4 23. #43 24. #7
25. #31 26. #42 27. #47 28. #78 29. #2 30. #14 31. #21 32. #51
33. #62 34. #38 35. #15 36. #5 37. #77
STAGES: 25/25/59 (PACE LAPS)
Cinder had decided to sit in Everest's pit stall because she knew Marshall was all but guaranteed to make it on points.
#45 Radio: Just get as many points as you can Everest, and hopefully we'll be in position to win this.
"Hey Everest. You got this girl! If you stay out of trouble, you're in." Cinder said.
"Thanks Cinder. Let's have some fun today." Everest said, putting down her visor.
#6 Radio: Shade, 19th isn't the best starting spot, but you can do this.
#23 Radio: Claw, no matter what happens, we're proud of you with how far you have come in these playoffs.
#8 Radio: Only one way to do this Rocky: Win.
#1 Radio: Go show these others who the Trackhouse terrier is Sweetie.
#5 Radio: You've won from the rear before and you can do it again Ryder.
Rick: The pace car makes its way into the pit lane, and Everest enters turns 16 and 17, she steps on the gas and we're racing at the Charlotte Roval!
GREEN FLAG
Jeff: Everest got a great restart and she has already cleared Skye as they enter turn 1! #45 Radio: #20 three back, good restart.
LAP 5/109 Leader: Everest
Rick: Across the line, we got someone spinning in turn 17! The #43 of Rex has gone around, but the caution won't come out.
#43 Radio: Get it back rolling.
"Sorry. I just lost it." The Dino pup said.
LAP 21/109 Leader: Everest
Rick: Now we see several cars pitting. Coral, Rocky, and others making their way to pit road. Everest, Claw, Sweetie, Liberty, Shade and others staying out for stage points.
#45 Radio: We will be staying out. Points matter Everest.
"Agreed." The husky replied.
LAP 23/109 Leader: Everest
#20 Radio: Pit this time Skye. You will still score stage points.
Dale Jr.: Skye will make her way to pit road. Neat pit stop for her crew and she cycles out to 5th.
#20 Radio: Skye, you will cycle back to the lead when stage 2 begins.
"Got it." The cockapoo replied.
LAP 25/109 Leader: Everest
#45 Radio: Three more corners here.
Rick: She's led every single lap so far, and as she comes into turns 16 and 17, Everest will collect another playoff point for winning stage one! With Claw in 2nd. Big points scored.
LAP 26/109 Leader: Everest
CAUTION
#45 Radio: Great speed Everest. This race will come back to us.
"Yeah, great speed in this car." The husky replied.
#23 Radio: That's nine points. #45 is P1.
"It doesn't feel like enough. I need more." The Doberman insisted
LAP 27/109 Leader: Everest
Everyone who had not pitted before the end of stage 1 would come to pit road with Skye, Tracker, and Chase as the top 3.
LAP 30/109 Leader: Skye
GREEN FLAG
Rick: Stage 2 is underway as Skye gets the jump on Tracker and she leads into the heavy braking into turn 1!
#20 Radio: #99 three back. Getting pressure from the #9.
LAP 36/109 Leader: Skye
Skye held the lead, but a German Shepherd who she was too familiar with, was about to take it from her!
Jeff: Into turn 8, Chase goes to the inside, as they enter turn 9! Chase gets clear of Skye! And the crowd roars for him as they want to see him win this race!
#9 Radio: Clear of the #20. Build a gap on her.
LAP 47/109 Leader: Chase
Green flag pit stops were already taking place and the leader was getting ready for his pit stop.
#9 Radio: Chase, pit this time.
"Got it-" Chase said as his crew interrupted him.
#9 Radio: STAY OUT! STAY OUT!
Dale Jr.: The #78 car has smashed the barriers in turn 4, and there's debris all over the track. And that was completely screwed up Chase's strategy.
CAUTION
#78 Radio: What happened?
"The #7 just wrecked us." Ladybird said as she fired her car back up.
"Tell the #78 I'm sorry. I sent it too hard and hit her." Alex said.
LAP 50/109 Leader: Chase
Rick: Chase will win stage 2, but when everyone else pits, Rocky will cycle out to the race lead, and he's in a must win situation!
#9 Radio: Stage win will go to you.
"Yeah, but our strategy is messed up because of that caution!" Chase said, annoyed."
LAP 51/109 Leader: Chase
Jeff: I'm looking at points now. Marshall finished 3rd on that stage, and he has clinched a spot in the Round of 8 on points no matter what happens.
#11 Radio: Congrats Marshall. You've clinched on points.
"Yeah, but let's still get a good result today." The Dalmatian said.
#8 Radio: So, you'll be P1 when the third stage begins Rocky.
"Affirmative." The mix relied.
LAP 54/109 Leader: Rocky
GREEN FLAG
Rick: Who's making it into the Round of 8?! Stage three is under the green flag!
: Rocky got the jump on Coral on his outside, and now Wildcat takes second away!
"What's the points situation right now?" Liberty asked who was running 30th.
#19 Radio: If the #8 wins, we are out. We would need to outscore the #5, #45, and #17.
"Um… okay." Liberty replied, sounding a little worried.
LAP 58/109 Leader: Rocky
Rick: Wildcat has been stalking Rocky's bumper for a few laps now, but it looks like the feline is ready to make his move!
Dale Jr.: Wildcat is on Rocky's inside as they go into turn 9! Turn 10, and Rocky side drafts! Side by side as they now approach the chicane!
Jeff: Wildcat pulls ahead, and as they exit turn 11, the feline takes the lead as Rocky falls in line!
#16 Radio: Build a gap on the #8 now.
"Sorry Rocky, but it's everyone for themselves." Wildcat said.
LAP 71/109 Leader: Wildcat
"NO! I hit the wall!" Hubcap exclaimed angrily.
#38 Radio: #11 ahead. "Yep." Codi replied as she rammed the bumper of the Dalmatian.
Rick: Someone is spinning across the start/finish line! It's Marshall! Thank goodness he's clinched on points, cus now he's outside the top 30! We stay green, however.
#11 Radio: #38 just wrecked you.
"Yep. That's what I expected." Marshall sighed.
LAP 76/109 Leader: Ella
Green flag pit stops were just finishing up, and Ella had decided to stay out to lead a few laps until it was her turn to pit.
Rick: Marshall overshoots turn 17! He's around again! This time, he gets hit by Ben Allen! He's driving away, but that right rear toe link looks broken!
CAUTION
#11 Radio: You okay?
"Sorry guys. I won't make this mistake next week." Marshall promised.
LAP 79/109 Leader: Wildcat
GREEN FLAG
Rick: 31 laps to go here at the Roval, and back underway we go! Dale Jr.: Wild gets the jump again, and clears Coral into turn 1 as the rest of the field follows.
LAP 80/109 Leader: Wildcat
Jeff: Oh! The #43 is around in turn 2! And Hubcap has nowhere to go! I believe had help from the #47. Caution is coming back out!
CAUTION
"Dang it! Wheeler just wrecked me!" Rex exclaimed.
#43 Radio: Drive it to the garage if you can. We're done.
#34 Radio: Is the car okay? "
"Yeah. Hood's buckled though." Hubcap grumbled.
LAP 83/109 Leader: Wildcat
GREEN FLAG
Rick: 27 laps to go, and Wildcat gets another great restart and leads into turn 1!
Dale Jr.: Coral tucks in behind in second with Arrby right behind!
#16 Radio: Just focus on yourself. You're doing great.
LAP 85/109 Leader: Wildcat
Jeff: Car is spinning in turn 2! The #15 of Mix and it seems like she's trying to drive to the garage backwards?! This is gonna bring the caution right back out!
CAUTION
#15 Radio: Stop the car. A truck will come to tow you back to the garage.
"Fine." Mix sighed.
LAP 88/109 Leader: Wildcat
Jeff: We got 22 laps to go, and we're back to racing!
Rick: They dive into turn 2 with Wildcat clear of Coral and Rocky!
#54 Radio: If you can stay with him, you could beat him Coral.
"Not when Rocky is beating my bumper!" Coral said as she exited turn 4.
Dale Jr.: Everyone now brakes into turn 11 into the chicane- as we got cars spinning now! Tuck and Claw are around! The Doberman was running 10th and he doesn't hit anything, but his playoff chances seem to be over!
#2 Radio: Are you okay Tuck?
"Yeah… come on Tracker!" Tuck said in frustration.
#23 Radio: Get it back rolling.
"AUGHHHHH! WAS THAT THE #2?!" Claw demanded.
#23 Radio: The #99 hooked the #2 and got into you.
Claw was growling on the radio knowing his playoffs hopes were more than likely over, but he kept the car rolling.
LAP 94/109 Leader: Wildcat
#1 Radio: Pit this time.
Rick: And it seems like Sweetie is hoping for a caution now with her new tires-
Dale Jr.: We got someone around in turn 8! Tracker who just spun out two cars has hit the wall, and the rear of the car is crushed in, but he's still rolling. He had help from the #20!
CAUTION "Tell Tracker I'm sorry! I didn't meant that." Skye said on the radio.
"Merezco esto. I deserve this." Tracker said to himself.
LAP 97/109 Leader: Wildcat
GREEN FLAG
Dale Jr.: 13 to go, and Coral got loose! Rocky moves up to second, Arrby to third! Coral drops down to 4th!
Rick: And we have a car stopped in turn 3! It's Wheeler and his car has blown up, and there's huge smoke inside the car!
#47 Radio: Get out of the damn thing! Wheeler unbuckled his seatbelt quickly and saw as he car continued to burn.
LAP 100/109 Leader: Wildcat
GREEN FLAG
Rick: 10 laps to go. Can anyone outduel Wildcat as the green flag waves! At the moment, no one can as Wildcat leads into turn 1!
Dale Jr.: Arrby is gonna take second away from Rocky, but the #16 has built up a five car length lead already!
#16 Radio: #24 got by the #8.
"Give me his lap times every time." Wildcat ordered.
LAP 108/109 Leader: Wildcat
The two leaders had pulled away from 3rd place, and it was gonna be a fight to the end with less than two laps to go.
Rick: Arrby is still trying to close the gap on Wildcat. Rocky is in 3rd and he'll be in position if these two take each other out!
#16 Radio: #24 six back, entering 14 now.
Jeff: Wildcat hasn't won in two years, while Arrby is looking for his seventh win this season, as they enter turn 14!
Rick: Out of turn 15, through the final chicane, Wildcat will take the white flag! One to go brought to you by Credit One Bank!
LAP 109/109 Leader: Wildcat
WHITE FLAG
Jeff: Heavy braking into turn 1, Wildcat still with a six car length advantage! #16 Radio: Just keep running normally.
After a few more corners, the gap would stay the same between the two leaders.
Dale Jr.: Down the backstretch for the final time! Can Arrby try to gain anything on the #16?! He gains, but only a little bit!
#16 Radio: #24 still five back, bring it home.
Rick: Wildcat doesn't have a contract for next season, but some teams might consider signing him, as he comes out of turn 15 for the final time. Through the final chicane! WILDCAT SNAPS A TWO YEAR WINLESS STREAK AND WINS AT THE CHARLOTTE ROVAL!
#16 Radio: You did it Wild! What a dominating performance!
"WOOOOOO! YESSSSSS! YES! YES! OH MY GOD! Thank you guys so much! I didn't think we had a chance today!" Wildcat said as he wiped his tears.
#8 Radio: I'm sorry Rocky. You gave it your all. You can be proud of yourself for this result.
"I'm sorry for Texas guys… If I had pitted, we wouldn't be in this situation." Rocky sighed sadly.
#1 Radio: And… we're out Sweetie. "Yeah, thanks for nothing." Sweetie scoffed.
#23 Radio: Claw, you can be proud of what you've done all season.
"I'm just sad that the story is over for me." Claw said.
#6 Radio: Shade, good job all year. It just wasn't meant to be.
"Thanks guys for this season. I'll be rooting for Rory in the next round!" Shade exclaimed.
Wildcat did his burnouts right on the wall and burned the rear tires until they were shredded to nothing but burnt rubber.
Reporter: Wildcat plays spoiler in the playoffs here at the Charlotte Roval. Wild, I must ask, what are you feeling knowing you haven't won in over two years?
"It's honestly incredible. I've had people tell me that I don't have it anymore, but I think after today, I've silenced the doubters and it feels so good! I don't know where I'll be next year, but wherever I go, I think I'm gonna have a good time! Thank you Kaulig Racing for giving me an amazing car today, and thank you fans for coming out!" Wildcat exclaimed.
RESULTS
1st #16 Wildcat
2nd #24 Arrby
3rd #8 Rocky
4th #54 Coral
5th #22 Rubble
6th #45 Everest
7th #17 Rory
8th #48 Mayor Humdinger
9th #9 Chase
10th #1 Sweetie
11th #41 Gasket
12th #12 Ella
13th #5 Ryder
14th #3 Harold Humdinger
15th #20 Skye
16th #23 Claw
17th #7 Alex
18th #6 Shade
19th #4 Zuma
20th #19 Liberty
21st #10 Duke of Flappington
22nd #31 Leo
23rd #51 Al
24th #21 Dwayne
25th #2 Tuck
26th #78 Ladybird
27th #62 Jake
28th #14 The Cheetah
29th #42 Ben Allen
30th #38 Codi Gizmodi
31st #77 Copycat
32nd #34 Hubcap
33rd #99 Tracker
34th #47 Wheeler (DNF)
35th #15 Mix (DNF)
36th #43 Rex (DNF)
37th #11 Marshall (DNF)
FINAL PLAYOFF STANDINGS (RO12)
1st #24 Arrby (1 WIN)
2nd #12 Ella (1 WIN)
3rd #11 Marshall (ADVANCED)
4th #20 Skye +28
5th #17 Rory +18
6th #45 Everest +17
7th #5 Ryder +15
8th #19 Liberty +13
—ELIMINATED—
9th #1 Sweetie -13
10th #23 Claw -18
11th #6 Shade -23
12th #8 Rocky -30