Daytona Beach, Florida - Daytona International Speedway

--FOX Broadcast--

The screen turned to a live picture of an aerial view of the 2-mile superspeedway.

"It's time for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season to get underway. Hello everyone and welcome to FOX Sports' coverage of the 66th Annual Daytona 500."

The screen then cut to the same 3 commentators in the commentary box.

"Hello everyone, I'm Mike Joy, alongside Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer. Guys, the big day is here. How are you all feeling?"

"Oh, Mike. I feel very excited. It's time for the off-season talks to stop and get back into business."

"This is my first year as a commentator so I'm also really excited to see everything from a different point of view."

"Now this is the last year of NASCAR's current TV contract with FOX and NBC. They announced during the off-season that FOX and NBC will return in 2025, alongside Amazon Prime and TNT. And be on the lookout because they're could be some swaps in the booth going into the NBC portion of the season. But enough about that, moments ago Jamie Little caught up with this year's grand marshal, The Rock."

Mike walked around the garage. The track was PACKED with both people and ponies. Since the Daytona 500 is bigger than the Rolex 24, it attracts a much bigger crowd, which is evident by the fact that the grandstand is literally overflowing with spectators. "I have never seen this many people come to the Great American Race," Mike said as he looked at one of his teammates, Kyle Busch, who'll be starting at the rear due to him going to a backup car after his crash in the Duels.

"Yeah, it's packed. And if it wasn't for those Equestrians having different fur colors, I wouldn't be able to figure out who's a human or pony," Kyle replied.

"Let's just hope the Big One is the only crash that happens in this race," said Mike.

"I wouldn't count on that. This IS a superspeedway race after all," Kyle replied.

Mike sighed and watched Kyle Busch walk towards the grid, where he was met by his family. Mike smiled as he hugged his wife and son.

"All set to go."

Mike looked over and saw his crew chief, Justin Alexander. "Alright, I'll meet you on the grid soon," said Mike.

Justin nodded and walked towards they're pit box.

"Hoofsies!"

Mike looked left and right and saw Rara giving her signature 'hoofsies' to many fillies and young mares who lined up and got hoofsies from her.

"Hoofsies! Hoofsies! Hoofsies!"

Rara let out a few giggles as she gave hoofsies to the group of fillies and young mares who lined up to meet her. Some fillies even asked for a picture, to which Rara agreed. Said fillies wrapped they're arms around Rara and they're parents took a picture of they're child with the famous pop-star. The fillies and young mares all beamed as they got their hoofsies. As the last young mare walked away, beaming, Mike walked over to her.

Rara smiled as she watched the beaming, young mare walk away to the grandstand with an understandably excited hop. Once she was out of ear-shot and sight, she let out a huge sigh. It had been a long time since she gave her signature hoofsies to her fans and followers, but seeing that the last time she gave out hoofsies was at the Helping Hooves Music Festival in Ponyville, right before Svengallop was exposed, it didn't make it any easier for her.

"Missed the good old times?"

Startled, Rara looked over and saw Mike walking toward her. She smiled and let out a dreamy sigh. Ever since she first met him, Mike had been nothing but kind and supportive, he always made her happy, and he always treated her right. Realizing she'd been staring, Rara quickly shook her head. "Yeah, I do," she said.

"Well, you might get them back once our tour starts," said Mike.

"Well, with all these fillies and young mares getting my hoofsies, and with how huge that crowd is, I think you're right."

Mike smiled and the two walked towards the grid.

"I have never seen a crowd this huge," said Rara.

"Well, NASCAR is quite the phenomenon so the crowds are going to be big, no matter where you go," said Mike.

"But do people really like seeing something so... dangerous?"

"Well, it mainly depends on who you ask."

Rara couldn't help but feel uneasy, but Mike was a professional so he knew what he was doing. With that in mind, she and Mike walked toward the grid.

Up in the grandstands, the Mane 6, Spike, Starlight, and Coco were all seated in a row high above the tri-oval.

"Ooh! Ooh! Which one is it? Maybe that one! Or that one! OR THAT ONE!"

"Pinkie, Mike's car is over there," Rainbow Dash said pointing to the number 32 T-Mobile car starting 26th on the grid.

"Ohhh! There he is!" Pinkie Pie shouted hyperactively.

The rest of the girls just rolled they're eyes at the fact that Pinkie Pie was being Pinkie Pie.

"Hey, where's Twilight?" Asked Applejack.

The rest of the group looked around the crowd wondering how they're Alicorn friend just vanished. "Oh, there she is," said Spike.

"Are those-" Rainbow Dash was about to ask Pinkie Pie beat her to the punch.

"Oh yeah, those are her childhood friends from Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns," Pinkie replied. And sure enough they were.

Twilight was talking to 3 specific unicorn mares which she reunited with a month before the portals from the United Nations opened. These unicorn mares were Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lemon Hearts. Minuette was wearing a white sleeveless shirt with a blue and white sparkle on it, and a black skirt that went just past her knees. Twinkleshine was wearing a gray and white blouse and a pair jean shorts. And Lemon Hearts was wearing a blue shirt and a pair of black pants. The group of childhood friends shared a giggle as they shared a recent story.

"She did. Twinkleshine literally fell backwards when she first saw those humans emerging from that portal in Canterlot," said Minuette.

"We saw you at the Embassy ceremony," said Twinkleshine.

"You did?" Asked Twilight.

"Sure, we all did. And like the rest of Equestria, we were all cheering at you and your 6 friends from Ponyville."

Twilight smiled before suddenly realizing something. "Hey, where's Moondancer?"

"Oh, she went to get some snacks and drinks for us," said Lemon Hearts. "Though, given how long the lines are, she'll probably miss the drop of the green flag."

Twilight looked down at the grid and said, "Well, I'll try meeting up with you 4 again when we leave."

"Sure thing," said Minuette as Twilight stood up and went back to sitting next to her 6 friends, student, dragon assistant, and Coco.

Mike strapped in his car and put his helmet on. His pit crew then closed and tightened the window net as he made himself comfortable before attaching his steering wheel on the steering rack. Rara sat on top of the pit box with Justin Alexander. She felt nervous as Mike was setting out to a race track again.

"Daytona International Speedway, this is the moment you have all been waiting for! Here to give the command to fire engines is actor, entrepreneur, founder, and United Football League co-owner. The Grand Marshall for the 66th Running of the Daytona 500, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson!"

The crowd roared in cheers.

"In the proud spirit of America. And in the proud spirit of our country. FINALLY! THE ROCK SAYS! DRIVERS, START! YOUR! ENGIIIIIIIINES!!!!!!!!"

The 40 stock cars roared to life as the crowd roared even louder. Rara couldn't help but feel startled and she shakily tried to keep herself from covering her ears as the loud sound of the cars almost deafened her. Soon, the pace car began leading the field off.

"Radio check," Mike heard his crew chief and spotter on the radio.

"Yup, loud and clear," he replied.

--FOX Broadcast--

Mike Joy: "Here's the starting lineup for the 66th Daytona 500. It's an all Ford front row with 2015 winner, Joey Logano and 2021 winner, Michael McDowell."

Clint Bowyer: "Row 2, both the Daytona Duel winners, Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell."

Kevin Harvick: "Row 3 is 6-time most popular driver, Chase Elliott and 2022 Daytona 500 winner, Austin Cindric."

Mike Joy: "Row 4, Alex Bowman and 3-time Daytona 500 winner, Denny Hamlin."

Kevin Harvick: Row 5, the youngest driver in the field, Carson Hocevar and starting 10th is John Hunter Nemechek."

Clint Bowyer: "Row 6, Erik Jones and Harrison Burton."

Mike Joy: "Row 7, Daniel Suarez and rookie of the year contender, 2022 Truck Series Champion, Zane Smith."

Kevin Harvick: "Row 8, 2023 rookie of the year, Ty Gibbs and Brad Keselowski."

Clint Bowyer: "Row 9, Kyle Larson and his teammate, William Byron."

Kevin Harvick: "Starting 19th is Chris Buescher and starting 20th is Chase Briscoe."

Clint Bowyer: "Row 11, Ross Chastain and Justin Haley."

Mike Joy: "Row 12, 7-time champion, Jimmie Johnson and Bubba Wallace."

Kevin Harvick: "Rolling off in Row 13 today, Ryan Preece who had a HORRIFIC crash here this past August. And Mike Rogers who raced his way in the Duels on Thursday."

Clint Bowyer: "Row 14, 2017 champion, Martin Truex, Jr. and AJ Allmendinger who's racing part-time this year."

Mike Joy: "Row 15, Corey LaJoie and 33 year old rookie, Josh Berry."

Kevin Harvick: "Row 16 is Todd Gilliland and our 2023 defending champion, Ryan Blaney."

Clint Bowyer: "Row 17, Austin Dillon, the 2018 Daytona 500 winner and his teammate, Kyle Busch."

Mike Joy: "Row 18, the 2023 Daytona 500 winner, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Riley Herbst."

Kevin Harvick: "Row 19, making his 3rd Daytona 500 start is Daniel Hemric and right behind him is Noah Gragson."

Clint Bowyer: "And rounding out the field in Row 20, the 2 drivers who qualified on speed, Anthony Alfredo and David Ragan, driving a 3rd RFK car."

Up in the grandstands, Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lemon Hearts were watching the pace laps when they noticed somepony walking up the stairs to they're row.

"Oh, hey. Here comes Moondancer with our snacks and drinks," said Minuette.

"Hey, Moony. You're just in time," remarked Twinkleshine.

"Don't call me, Moony," Moondancer grunted.

Moondancer was wearing her signature glasses and black sweater with a white sleeveless shirt underneath which had her cutie mark on it, along with a lavender skirt that reached her knees. The only thing different about her was that she got rid of the tie-up in her mane and now looked exactly like Twilight. If it wasn't for her mane and coat color, people and ponies would assume she was Twilight's twin sister or something.

As she sat down on her chair, Moondancer passed out the nachos, pretzels, and sodas to her friends.

"Ah, great," sighed Lemon Hearts.

"Oh, yeah. Now we're talking," remarked Minuette.

"Mmm, this looks good," said Twinkleshine.

Moondancer grabbed her own bag of popcorn, box of nachos, and soda as she watched down on the track.

"Look, here we go," Minuette shouted as she pointed to the pace car diving onto pit road. The crowd got up on they're feet and took out they're cell phones and cameras as the cars came down to take the green flag.

"Ready, ready. GREEN, GREEN, GREEN!"

--FOX Broadcast--

Mike Joy: "The Daytona 500 is underway!"

The green flag waved and the 40 cars accelerated away. The crowd cheered as the deafening roar echoed everywhere. Since Daytona is a drafting track, the cars couldn't separate from each other. And were all running within a quarter of a foot of each other while running at almost 200 miles per hour.

Lap 6

--FOX Broadcast--

Clint Bowyer: "These guys are gonna have their hands full here in a few laps when these things start slipping and sliding around as the tires wear out."

Mike Joy: "3-wide... about 7 or 8 rows back as they come out of turn 4!"

Mike was running at the back of the pack, trying to keep out of his trouble, but also trying to keep up with the draft.

"You're doing good out there. Now, watch the draft, if you lose it, it's over for us. WHOA, WRECK IN FRONT OF YOU! CHECK UP, CHECK UP, CHECK UP!"

--FOX Broadcast--

Mike Joy: "OH, CRASH!!! ONE CAR GOES SLIDING THROUGH THE GRASS! IT'S HARRISON BURTON AND HE COLLECTS CARSON HOCEVAR!!! AND THEY COME UP BACK UP INTO TRAFFIC!!!"

Clint Bowyer: "Harrison Burton, BIG damage to that 21 car."

Mike Joy: "4 cars were in that."

Kevin Harvick: "6 laps in and we already have damaged race cars."

Clint Bowyer: "Let's see what happened."

The screen then showed a reply of what happened.

Clint Bowyer: "You see Burton there in the middle of three wide. Oh!"

Kevin Harvick: "It looked like John Hunter Nemechek came down on Harrison Burton and that caused him to go around, collecting Carson Hocevar."

Mike Joy: "Or did Brad Keselowski make contact with Nemechek."

The screen then showed another angle.

Clint Bowyer: "Oh, you're exactly right Mike. Keselowski was giving a push to Nemechek and appeared to have gave him a pretty hard shove and that caused Nemechek to go around into the 21 car."

The screen then went back to live picture.

Kevin Harvick: "Terrible break for the Wood Brothers, they're trying to chase they're 100th win. But they're day would only last 6 laps."

Mike Joy: "3 other cars involved. Ryan Preece spun but did not hit anything, Austin Dillon and Jimmie Johnson got some damage but they'll be able to continue, albeit multiple laps down, and Carson Hocevar was hit hard by the spinning Harrison Burton, he and Burton will be out of this race."

Lap 12
--FOX Broadcast--

Mike Joy: "Pace car is in. We are restarting on Lap 12. Green flag back out!"

Mike stepped on it as the restart came. The cars accelerated away as the green flag flew.

Lap 18
--FOX Broadcast--

Mike Joy: "18 laps complete. Christopher Bell's Toyota, side-by-side with Ryan Blaney's Ford for the lead."

"How much can we run?" Asked Mike on his radio.

"We barely can. If you want to pit, you're gonna have to wait until the pit cycle," replied Justin.

"When will that open?"

"Lap 30."

"Ugh! Damn!"

Lap 30
--FOX Broadcast--

Kevin Harvick: "The guys who stayed out, they're not gonna make it to the end of this stage."

Clint Bowyer: "Not without help. OH!"

Mike Joy: "Oh, here we go. Green flag pit-stops."

"Gas only, gas only."

"Fuel only, four seconds."

"Three, two, one!"

The cars pulled into they're pit boxes and the pit crews grabbed the fuel cans and filled up the cars' tanks.

"Go, go, go!"

The cars pulled away and went back onto the track. Already, various mistakes were made as penalties for speeding or for men over the wall too soon were handed out.

Lap 65
--FOX Broadcast--

Mike Joy: "Chase Elliott gets his 2nd stage win in the Daytona 500, he wins stage 1."

Mike crossed the line as the green and white checkered flag flew, signifying a stage break.

"There you go, stage 1 is over, caution's out."

Mike sighed. "How are we running?"

"We're P24."

"Alright, let's keep it up," he replied.

Up in the grandstands, the girls were watching with intent.

"Well, that's one stage out of the way. We still got the other two," said Rainbow Dash.

"You can say that again, the sun is starting to set," said Starlight.

They then watched as the cars made they're pit stops before the start of the 2nd stage.

After the cars made they're pit stops, they lined back up, ready to take the green flag.

--FOX Broadcast--

Mike Joy: "And we're under green! Stage 2 is underway."

The cars accelerated away, no one realized it, but the way they were racing was the sign of things to come.

Lap 190

By now, it was full nighttime. Ryan Blaney won the 2nd stage, the cars had made they're stage break pit stops, took the restart, and made one last pit stop to get to the end. Now, there were 10 laps to go in the Great American Race and if there's one thing that everybody knows, this is when insanity and desperation takes in and chaos takes over the race. The cars were ALL running 3-wide, within a quarter foot of each other, pushing and shoving each other, running at speeds of almost 200 miles per hour. So far, nothing serious had happened since the crash on Lap 6. The only other cautions were for the stage breaks. But everyone knew this was not gonna last.

Up in the pit box, Rara was biting her fingernails, thinking something bad was gonna happen to Mike given he was in the middle of everything. Up in the grandstands, the girls were all watching nervously as the cars raced past the grandstands.

"I don't like the looks of that," said Twilight. "Something's gonna happen."

"Yer right," said AJ. "Mike needs to back off, otherwise he'll get caught in it."

The cars came onto the backstretch and roared down to turn 3, still racing within a quarter of a foot from one another, pushing and shoving each other at speeds of almost 200 miles per hour.

Then... there was trouble.

--FOX Broadcast--

Clint Bowyer: "Ross Chastain lone wolf still leading the field."

All 3 commentators: "OHHHH!!!! NO!!!"

Mike Joy: "KESELOWSKI GETS TURNED BY WILLIAM BYRON!!!! EVERYONE PILES IN!!!

Clint Bowyer: "IT'S THE BIG ONE!!!"

"CHECK UP, CHECK UP, CHECK UP, GET LOW, IT'S HUGE!!! GO LOW, LOW, LOW, LOW, LOW, LOW!!!"

"AGH!!! I'VE BEEN HIT!!!" Called Mike on his radio as his car spun around.

"Lock it down, lock it down!"

Mike car came to a stop. "I've been hit on the quarter panel," he said.

"Alright, bring it in before they red flag it."

Mike re-fired his car before driving it back to pit road. As he got there, the pit crew observed the left-rear quarter panel.

"Alright, it looks good. Just a bunch of scuffs."

Mike sighed in relief before his car was let go from the jack, allowing him to leave pit road and join the rest of the field before the red flag was displayed for track clean-up.

--FOX Broadcast--

Mike Joy: "20 cars were all taken out in that crash."

Clint Bowyer: "MAN!!! A lot of good ones."

Mike Joy: "Now, they red flagged the race to clean up the track so let's use this opportunity to talk to one of the drivers."

Kevin Harvick: "I got it, let's talk to that guy right there, Mike Rogers. Hey Mike, it's the guys up in the FOX Sports booth, you got us?"

"Yes, sir. I got ya."

Kevin Harvick: "Hey, man. You are going to perform in a tour with the famed Equestrian Pop-Star herself, Countess Coloratura, how do you feel about that?"

"Oh, you have no idea. I've worked so hard on my audition for that singing contest in Nashville and I'm looking forward to finally getting it started. I've been getting to know her over these past few months, so I really hope I can please her since she is in attendance tonight."

Kevin Harvick: "Yeah, listen you got some damage on that left-rear quarter panel, do you think you can drive around with that?"

"Well, half the field's been taken out so I think I can give the top 10 cars a challenge."

The 3 commentators all shared a chuckle at Mike's corny joke.

Kevin Harvick: "Alright, good luck out there."

"Thanks."

Mike Joy: "Mike Rogers has gotten through the melee, he'll restart 13th. Now, we mentioned that he's become a singing partner for one of the Equestrian pop-stars, Countess Coloratura, who, according to him, is in attendance for this race."

The screen then changed to a shot of Mike's pit box. The camera pointed to the top of it, showing Rara on it. She looked up at the pit box's TV screens before going wide-eyed and looking to her right, right towards the camera. She smiled and waved at the camera.

Clint Bowyer: "Look, there she is!"

Mike Joy: "Yup, that's her."

Clint Bowyer: "So glad to see some celebrities here."

Lap 195

After a long clean-up, the cars began rolling again. After pacing around for a few laps, the pace car dove onto pit road.

--FOX Broadcast--

Mike Joy: "4 LAPS TO GO, WE'RE BACK UNDER GREEN!!!"

The cars accelerated away, ready for a 4 lap shootout to end the race. Mike kept himself on edge, his spotter was constantly on the radio, telling him what to do.

Lap 200 (Final Lap)

"Here we go, comin' to the white flag."

--FOX Broadcast--

Clint Bowyer: "Here we go, final lap."

All 3 commentators: "WHOA!!!!"

Mike Joy: "CHASTAIN SLIDES THROUGH THE GRASS!!! HE TAKES AUSTIN CINDRIC WITH HIM!!!"

"Wrecking through the grass, wrecking through the grass!"

Mike kept himself out of harm's way of the spinning cars as Austin Cindric came back up across the track and took out David Ragan.

"Caution's out, caution's out."

--FOX Broadcast--

Mike Joy: "The leader has taken the white flag. Which means the race is official. NASCAR will go back and review the moment of caution to see who was in the lead."

After a few minutes of waiting, the call came.

Mike Joy: "WILLIAM BYRON WINS THE DAYTONA 500!!!"

Clint Bowyer: "HA!!! How about that!"

"P10! NICE JOB!!!"

Mike sighed. "Thank you guys. Great effort there."

Up in the pit box, Rara sighed, knowing all of the dangerous running is over and Mike was gonna come back safe. Meanwhile, up in the grandstands, the girls all cheered.

"Whoo-wee!!! Now that's how it's done!" Yelled Applejack.

As William Byron drove to victory lane, Mike parked his car on pit road and got out of his car. He sighed in relief, seeing that the pack racing was over. He then looked up at the crowd and smiled at a job well done. Suddenly, he saw Rara walking over to him. Mike smiled and hugged Rara in his arms. After they let go of each other, Justin Alexander walked over to him. The two high-5'd each other and gave each other a 'well done'.

"Well, I'll see you all in Austin," said Mike.

"Wait, you're leaving already?" Asked Justin.

"Well, I've got some... stuff to work on." Mike then gestured towards Rara, causing her to blush.

"Well, alright. We'll see you at COTA."

--FOX Broadcast--

Mike Joy: "Well this has been a very eventful Daytona 500, but we are only getting started. Congratulations to William Byron and Hendrick Motorsports, and from all of us here at FOX Sports, thanks for watching our coverage. We'll see you all next week at Atlanta."

Outside the track, the haulers were all pulling away and the spectators were heading home. Mike was talking to the Mane 6, Spike, Starlight, and Coco.

"So, these are your childhood friends," Mike asked Twilight who had brought Minuette, Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts, and Moondancer with her to meet him.

"Yes," said Twilight. "This is Moondancer, Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lemon Hearts."

"Well, it's very nice to meet you all," said Mike politely.

"It's nice to meet you, too," said Minuette. "Wait, let's get a picture together."

Minuette grabbed a camera from her pocket and put it on a tri-pod. The girls all watched in surprise as Minuette set up the camera and went in front of Mike. "Come on, girls. It's for all of us," she said while pointing towards Moondancer, Twinkleshine, and Lemon Hearts.

"Same old Minuette," sighed Twinkleshine.

Gathering up the girls, Minuette stood in front of Mike and knelt down in front of him. They all smiled at the camera as the picture was taken.

"So, ready to head back home?" Minuette asked Twilight.

"Sure, let's go," Twilight replied.

"Hey, Mike. I'm ready to go."

The girls looked and saw Rara walking towards them. When she reached them, everything was quiet.

Until...

"AAAAAAHHHHH!!!! COUNTESS COLORATURA!!!!"

The 4 Canterlot Unicorns let out loud fan-girl screams and ran towards the pop-star. Rara, of course, was shocked at the attention, but nonetheless smiled and agreed to sign autographs for them.

After she did, Minuette, Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts, and Moondancer all said goodbye and headed off to the airport to go through they're portal to Canterlot.

"Well, I suppose we should head home too," said Twilight.

"Agreed," said Rainbow Dash.

Together, they all activated they're teleporter bracelets and 2 portals opened. The Mane 6, Spike, and Starlight went through the portal to Ponyville, while Coco, Mike, and Rara went though the one to Manehattan.

After arriving in Coco's apartment, the portal closed. "Well, I'm gonna make dinner," said Coco.

"You go ahead and make dinner for yourself, Coco," said Mike. "Rara and I have other plans."

"Oh?"

"Wait, no we-"

Mike put a mouth on Rara's muzzle to shut her up. Rara obeyed and Mike walked out of the house.

"Well, that was weird," said Coco. "Why not go upstairs and wait for him. I'm pretty sure whatever he has in mind is for you."

"Okay, Coco," Rara said as she began walking upstairs.

After waiting for around 15 minutes, Rara suddenly heard the front door opening. She then heard Mike saying some unintelligible stuff to Coco before walking up the stairs. When he came through the door, he walked in. Rara looked at him in shock. He was carrying a huge bouquet of flowers.

"Rara, would you be the honor of joining me out for dinner tonight?"

Rara gasped and stared at Mike. She couldn't believe it. Mike had just asked her out on a date. After a few more seconds of silence, she stood up, hugged Mike, and took the flowers. "Yes," she said in joyful tears. "Yes, Mike. I'll be honored to be your date."

To Be Continued.

Author's Note

This is a fictionalized version of the 2024 Daytona 500. If you want to see what happened in the ACTUAL Daytona 500, you can do so by watching this video here.