Miami, Florida
Wednesday Afternoon

It was supposed to be qualifying for the Homestead race that week, but instead of getting ready on track for what she was hopeful to be her best performance so far...instead Vapor Trail along with her teammate/coltfriend Sky Stinger were in a hotel room in the Miami area holding up as a storm raged outside.

There was not anything they could do about it, and they had gotten word that since qualifying would be cancelled. The race, when it was to occur, would have a start grid determined by current point standings. For the two JTG Daughtery drivers, they would be forced to start at the very back of the field.

It was in spite of some actually good news a few days before. With JTG Daughtery being a lower funded team compared to the likes of JGR, Hendrick, and Penske they had been struggling to make due with the resources they had for both their Monster Energy Cup and Equestrian Cup teams. Eventually, the team struck a partnership with Ganassi who in turn was sharing their engines with the team to make them more competitive in the series. This would only take effect in the Equestrian Cup while the teams Monster Energy cars still used in house equipment. It was similar to other agreements that Penske had with Roush and Hendrick with RCR. This made the teams more evenly competitive with a low field count compared to the Monster Energy Cup.

The ponies had been eager to test their new cars, but the storms had delayed this. There was hope, race day as scheduled was forecasted as clear but the race had a limited window as a storm was likely to arrive in the races' closing laps.

The shower in the shared restroom turned off as Viral stepped out into the room with her Aunt and Uncle.

It just so happened that at the same time, Lightning Dust, Sky's sister and Viral's mother stepped through the door to the room from the hall.

"I see you made it." Viral acknowledged.

"Yeah, only because I don't really have anything I can do related to the race." Lightning retorted, making her way to the nearest chair. "I heard about your luck with Ganassi. Good for you, shame it wasn't a JGR engine but hey we can't all be winners."

"Excuse me, who is the driver with a win so far this season?" Viral added in, giving her mother a cheeky smile.

Lightning in turn returned the smile, the once bitter rivals that were mother and daughter may have been competitive. But they managed to make good fun out of it.

"You know what, I'll give you that. This isn't like before though sweetie. I've got a winning car this week."

"If you actually win, I'll let you drive my R8 to Texas."

"Big mistake."

Vapor could only chuckle at the antics of her relatives, though she was thankful they weren't at each others throats.

Starting Positions

1. 48 Twilight Sparkle

2. 42 Sunset Shimmer

3. 18 Rainbow Dash

4. 20 Fluttershy

5. 40 Akula

6. 11 Lightning Dust

7. 2 Rarity

8. 19 Spitfire

9. 9 Pinkie Pie

10. 24 Viral Velocity

11. 22 Applejack

12. 95 Danger Dean

13. 21 Apple Bloom

14. 1 Trixie Lulamoon

15. 12 Sweetie Belle

16. 8 Bloothy

17. 88 Starlight Glimmer

18. 10 Octavia Melody

19. 6 Scootaloo

20. 14 Lyra Heartstrings

21. 3 Oscura Galaxia

22. 4 Vinyl Scratch

23. 37 Vapor Trail

24. 41 Derpy Hooves

25. 47 Sky Stinger

Reese's Take 5 200
Homestead Miami Speedway
Friday Morning

"NASCAR, live from sunny Southern Florida for the running of the Reese's Take 5 200. NASCAR's annual trip to Daytona Beach's southern neighbor has always been in late fall, and for the last 19 years has been the race that decides the championship. This year we come to Homestead early, Mike Joy here along with Hall of Fame driver Jeff Gordon, we are in Miami in March this year instead of November."

"That's right Mike, but as usual it's been raining all week. A lot of drivers have not been able to get much track time, there was a limited practice session that was cut short but it looks like we are good to go."

"A mostly clear sky for now Jeff, but keep an eye on the skies today there may be some storms on the horizon. Not only the weather a factor but the heat as well. These cars are going to start handling very differently as the day progresses on. Jeff take us around this track."

"Thanks Mike, I like this track but one thing to watch out for is that this track has progressive banking. Eighteen degrees on the bottom, twenty up top. You can run very fast on the bottom, but as the grip starts to go away you might see a lot of drivers come towards the top, and a lot of them probably will."

Vapor Trail got comfortable in her car. It was going to be rough ride, but she was hopeful that the new engines in her #37 Chevy would give her car just enough to get a decent finish. She was starting on the final double file line with Sky right behind her in last on the inside. The Grand marshal gave the call to fire engines, and as she did so she waited as the field began to pull away. She eventually followed, she would be starting 23rd.

Mike and jeff ran through the grid as the field got warmed up.

"Alright, taking a look at the starting grid. The drivers in points standings 1st through 11th picked out for spots in that area of the field. Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer getting the front two spots. drivers between 12th and 22nd did the same and the three remaining cars at the back start from their spots in the standings. Late breaking race stories starting with Jamie."

"Thanks Mike, and a great starting position for the #20 team this week. Fluttershy is growing into the spot on the team quite well with some encouragement from Erik and company. History is also playing on their side today, Out of all active cup drivers, Toyota's have accounted for half of the race wins here at Homestead all of them by JGR run cars. Steve?"

"Jamie, the rain put a hold on a lot of drivers testing out some new ideas but none as much as the #40 team. They are trying a new setup that will be taking advantage of the higher downforce package being used as Mile and a half tracks like the one here at Homestead, but they didn't get an adequate amount of practice for Akula with the new setup. He'll be starting fifth, looking to make use of his F1 experience."

"Steve you heard what Jamie said, A total of five wins for Joe Gibbs at this track. One car has two of those wins, and that's the #18 driven by Rainbow Dash today. Kyle Busch in fact won in this car last year when he won his second championship. All eyes are on her today looking to repeat the defending champions success. Matt?"

"Well if there is one driver who may have long term history on their side it's the #11. Denny Hamlin like his teammate also has 2 wins at Homestead and looks to take his third in his so far incredible opening to the 2020 season. Lightning Dust is feeling good about her car this week, she'll be starting sixth at the drop of the flag Mike."

"Thanks Matt, Jeff I'm sure you're looking forward to this. Let's have a chat with the driver of the #24 today."

"Morning V, It's Jeff and Mike up in the broadcast booth. How you doing?"

"...Jeff, sorry you caught me listening to music. I'm here."

"Good hearing you again. Different time of year for Homestead isn't it?"

"Yeah, feels different being here so early in the year. A bit warmer, pretty early in the day too but we got to make time for the drivers tomorrow."

"Looking forward to the racing today?"

"It's not quite like it used to be here without the championship atmosphere, but it feels good to be back especially driving one of your cars again."

"Alright, you look great with the #24 car. Keep up the good work V."

"Always a pleasure Jeff."

"Viral starting tenth today, already locking up a spot in the playoffs at California. five of the six cars starting up front have yet to win this season, the only one who has is Dash starting 3rd. We'll be coming to the green next time by.

Vapor readied herself for the start. The good thing about starting near the rear of the field is there was no cars behind to worry about slamming into her if she didn't get a good start. She also had the most time to react if something where to happen up front.

Her spotter gave her the go ahead as the green flag was dropped. Up ahead, Dash's launch was well timed and it catapulted her to the inside of the two Chevy's up front, ultimately clearing the front row as the field made their way into turn one. Vapor as such moved low to try to get as good a run out of the first two turns as possible. It was a good move, and she found herself on the bottom of three wide with the #3 and #4.

"Bottom of three, three wide..."

That's when the field suddenly began to scatter up front as around mid pack a collision occurred that seemed to travel up the field. Lucky for Vapor the contact happened near the top of the track. Further up, the #1 and #95 came shooting down the track kicking up tire smoke. She got off the gas as the #1 came barreling off the track into the inside wall. The #95 was turned back, and as Vapor went to come through the bottom Dean had corrected his spin and had begun to lock the tires to avoid coming back into traffic. Vapor had only a moment to react, but she did so quickly enough to pull the car to the right and avoid the Toyota that was slowly coming back around.

As she continued on, she passed by two more damaged cars. The #4 came out around the same place she did, but had made severe contact with another car and had torn the right front fender off. The #12 also pulled away with a severe tire rub on the right side. Eventually the #95 also pulled away sporting a few flat tires but no visible damage along with a couple cars that checked up heavily in the incident. When it was all said and done there were two cars of note that did not pull away. The #1 and #21, Trixie's car settling down near the inside wall where it had come around and smacked it with the right front and Apple Bloom having nosed into the outside wall and been hit in the rear end by the #4 off the rebound.

Vapor came out of the crash completely unscathed, and after catching up with the field found herself behind the #22, in 12th. Her miraculous dodge had allowed her to climb up 11 positions.

The broadcast team was just getting warmed up as the crash happened.

"...and like a rocket, she's gonna take the lead. Sunset will pick up second, Twilight drops to third..."

"Trouble already Mike!"

"Three cars around..."

The broadcast camera ended up following the #1 as it slammed hard into the wall.

"...heading for...ooh a hard hit for the #1 that is Trixie. A couple more cars near the outside wall."

"#21, lot of heavy damage on that car. #95 pulling away."

"Dean, looks like the #4 as well that's Vinyl Scratch our winner at Phoenix couple races ago. Oh significant damage for the #12 as well.... Jeff let's take a look at this one first, from our Direct Tv Blimp."

As Mike said it, the first replay was brought up. An overhead view following the mid pack cars. It was Jeff who pointed out the contact between the #1 and #12.

"Ooh, right there."

"Yeah, and that's just a racing mistake Belle is trying to get side draft of the #1... at the same time she s moves over to get some off the #21. No spotter at fault just bad timing on both of their parts."

"And of course when those two make contact, with these cars so close together on these starts sometimes a wreck can happen behind you and cars getting turned around will carry their way up the field and take cars that weren't involved. On board with the #22 looking back."

"Outside you, clear half back to the #95. Spinning, wrecking behind you
All clear, cautions out."

Next was a shot at the field coming down headlong into the camera, as the field and wreck passed by Jeff and Mike got a good look at Vapor's split second move.

"Woah, the #37...sneaks her way through there. Almost makes me think Preece is driving that car cause you won't believe how Vapor shot the gap and got through there."

Finally was a close up of the head on hit on the #1, a serious blow that lifted the rear tires momentarily as the car pounded the SAFER barrier head on.

After cleanup and a field reset it was now the #18 who would lead the field to the restart. Dash would easily pull away with another great launch and the field managed to go without another wreck.

Lap 30

Vapor held her own quite well, only losing one spot to the #8 late into the first stage. At the front, Dash had easily spread her gap on the field with a fast car, but as would be expected it was the #20 and #11 who would be the ones to keep pace with their teammate. On the last lap of the stage Dust made a last ditch attempt on Fluttershy and managed to sneak second spot away from the timid pegasus to gain an extra point as well as the front row for stage two.

Stage 1 Results

1. 18 Rainbow Dash 10 Points (+1 Playoff Point)

2. 11 Lightning Dust 9 Points

3. 20 Fluttershy 8 Points

4. 42 Sunset Shimmer 7 Points

5. 40 Akula 6 Points

6. 19 Spitfire 5 Points

7. 9 Pinkie Pie 4 Points

8. 2 Rarity 3 Points

9. 48 Twilight Sparkle 2 Points

10. 24 Viral Velocity 1 Point

The restart for stage two was uneventful for Vapor as there was little to watch out for. Her launch was on par and she managed to hold onto her 13th place spot as the race continued.

However, as the race for the lead went on ahead between the #18 and #11 trouble began to arise. They battled back and forth, trading the lead as the Toyota's nosed ahead of each other. Lightning Dust running high in the traction compound as Rainbow Dash held the inside line in her Fudge M&M's #18.

This battle continued on for several laos, all the way up to lap 38. In turn 3, Lightning once again went up high. She drove it in a little harder than Dash has anticipated, and got very close to the #18's quarter. As the #11 Gatorade machine went close around the outside the car beneath wiggled before snapping around, the momentum carrying the car up the track as the rear end crumpled like paper against the barrier. The #18 stayed up near the wall exiting turn four facing the wrong direction and a yellow flag was displayed. The stage one winner, was now wrecked.

Dash was understandably upset, even in her radio before she got out, but she climbed out of the car and checked to the ambulance as mandated. Not before she let her team know she wasn't happy, as any driver learning from Kyle Busch would have done.

Her car was taken away, the debris cleared. After a few caution laps, green flag racing resumed. It wasn't long before more troubles arose.

The pole sitter, Twilight Sparkle, had been notably struggling the entire race and had dropped back outside the top 15. Despite this, no one on the #48 team could figure out the problem. The problem was soon found. On lap 45, the #48 detonated like a smoke grenade. After a short panic attack, Twilight pulled the car onto the apron and brought the car to a stop. Her race had literally gone up in smoke.

Without really noticing, Vapor found herself restarting in 11th. Following the DNF of the #18 and the #48 dying off she had gained more ground. On the following restart she had a great launch, and pulled alongside her niece in the #24 entering turn one with the #11 blasting ahead of the pack.

The #37 and #24 raced for 9th place for the remainder of the stage, but ultimately Viral's experience prevailed and gave her the spot. Despite this, it was still Vapor's first stage point of the season

Stage 2 Results

1. 11 Lightning Dust 10 Points (+1 Playoff Point)

2. 42 Sunset Shimmer 9 Points

3. 20 Fluttershy 8 Points

4. 9 Pinkie Pie 7 Points

5. 2 Rarity 6 Points

6. 40 Akula 5 Points

7. 19 Spitfire 4 Points

8. 22 Applejack 3 Points

9. 24 Viral Velocity 2 Points

10. 37 Vapor Trail 1 Point

Pit stops were largely uneventful save for some back markers trading spots. Everyone in the field did full stops. They had good reason. Now that the race was past half way any rain that came over the track would cause the race to be declared. As such, they all wanted full tanks to make sure they could go as far into the final stage as the weather would permit.

"Vapor, we've got storms on the radar about an hour out. Take it easy, and try to save fuel if this green flag goes on for a long run." Her crew chief directed her, having checked the radar in the local area. There was a minor storm not too far out but even a small amount of rain was dangerous on banked oval surfaces.

She restarted tenth, so she had to endure the outside lane getting the short end of the stick as the #11 once again pulled ahead with now the #42 and #9 giving chase.

Lap 102

As her crew chief had worried, the green flag run had went on for some time. Far longer than anyone expected. Despite the rain being just about on top of them plenty of cars were running out of fuel as they all went well past what they were going for. Vapor had initially dropped back to 14th in an effort to conserve. It had done the job.

Slowly, the field began to pit ahead of her. However, she was still second. After escaping the pressure behind her, Lightning Dust was basically running 3/4 what she could have. Her fuel had lasted much further than most of the field.

As such, the two cars were 1st and 2nd despite being on opposite ends of the track.

Finally, on lap 102 the #11 pulled into the pits. The #37 team saw this as their time to pit as well and Vapor came in close behind. As she came into her stall and the car was lifted by the jack man the yellow flag was called.

The rain had begun to come down in turns one and two. Listening to the radio chatter of drivers in that section of the track and subsequent camera footage was enough evidence for control to give a yellow. However as there were no red flag conditions as of that moment the #11 and #37 teams were able to finish their stops and rejoin the field in their respective positions.

The rain was mild, nothing serious. At pace car speed there was no risk of any wrecks. Further more, this batch of rainfall lasted only a few minutes. With the help of some jet dryers the track was dried off in a reasonable amount of time.

A large majority of the field had made it around ahead of the two lead cars, getting their laps back. The #14, being the first car a lap down, was given the free pass. This put a total of 16 cars on the lead lap.

The safety car pulled away as Vapor and Lightning began to roll off. On Lightning's go the race went back to green. Vapor held her own, but simply could not keep up with the Toyota. She settled in as they went through one and two. On the backstretch the #42 gave her a huge push before Sunset jumped outside her and took second. Then on the frontstretch Pinkie caught up and got under her in turn one. Vapor soon realized she was out of her league, being passed by several faster cars as she began to drop down the order.

As the laps continued on, she soon found herself back in 11th just as the #24 went around her outside with 10 laps to go. To Her relief, there was a sizable gap to the next place car. So long as she didn't make any critical mistakes she would take home a solid finish.

Another five laps went by as the #37 cruised around the track, not too far behind the #11's rapid pace and fresh tires had rocketed Lightning Dust far ahead of any competition. It was no show, she had dominated the day leading every lap following Dash's crash. A total of 93 Laps up to that point.

Every lap she closed the gap on the #37. And with two laps to go she was close enough for Vapor's spotter to tell her she was fast approaching. Another fast approaching type of Lightning was not far away. The #11 exited three and four and cleared the #37.

Suddenly, as the #11 took the white flag a thunderstorm in the distance discharged a lightning bolt. The live broadcast feed had a camera positioned as such that it caught the bolt in the distance near turn four as the car passed through in view.

"Lightning in the distance in torn four, but Lightning Dust has taken the white flag. Four more corners for the #11." Mike announced as the storm grew ever closer. Dust was not deterred, in fact it made her more focused. She blazed through the lap with no issues to take her first win of the season, becoming the 6th different winner in 6 races.

She just happened to be right behind the #24 as she crossed the line. Viral met her stride and rode with her as they came back around. Eventually, the storm came in at full force pelting the area with some rain. The winds were calm, and undeterred by the storm Lightning decided to test the tires with a very wet burnout. While the smoke was nowhere to be seen, it didn't stop her.

She even climbed out after she was done, and as the rain drenched her and her racing suit she took a page from her Daytona incident and spread her wings wide, bowing to the crowd Kyle Busch style.

Mercifully, Matt Yocum soon came with an umbrella to interview her on the win.

"Lightning you are completely soaked right now bit you don't seem the least bit bothered. An absolutely dominant performance today."

"Yeah. Denny, Gibbs, and Toyota put a lot of effort into the car this year. That, that was the best damn car I've driven in a long time. Of course gotta thank Gatorade, it's a pleasure having them on the car. It, it's so great being in victory lane."

"That's good to hear, I'll let you get dried off. Enjoy that win."

"I will Matt, thanks."

"Mike?"

"Thanks Matt, good luck staying dry down there. For my colleague Jeff Gordon I am Mike Joy and we'll see you again soon."

Finishing Positions.

1. 11 Lightning Dust 40 Points (+5 Playoff Points)

2. 42 Sunset Shimmer 35 Points

3. 9 Pinkie Pie 34 Points

4. 20 Fluttershy 33 Points

5. 2 Rarity 32 Points

6. 19 Spitfire 31 Points

7. 40 Akula 30 Points

8. 22 Applejack 29 Points

9. 88 Starlight Glimmer 28 Points

10. 24 Viral Velocity 27 Points

11. 37 Vapor Trail 26 Points (1 Lap Down)

12. 8 Bloothy 25 Points (1 Lap Down)

13. 95 Danger Dean 24 Points (1 Lap Down)

14. 10 Octavia Melody 23 Points (1 Lap Down)

15. 6 Scootaloo 22 Points (1 Lap Down)

16. 14 Lyra Heartstrings 21 Points (1 Lap Down)

17. 47 Sky Stinger 20 Points (1 Lap Down)

18. 3 Oscura Galaxia 19 Points (2 Laps Down)

19. 41 Derpy Hooves 18 Points (2 Laps Down)

20. 12 Sweetie Belle 17 Points (4 Laps Down)

21. 4 Vinyl Scratch. 16 Points (23 Laps Down)

22. 48 Twilight Sparkle 15 Points. (DNF Lap 45)

23. 18 Rainbow Dash 14 Points (DNF Lap 36)

24. 21 Apple Bloom 13 Points (DNF Lap 1)

25. 1 Trixie Lulamoon 12 Points (DNF Lap 1)

Standings:

1. Lightning Dust 225 Points (6 Playoff Points-1 Win)

2. Rarity 215 Points (5 Playoff Points-1 Win)

3. Rainbow Dash 214 Points (7 Playoff points-1 Win)

4. Viral Velocity 198 Points (5 Playoff Points-1 Win)

5. Scootaloo 176 Points (5 Playoff Points-1 Win)

6. Vinyl Scratch 151 Points (5 Playoff Points- 1Win)

7. Akula 237 Points (3 Playoff Points)

8. Twilight Sparkle 235 Points (3 Playoff Points)

9. Sunset Shimmer 211 Points

10. Fluttershy 208 Points

11. Pinkie Pie 205 Points (1 Playoff Point)

12. Spitfire 200 Points (1 Playoff Point)

13. Applejack 197 Points (1 Playoff Point)

14. Danger Dean 179 Points

15. Sweetie Belle 156 Points

16. Starlight Glimmer 155 Points

17. Lyra Heartstrings 149 Points

18. Octavia Melody 148 Points

19. Bloothy 133 Points

20. Apple Bloom 130 Points

21. Oscura Galaxia 126 Points

22. Vapor Trail 124 Points

23. Trixie Lulamoon 116 Points

24. Derpy Hooves 108 Points

25. Sky Stinger 101 Points