Daytona Beach, Florida - Daytona International Speedway

--FS1 Broadcast--

"It's time to determine the starting grid for the Daytona 500. Hello everyone and welcome to the Bluegreen Vacations Duel at Daytona. Hi everyone, I'm Mike Joy alongside Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer. So, it's time the talking stops and Clint, who are you watching tonight."

"Well, Mike I got my sights on Jimmie Johnson. 7-time champion, he was not able to beat Anthony Alfredo and David Ragan's lap times yesterday. And now he has to race his way into the Daytona 500, something he's never done before."

"And Kevin, what do you think? You think the Toyotas have a shot given they qualified way back?"

"Well Mike, the Toyotas have been known for starting in the back and making they're way forward. So, I think today is no different."

"Well, let's see who will lock up the second row for the Daytona 500. Here's the cars that are racing in Duel 1, Jimmie Johnson has to beat JJ Yeley to lock himself into the Great American Race. And in Duel 2, it's a race between 3 open cars. Mike Rogers, BJ McLeod, and Kaz Grala. Rogers will have to beat both of those guys to make it into the Great American Race. It's time to get Duel 1 underway, let's go trackside for opening ceremonies."

Mike Joy: "Way outside is Yeley trying to hold off Johnson. Here they come to the line. Johnson ahead of Yeley and FOR THE WIN!!! TYLER REDDICK!!! For Toyota."

Clint Bowyer: "And Jimmie Johnson's ahead of Yeley!"

Kevin Harvick: "Look at him."

Clint Bowyer: "He did it."

Kevin Harvick: "That all happened up in Turn 4 to the start-finish line."

Mike Joy: "Jimmie Johnson has raced his way into the Daytona 500! JJ Yeley will be the first car to be sent home."

Mike strapped into his car as he and 21 other cars were getting ready to go.

"Radio check," Justin Alexander called on his radio.

"Loud and clear," Mike replied.

"Hey Mike, can you hear me?"

Mike knew who this voice was. It was his spotter. "Yup, loud and clear," he replied.

Up in the pit box, Rara watched as the cars fired up and headed out on track. She couldn't help but feel worried about Mike again. 'Oh, Mike. Please be careful out there.' she thought.

Meanwhile, up in the grandstands, the Mane 6, Coco, Starlight, and Spike all watched as the cars lined up two-by-two as they neared the flag stand. "Come on, Mike!" yelled Applejack.

"Yeah!" cried Rainbow Dash. "Just avoid whatever happens and stay ahead of those two guys."

"Wait, those 2 guys?" Asked Starlight. "There's like... 22 cars out there. Doesn't he have to beat all 21 of them in order to win?"

"Not necessarily," said Twilight. "You see in NASCAR, 36 entries have charters. These charters guarantee those 36 drivers into every race, including the Daytona 500. However, there are also some cars that don't have charters. Mike's car is one of them. And in order to race in the Daytona 500, he has to beat two other guys. Specifically, those two," Twilight explained as she pointed her finger to BJ McLeod and Kaz Grala.

Just then, the pace car pulled off the track and onto pit road. There weren't that many people and ponies in attendance, but those that did cheered as the cars prepared to take the green flag.

--FS1 Broadcast--

Mike Joy: "Pace car makes that hard left turn to pit road. McDowell chose the outside, he and Cindric, two Mustangs LEAD THEM TO GREEN!!!"

The green flag was waved and the cars accelerated away.

Clint Bowyer: "Where did that outside go, Kevin?"

Kevin Harvick: "Well, they had the start coordinated between the 2 Fords of Austin Cindric and Michael McDowell for Michael McDowell to take off and come down in front of Austin Cindric so they were lined up early."

Clint Bowyer: "Already see Keselowski hung out on the outside as they go 3-wide."

Lap 15 of 60

Mike was running at the back. Daytona was drafting track, which means that ALL of that cars are gonna race in a giant pack. Pack racing is highly prone to huge pile ups occurring, so he had to keep his car clean if he wanted to race his way into the Daytona 500.

"You're doing a good job. Keep going," his spotter called in his radio.

Mike didn't reply, he just kept his eyes on the pack in front of him.

Up in the grandstands, the girls and Spike all watched as the cars raced by. "Wait, Mike's running last," said Starlight. "That's gonna help him."

"Well, you'll see why later in this race," Rainbow Dash said in an ominous way.

Lap 45 of 60

Mike had lost the draft a bit, but he wasn't far behind. He saw how crazy things were starting to become so he decided to back off. That proved to be a BRILLIANT idea. There were 14 laps to go in the 2nd duel race and it looked like BJ McLeod was going to be the last open car to make it in the Daytona 500 as the cars made they're way to the tri-oval.

Then, there was trouble.

--FS1 Broadcast--

Clint Bowyer: "Blaney went to move up, make a pass. Byron blocked him. Got him-"

Mike Joy: "OHHH!!!! BYRON, BLANEY!!! INTO THE WALL!!!"

Clint Bowyer: "KYLE BUSCH!!!"

Mike Joy: "And just like last year, Blaney gets caught up in the big one."

Clint Bowyer: "Looks like he's gettin' out okay. Saw it comin'. He made the move, Byron went to block, and it just got 'em stacked up behind them. And started tank swapping and it was gone."

Mike Joy: "Noah Gragson involved. Blaney walks away from his car, he is okay. Ugh, Riley Herbst's race ends early."

Kevin Harvick: "That was a BIG shot for Blaney."

Mike Joy: "And damage on the right front for BJ McLeod."

Clint Bowyer: "Haley with a lot of damage on his car. McLeod's the one that REALLY needed to get through there unscathed, unfortunately, did not."

Mike was racing a bit behind the pack as the crash happened. As he made his way off of Turn 4, he spotted some puffs of tire smoke and immediately slowed down.

"Whoa, big crash in front of you. CHECK UP, CHECK UP, CHECK UP!!!"

Mike listened to his spotter and quickly took evasive action. He drove through the wreck with no problem.

Up in the grandstands, the girls and Spike all watched as the wreck happened and Mike got through completely unscathed. "See, I told ya it was gonna happen soon," said Rainbow Dash.

"I take it that's why Mike went to the back of the field?" Asked Starlight.

"Yup," AJ replied. "When ya race at places like these, ya either join the pack or kiss yer race goodbye."

The race was red flagged due to huge amount of car parts that littered the track, but it didn't last long and the track was soon cleared. Allowing the race to restart.

"Ready, ready. Green, green, green."

The green flag flew and the race for the final spot in the Daytona 500 was on.

Final Lap

--FS1 Broadcast--

Mike Joy: "Burton just couldn't squeeze down, SO CINDRIC DOES!!! Goes underneath Harrison Burton and it's Austin Cindric chasing Christopher Bell for the win! Rogers, Grala, and McLeod are all right together. SIDE BY SIDE!!! ONE OF THEM MAKES IT, THE OTHER 2 GO HOME!!! HERE WE COME TO THE LINE, CHRISTOPHER BELL'S GONNA WIN IT!!! 2ND IS CINDRIC AND MAKING THE DAYTONA 500!!! Appears to be Mike Rogers!"

Clint Bowyer: "Harrison Burton was REALLY hoping he was gonna get that help to stay with him off of 4 by Cindric. Cindric went for it on the bottom."

Kevin Harvick: "He's not gonna be happy about that."

Clint Bowyer: "No, no."

Kevin Harvick: "You know I think being on the same team, I think Harrison Burton is gonna be severely unhappy with Austin Cindric."

Clint Bowyer: "Yeah, I think rightfully so."

Mike Joy: "Rogers 10th, Grala 12th, McLeod 14th."

"YOUR IN THE SHOW!!!"

"What? Really?"

"YEAH, MAN!!! YOU BEAT THE 2 OTHER GUYS!!! WE'RE IN THE DAYTONA 500!!!

Mike couldn't believe what he just heard. He started yelling happily in the car.

Up in the pit box, Rara and the rest of the pit crew all cheered as Mike raced his way into the Great American Race. Meanwhile, up in the grandstands, the girls and Spike all cheered as well. "Haha yeah!" Rainbow Dash cheered.

"Way to go, Mike!" yelled Applejack.

Mike parked his car on pit road and got out, overjoyed. The pit crew came in and cheered for him. Mike looked over and spotted Rara running towards him. He hopped down, knowing Rara was gonna give him another huge hug. This time though, he was prepared. Rara ran over and hugged Mike, Mike graciously returned it. Just then, one of the TV reporters, Regan Smith, came with his mic and a camera man.

"Well, it was quite the roller coaster ride for Mike Rogers. Last night, you weren't able to time in, and then you come here tonight and lock yourself into the Daytona 500, how are those nerves right now?"

"Oh, you have no idea," Mike replied as he answered Regan Smith's question. "I'm just very glad to have this T-Mobile Chevy in the Daytona 500, and we hope to be at the front in the race."

"Thanks, Mike," Regan Smith said as he and the camera man walked away to interview other drivers.

"You did it," Rara said with a huge smile.

"Yeah, I did," Mike sighed as he and Rara shared another hug.

--FS1 Broadcast--

"There's smiles, celebrations, and victories, but there's also heartbreak. Kaz Grala, JJ Yeley, and BJ McLeod will be sent home. But they have made these duel races fun to watch. So, what have we learned other than things happen fast out there?"

"Well, I learned tonight. I was a little bit overwhelmed with everything that was going on I apologize for that, but it was intense, we tore up a lot of race cars, we have to work on the things that we have to do from a handling perspective, the Toyotas are fast, and... what else Clint?"

"Fords. Talked about Toyotas got a new body, the Fords also have new bodies. They should be something to look out for."

"Well, be sure to catch the action this weekend. Live coverage will start on FOX at 2:30pm eastern time. Congratulations to Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell for winning these Duel races, as well as to Jimmie Johnson and Mike Rogers for racing they're ways into the Daytona 500. We'll see you all on Sunday for the Great American Race."

As Mike and Rara were leaving the track to return to they're hotel room, they said goodbye to the Mane 6, Starlight, Spike, and Coco. Using they're teleporter bracelets, they all returned to Equestria. Suddenly, Rara realized something. "Wait, Mike. Didn't you say that your brother John was gonna be here? I haven't seen him at the Rolex 24 or any of these other races," she said.

"Well, he was going to. But because Martha is nearing the end of her pregnancy, he cancelled his ticket so he could look after her," explained Mike. "A pregnant woman needs to be looked after, ESPECIALLY when they're about to give birth. Isn't that right?"

Rara looked at Mike with surprise. She knew John's wife was pregnant with they're first child, but the fact that John decided to not attend Mike's race because his wife, Martha, was about to give birth to they're child, made Rara realize that everyone and everypony can have the choice to give up something important to look after someone they care about. "Y-yes, it is," she stammered.

Mike sighed. "Of course, I would love it if he was here to support me, given he's the only family I've got left," Mike said as he looked at Rara and put a hand on her chin. "But with you being here, I feel more supported than I've ever been."

Mike's words made Rara blush. Her eyes twinkled as she smiled lovingly at Mike and kissed him. Mike returned the kiss and after they're lips separated, they walked towards the hotel, knowing they had a long weekend ahead of them.

To Be Continued.

Author's Note

This is a fictionalized version of the 2024 Daytona Duels. If you want to see what happened in the ACTUAL Daytona Duels, you can do so by watching these 2 videos here.