Author's Note

Finally, this one has been a long time coming. I'm sorry about how long this was delayed while I was working on personal projects, my job, and stuff in relation to my family and Birthday on September 30th. When it comes to prioritizing, I'm not very good.

After Radioactive, next will be Talladega. I have a very interesting storyline planned with Pinkie in the center.

Race 9: Richmond

Richmond Raceway
Richmond, Virginia
Free Practice

Practice for both Cup Series groups was coming to a close, but Sky Stinger was getting on track for one more go around. It had taken him several weeks to settle in to the #47 Kroger Chevrolet and he had payed for it being last in points. Unless he turned his luck around now he had no hope of getting anywhere near the playoffs. He had a few minutes to give the car one last go around the Richmond Raceway, which had proved a challenge to some of his fellow drivers. A short track with low banking and tight exits made it hard to keep the car off the wall if the car was too tight or got too loose, and several cars found the wall during practice.

Sky had taken his time, learning the track as he went and watching his mentor Ricky Stenhouse as well as some of the other Chevy drivers. This time he was going to give it full speed, and after his warmup lap he started a flyer. It was a clean lap, one which he was proud of, but when he came into the pits he had all eyes of the garage on him as he pulled in. He parked the car close to the hauler unsure of why he was being gawked at, but it all became clear when Vapor pointed him in the direction of the scoring monitor.

1. Sky Stinger 21.057
   
2. Martin Truex Jr. 21.061
   
3. Chase Elliott 21.065

For the first time that season, an Equestrian out paced the Cup drivers in Practice. And of all ponies, it had been him.

Qualifying, the following afternoon.

Sky's confidence seemed to grow when all eyes were on him, it showed when he was in the Wonderbolt Academy and it showed here. With his performance in practice there was a sort of expectation for the stallion to qualify inside the top ten at the very least. Everyone knew there was an asterisk to his pace in practice, with the most likely reason being that no one else was giving their all. But he had a point to make, and around the halfway point he was set to make his lap. It was Lightning on pole for the time being, the pony in question quickly showing to be the driving force of JGR in terms of consistency, but she was sharing the front row with Rainbow Dash who, despite missing the previous race for her actions at Texas, hadn't missed a step in pace.

The #47 came on track for an out lap as the #2 pulled in from her lap having posted an 11th best time. But Sky was looking for it all, and with confidence took speed to start his flyer. His entrance in turn one as well as his exit put him up to pace with the two front row drivers, but he made a critical mistake on his arc into turn three. He turned too deep into the corner and had to jump out of the throttle as the car dipped into the banking. He got hard on the throttle again, but this only caused his rear to step out. Now more concerned with keeping the car intact he kept his hoof in it to make sure he cleared the outside wall. He then locked up the front tires, his right front giving off an audible pop as it flat spotted on the front stretch.

It was the worst place for it to happen, and even if he hadn't flat spotted his tires he still had to roll with the punches as a second lap was out of the question. Unfortunately, he had crossed the line as he collected his car. the only positive was that his quick actions prevented any damage to the car or worse a backup to be pulled out. It didn't mean he wasn't furious with how it all went down. Even when he was doing well he still found a way to end up dead last.

All Sky could do was watch as the rest of the field took laps, all of them beating the time set by his car sliding across the line. Though there was in fact a shock pole sitter. As the last car on track, Fluttershy in the Pedigree #20 set her first pole lap of the season. This also locked in her spot for the All-Star race. As the team's packed up to make way for the trucks Sky couldn't help but think of what could have been.

Qualifying Results

1. #20 Fluttershy 21.053
   
2. #11 Lightning Dust 21.055
   
3. #18 Rainbow Dash 21.062
   
4. #22 Applejack 21.066
   
5. #48 Twilight Sparkle 21.072
   
6. #3 Oscura Galaxia 21.076
   
7. #9 Pinkie Pie 21.079
   
8. #42 Sunset Shimmer 21.084
   
9. #1 Trixie Lulamoon 21.087
   
10. #19 Spitfire 21.092
    
11. #12 Sweetie Belle 21.098
    
12. #10 Octavia Melody 21.105
    
13. #40 Akula 21.113
    
14. #95 Danger Dean 21.108
    
15. #24 Viral Velocity 21.112
    
16. #21 Apple Bloom 21.117
    
17. #2 Rarity 21.127
    
18. #37 Vapor Trail 21.136
    
19. #4 Vinyl Scratch 21.146
    
20. #6 Scootaloo 21.152
    
21. #8 Bloothy 21.157
    
22. #41 Derpy Hooves 21.169
    
23. #14 Lyra Heartstrings 21.235
    
24. #88 Starlight Glimmer 21.247
    
25. #47 Sky Stinger 21.673

Saturday Morning
Princess Cruises 200

"From the 1 mile short track of Richmond Raceway it's time for Equestrian Cup action at a track no stranger to a lot of action. Rick Allen joined today by Dale Jr. and someone who is usually out there driving, Brad Keselowski is with us in the commentary box today. Brad good to have you."

"Yeah and thanks for having me, pleasure to be up here."

"Now as the cars get ready to fire, let's talk about Richmond. A historic mile long oval with heavy banking, and a track no stranger to plenty of close racing and also plenty of cautions. What does it take to be successful at this track?"

"Well it's a very hard track to come to grips with, with fresh tires you can get on the gas a little quicker through the exits of the corners but as those tires began to wear out you get more and more likely to hit the wall if you push too hard. The racing is always really close, and it's easy to get caught up in some one else mistakes."

"Thanks Brad, late breaking stories starting with Jamie."

"Rick all is back on track for the #18 team after Dash's one race suspension served last week, but there is a sense of renewed confidence in the team as a whole. They showed great speed in practice and qualifying, and when asked about the incident two weeks ago Dash played it off saying 'There's no hard feeling between us long term, but that doesn't mean I'll give when the race is on the line'. She's starting on the second row. Regan."

"Jamie if the #18 team is confident the team around the #20 is looking ecstatic. You talk about a team that has been slowly improving as the year goes on, and it's not just the team Fluttershy is also growing as the team's driver. The Pedigree Toyota is looking mighty fast with her behind the wheel today. Marty."

"The #2 team mathematically locked themselves into the playoffs last week at Bristol, and there have been talks that the team are taking a step back this week. While Rarity did have a poor qualifying, starting in 17th, she was dealing with major issues throughout practice and qualifying after hitting the wall with the right front during practice. The team opted not to pull out the only backup car they had, so She'll have to struggle home tonight Rick."

"Marty you bring up a good point, the teams are allowed to build separate cars from both The Monster Energy Cup and Equestrian Cup Series but they only get one backup car between both drivers. Now the Cup driver's do have priority in the matter, but this brings up a point. NASCAR states that if both Cup and Equestrian Cup driver require a backup car, then the Equestrian Cup Driver may seek out a replacement provided that it is the same manufacturer and that it passes inspection. Is it worth the risk of getting the backup?"

"It's all about the situation Rick, if you have a spot in the playoffs on the line of course you are going to want to use that extra car. But Rarity already has two wins, she's locked in in every way possible. The team felt like they didn't need to take that risk, but she's going to have a long night."

"Alright, pace car is in as we get ready to go green for 200 laps at Richmond!"

Having to yet again start at the rear, Sky had it all to do as the field came out onto the track. Yet, there was some confidence there. He knew he had the speed, he just needed to find it consistently. He was anxious to get work done, and after some pace laps the field was led to green by the pair of Toyota's on the front row.

The green flag was waved, and the #20 and #11 got off even on the jump with Fluttershy gaining the inside advantage into turn one. The start was not without a mess, as Oscura immediately tried to jump around the outside of the #22. On a track like Richmond this could only lead to chaos. They went three wide with Rainbow into turn 3, and none gave. Oscura was pushed into the marbles and out of the corner.

She was immediately pressured by Twilight on her inside, as the Texas Tangle of Applejack and Rainbow continued side by side for a couple more laps as Fluttershy and Lightning pulled away. On lap 4, Twilight got the run she wanted to get ahead of Oscura, yet locked up while diving in. This inability to stop launched her into Rainbow, who in turn was taken along for a ride into the #22.

Rainbow channeled a little Kyle Busch, and was able to control her spinning #18 onto the apron and around with minimal damage. She would drive away from this one. Applejack was caught off guard by the sudden hit and backed her Ford into the outside wall, while Twilight pulled the big mistake of overcorrecting and went in nose first with the right front before her Chevrolet found the door of the #22. Oscura having been caught out of the groove was forced to check up massively in the wreck and lost out on field position, same for Dash who had to wait for the field to pass by as she found a gear and recovered her car.

"Side by side for third, and for 5th behind them. Into turn 3, the #18 looking to finish the move...as they make contact into the corner! Both of them spin, the #22 into the wall! The #48 caught up in it as well. Dash slides down onto the apron, and for the third time this season...the #18 and #22 make contact, and we have a caution." Rick Allen followed the incident either Jr. And Brad watching along with him.

At least Rainbow could say this one was not her fault. It didn't keep AJ from being visibly frustrated as she got out of the #22, having been all too familiar with the #18 ever since Vegas, and she was about to make sure Dash knew how she felt.

Thankfully, Twilight was just as quick to get out of her Chevrolet and grabbed the earth pony in an attempt to keep her from doing anything stupid. There was an exchange of words between them, with Twilight explaining how the incident was her fault, and the pair walked over to the ambulance together. Not before Applejack glared a dagger into the #18 Toyota passing by at the tail of the field.

The three in the booth got to dissecting the incident, starting with an on board from the #48. It was Dale Jr. That followed it.

"Side by side with the #3 coming into the corner, all good coming in. Oh..she can't get the car to stop. She hits the #18, then into the #22 after a pretty hard hit into the outside wall."

"So, not even Rainbow or Applejack's fault, but both of them fall victim to a mistake from the car behind, and it looks to have cost them both a good race."

The cars were cleared and the race resumed on lap 7, Sky inheriting a few positions and restarting 20th. At the front, it would he a little closer of a fight. On the restart both Chevy's of Pinkie and Sunset have big pushes to the lead pair of Toyotas, but the #20 could not get any traction of the restart and Lightning cleared into turn one. Fluttershy did manage to keep going, and settled into second followed by Sunset, Pinkie, and Spitfire.

Towards the rear, Dash was now on a recovery drive. She immediately got under the #14 for 21st. And after a few laps she was up the rear of Sky's Chevrolet. He was well aware that Rainbow would have been much faster, and didn't give her much fight as she rocketed by. Her incredible pace did give him an idea though.

Lap 25

As the laps continued on and Dash continued her charge through the field, he followed her slipstream. Every move she made, he mirrored as best he could.

For a while it worked, and he found himself in 15th on lap 25 after passing the #2 of Rarity who had been seemingly taking this week off because of her compromised car.

At the front, Dust and Fluttershy were long gone, and the pace of the JGR cars was evident as Spitfire passed both Sunset and Pinkie into third. Also on the move was Dean who was in 7th after a disappointing qualifying. With how quickly Rainbow was charging back through the field there was no doubt the Toyota's were fast this week.

Dash and Sky were in a hot four way battle for the 12th position with Octavia and Oscura. The #10 was having her best run of the season, and her car was somehow keeping Dash at bay, forcing the Toyota to run around the outside. Oscura was also on the outside of Sky, and dove deep around the outside of the #47 with a strong run but was stuffed by Dash's Toyota being planted on the outside.

Lap 40

Oscura was hungry for stage points. She forced the issue into turn three, trying to bump Dash despite her already being two with with Octavia. She got Dash loose, the sure hooves of the cyan pegasus keeping the car straight as the #3 went in between. Sky stayed low, following Octavia as Oscura cleared herself and forced the #18 to back out.

Dash was not gonna be pushed around, and stayed with them for a few more laps as Sky went side by side with the unicorn. He had the edge, and tried to cut off the #3's air on the exit. Oscura then tried to dive beneath into turn 1, but Dash was well underneath her.

Oscura turned herself over Dash's right front, over corrected, and popped the turn one wall with her right front. Dash herself was fine, and all traffic behind managed to slow down as the caution came out. Oscura wasted zero time getting out of the car and waiting for the field, the unicorn having had enough of the bad luck she was gifted for the night.

From the booths perspective, they had the broadcast swap over to the action just as Oscurs impacted.

"And perhaps it will be another stage win for the #11. A very good showing so far for... that team, Oh what a massive hit...Oscura. She continues to have woeful performances. 3rd week in a row she has been involved in a massive incident."

"Rick she was running around where the #47 and #18 were, trying to make up spots through the field."

Brad continued as a replay was brought up.

"They were racing for about 13th spot, #47 in the top, #3 in the middle.... she just turned down across Dash's nose. Ooh, hard hit."

"You're right Brad, just not clear to cut down and make that move, as we ride here with the #18...just comes down into her right front. Overcorrects into the outside wall. Rainbow has been in some incidents, but she's just been a bystander. She keeps getting caught up in situations she can't do anything about." Jr. Added.

The stage ended under caution, but as the #18 came back around Oscura got up to the driver's side and wacked the window net with her helmet. Dash, not wanting to be on even thinner ice, ignored the attempt at violence and continued on.

Stage 1 Results

1. #11 Lightning Dust 10 Points (1 Playoff Point)
   
2. #20 Fluttershy 9 Points
   
3. #19 Spitfire 8 Points
   
4. #42 Sunset Shimmer 7 Points
   
5. #9 Pinkie Pie 6 Points
   
6. #1 Trixie Lulamoon 5 Points
   
7. #95 Danger Dean 4 Points
   
8. #40 Akula 3 Points
   
9. #24 Viral Velocity 2 Points
   
10. #21 Apple Bloom 1 Point

Stage ending pitstops were standard fare, but the #20 was faster than the #11 team and with Fluttershy's pit box at the very end of the pit lane she was able to pull out and grab the lead by a nose over Lightning. Some other drivers moved up, Akula's #40 team with a brilliant stop allowed him to grab 3 spots, moving up to 5th.

Sky would be restarting the stage in 11th, Rainbow on his outside as the green fell. With the preferred lane, the #20 moved to the front with a little assistance from the #9. Pinkie could not quite clear Lightning, and after a few laps had to sit down in third with all three Ganassi cars running directly behind her.

The Toyota's were on the move as well, 15 laps in to stage two and Spitfire, Dean, and Rainbow had all gotten inside the top ten. Sky was still right behind tenth, and with Vapor in 13th JTG was also having a race to remember. A team not having a good race was Penske.

Aside from Applejack, their only competitive driver that night, leaving the track early. Rarity was struggling with a poorly handling car, Sweetie and Apple Bloom were mostly edging on the top 15, and Scootaloo was having a night to forget in 20th.

Just when they thought it couldn't get any worse, it did. Lap 63, and Rarity was side by side with with the #88 of Glimmer. It was fair racing with no contact, but Rarity couldn't avoid hitting the wall for the second time that week. She kept going, but after a few laps the tire began to rub off on the fender. On lap 67, the tire gave way in the high lane of turn 4 and sent the previous weeks winner into the wall for a third time.

Dale Jr. Caught this one as it happened.

"Sorry guys got a car in the wall in turn 4. Right front tire on the #2, she hit the wall a few laps before and I was watching her struggle. The tire finally goes in turn 4, and it looks like she's had enough. Makes the left turn, straight to the infield."

This one finished the deed, as Rarity pulled the plug on her race and got out with no issue. The hit wasn't nearly anything bad, but she took initiative and called it a night, pulling into the garage.

The stage resumed with 30 laps to go. The two Toyota's in front getting away evenly, but the #19 pushing the #20 ahead. They were trailed by the Ganassi trio, with Sunset and Akula side by side and Trixie following. The #1 needed to have a good result if they wanted to stay on the playoff bubble, and Trixie was a decent short track driver. Both the #40 and #42 held side by side for a few laps, leaving Trixie with little room to work with.

Lap 84

Trixie was getting impatient. She desired more, and when some room opened up between her teammates through turn two she forced her way in. Neither Sunset nor Akula were expecting this crazy attempt, and so when Sunset moved back to to side draft the changeling her left rear crossed over Trixie's right front. This carried both of them into the #40, with Sunset hitting Akula's right front and Trixie ending up in his right rear.

Akula managed to steer his car away from the wall and minimize his damage, while Sunset rebounded into the outside wall and Trixie turned off Akula and hit harder with the right front. Dean behind did an amazing job to get out of the way for Pinkie as both darted down to the apron, and the remaining traffic behind kept clean.

"Look at this, tremendous battle from the teammates. Trixie is gonna have a look as well, in the middle! That can't work! Contact in turn 3! The #42 in the wall, the #1 as well. Once again, caution is out and just like that Ganassi goes from a triple top 5...into what could end up being no cars in the top 10."

Akula was pissed, but Sunset may have been even more upset. Somehow, Trixie kept her car going and stubbornly wanted to continue on. Akula's right front damage was easily corrected and he stayed on the lead lap, Sunset's crew took a bit longer to tape up the right front, and she went a lap down. The #1 team tried to do something, but ultimately the right front was bent inward and the suspension was no longer stable.

When racing resumed once again, Fluttershy stayed strong under pressure and completed the stage.

Stage 2 Results

1. #20 Fluttershy 10 Points (+1 Playoff Point)
   
2. #11 Lightning Dust 9 Points
   
3. #19 Spitfire 8 Points
   
4. #95 Danger Dean 7 Points
   
5. #9 Pinkie Pie 6 Points
   
6. #24 Viral Velocity 5 Points
   
7. #21 Apple Bloom 4 Points
   
8. #12 Sweetie Belle 3 Points
   
9. #18 Rainbow Dash 2 Points
   
10. #47 Sky Stinger 1 Point

On the subsequent pitstops, there were plays on strategy. Some teams took only two tires, including Lightning who took the lead again, Rainbow who managed to gain an additional 6 spots into third, and Akula mitigating the consequences of the crash and jumping back into the top ten. With the field shaken up, the final stage started.

Now that she was back up front Rainbow was ready to show her speed, but Lightning was slow off the line with only two tires and Fluttershy managed to once again get ahead. The Toyota train raged on, and for once there was some clean green flag racing.

Lap 157

The field was now well spread out, some minor battles that were for back half positions were occurring but at the front the Toyotas could not be caught. Fluttershy, Lightning, Rainbow, and Spitfire led a JGR 1-2-3-4 with Dean right behind.

Green flag pitstops would occur shortly, but the #47 team wanted to shift things around. Sky pitted early, only fueling the car so that it would make it to the end.

They didn't have any sets of tires, but if a caution came out at the right time he would be towards the front of the field.

Of the leaders, Rainbow was next. Finally putting on the left side tires and heading off. Lightning came in on the subsequent lap, also getting left sides as did Akula on the same lap.

Lap 170

Now the four tire cars were soon going to be taking final fuel, but with the fresher left side tires those who had taken two tires after stage two were running faster overall.

Fluttershy finally took the left turn after leading for the entire stage to fuel up, which would have lost her quite a few positions.

Luck was just on her side though, as in turn 2 the #12 cut a left front tire on the front stretch. A third car from Penske getting dropped for the night. Caution out, and with the field slowing down only the #47, #11 and #18 were able to cycle out ahead of the #20.

Ever vigilant, Dale Jr. Was the first to call the #12.

"Car in the wall in turn 1!"

"The #12 in to the wall just as the #20 comes into the pits, so Fluttershy will be able to finish her stop and ever car behind except for the two tire stoppers who already pit will now have to refuel. This changes everything."

"No warning, I don't know if I ran over something or what. It just dropped going into one, I don't know what happened."

"Well Belle obviously upset about that after running in the top ten for a long time this race..."
The replay camera on the front stretch was brought up.
"...Let's see what happened to the #12. Coming off turn four and tire goes...right there just past the flag stand. The #12 into the wall."

"Well Rick it's unfortunate but sometimes when these runs go for so long they can go unexpectedly. I have a fair share of failures in my time, sometimes you get a warning and sometimes it hits suddenly."

"Running around the top ten for most of the day. Pit road is open for any drivers who have not stopped yet."

"#47 is going to cycle to the lead if everyone pits like they should.

The caution was right when Sky needed it, after the two tire cars had stopped but just before the four tires cars began to stop. After the rest of the field pitted for fuel he, Dash, Dust, and Fluttershy stood on the front two rows.

With only 15 laps to go it would be a hard task to keep them behind, but Sky was a confident stallion.

Yet, when the green flag waved Dust sent him into the first turn. He got stuck in the middle and shuffled back behind both of them. Fluttershy then passed him in the next corner. A few laps later Spitfire got around him as well with a smooth bump and run.

By the time he got to the final lap, Dean was all over him. Out of turn two Dean got a nice run, dove in under the #47 and performed a textbook slide job to secure the position.

"Sky, trying to hold on to whatever he can, but up front...she stayed out of trouble, she held her ground, and at Denny Hamlin's home track...it will be the #11, not driven by Hamlin, but Lightning Dust. She'll win at Richmond. Rainbow Dash, recovers to 2nd. Fluttershy did all she could, comes home third, and Spitfire...its a Joe Gibbs Racing 1-2-3-4 finish."

Sky eventually finished 6th, but the Toyotas could not be stopped. Lightning secured her second win, Rainbow had an amazing comeback to finish second, Fluttershy drove flawlessly and was a victim of stategy, while Spitfire did every she needed to secure a solid result.

While it was Lightning celebrating the win, Rainbow did not want to be left out. As the #11 pulled up to the grandstands the #18 drove around an pulled a 180. While it was not planned, both seemed to get the same idea as the Toyota's locked bumpers and spun their tires up.

"And look at that, that's something Kyle Busch would do with his drivers in the truck series. A little bumper to bumper burnout action from the 1st and 2nd place drivers."

When all was said and done, Lightning got out to a standing ovation while the #18 drove away.

Finishing Positions

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

2. 18 Rainbow Dash 35 Points

3. 20 Fluttershy 34 Points

4. 19 Spitfire 33 Points

5. 95 Danger Dean 32 Points

6. 47 Sky Stinger 31 Points

7. 9 Pinkie Pie 30 Points

8. 24 Viral Velocity 29 Points

9. 21 Apple Bloom 28 Points

10. 40 Akula 27 Points

11. 10 Octavia Melody 26 Points

12. 42 Sunset Shimmer 25 Points

13. 37 Vapor Trail 24 Points

14. 88 Starlight Glimmer 23 Points

15. 6 Scootaloo 22 Points

16. 4 Vinyl Scratch 21 Points

17. 14 Lyra Heartstrings 20 Points

18. 41 Derpy Hooves 19 Points (1 Lap Down)

19. 8 Bloothy 18 Points (1 Lap Down)

20. 12 Sweetie Belle 17 Points (DNF Lap 170)

21. 1 Trixie Lulamoon 16 Points (DNF Lap 84)

22. 2 Rarity 15 Points (DNF Lap 67)

23. 3 Oscura Galaxia 14 Points (DNF Lap 40)

24. 22 Applejack 13 Points (DNF Lap 4)

25. 48 Twilight Sparkle 12 Points (DNF Lap 4)

1. Lightning Dust 336 Points (2 Wins-12 Playoff Points)

2. Rarity 301 Points (2 Wins-10 Playoff Points)

3. Applejack 303 Points (1 Win-7 Playoff Points)

4. Viral Velocity 301 Points (1 Win-7 Playoff Points)

5. Rainbow Dash 276 Points (1 Win-7 Playoff Points)

6. Scootaloo 235 Points (1 Win-5 Playoff Points)

7. Vinyl Scratch 209 Points (1 Win-5 Playoff Points)

8. Sunset Shimmer 337 Points (2 Playoff Points)

9. Pinkie Pie 336 Points (1 Playoff Point)

10. Fluttershy 331 Points (1 Playoff Point)

11. Akula 323 Points (3 Playoff Points)

12. Twilight Sparkle 320 Points (3 Playoff Points)

13. Spitfire 320 Points (1 Playoff Point)

14. Danger Dean 295 Points (1 Playoff Point)

15. Sweetie Belle 242 Points

16. Octavia Melody 235 Points

17. Starlight Glimmer 231 Points

18. Bloothy 207 Points

19. Lyra Heartstrings 206 Points

20. Apple Bloom 205 Points

21. Vapor Trail 191 Points

22. Trixie Lulamoon 186 Points

23. Oscura Galaxia 181 Points

24. Sky Stinger 169 Points

25. Derpy Hooves 165 Points