2021 Florida 500

The **2021 Florida 500** was the first race of the 2021 Piston Cup Season.

## Overview

### Practice - February 12

During practice, Flip Dover had technical problems because there was a problem in the pits.

### Qualifying - February 13

The Piston Cup officials reported that someone sabotaged the Intersection pits so that when Flip Dover hit the track the pitties could not know the data of the car, the speed, the engine.

#### Qualifying results

1. Chase Racelott
2. Cruz Ramirez
3. Danny Swervez
4. Eric Jones
5. H.J Hollis
6. Bubba Wheelhouse Jr
7. Spikey Fillups
8. Ryan Laney
9. Joel Carterson
10. Monty Piceski
11. Steve Lapage
12. Conrad Camber
13. Jet Simmons
14. Sheldon Shifter
15. Will Rusch
16. Jackson Storm
17. Nick Shift
18. Eric Braker
19. Dan Carcia
20. J.P Drive
21. Harvey Rodcap
22. Michael Rotor
23. Kevin Jacobson
24. Henry Lugnut
25. Paul Conrev
26. Finn Lowtire
27. Jim Reverick
28. JD McPillar
29. Ed Truncan
30. Flip Dover
31. M Fast Fong
32. Jonas Carvers
33. Klint Shiftright Jr
34. Cam Spinner
35. Barry DePedal
36. Chris Roamin
37. Zach Wheeler
38. Joey Pitcrews
39. Rich Mixon
40. Mindy Gearson
41. Richie Gunzit
42. George New-Win
43. Ace Cohen

### Race - February 14

On lap 1 Rich Mixon spun and collected Mindy Gearson causing the two to DNF and Cruz takes the lead. The race remained close and Chase takes the lead back on lap 27 and on lap 33 of the race Danny Swervez tried to overtake Cruz for 2nd but made contact with her on turn 4 and sent them both spinning into the field and causing the big one and ended up taking 13 other cars out of the race including Ryan Laney and rookies Finn Lowtire and Ace Cohen. Chase had a slow pitstop during the caution and fell back to 7th and caused Bubba Wheelhouse Jr to be the leader. Bubba kept the lead for 7 laps but tried too hard and his engine blew! This suddenly made J.P Drive the leader. On lap 97 of the race Conrad Camber and Cam Spinner made contact and started another crash this one took out 6 cars including rookie Joel Carterson. On lap 108 Klint Shiftright Jr's engine blew as well.

Lap 130 of the race saw a massive crash when Spikey Fillups made contact with rookie Kevin Jacobson trying to avoid the big one and was sent towards the inside wall went airborne and slammed into the ground causing him flip 4 times and end on his roof in a similar crash to Ricky Sludd back in 1984. Spikey was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital and it was revealed his injuries was serious enough he would miss around 2 races and until then will be replaced by his backup racer. Not many cars remained and there was another crash on lap 169 involving Harvey Rodcap and Jim Reverick which left only 12 cars in the race. Still the competition stayed as close as ever and J.P Drive remained the leader. Suddenly on Lap 175 Paul Conrev took the lead. Rookie Henry Lugnut somehow found himself in 3rd place in all this mess and once he realized immediately went faster to catch up with J.P and Paul. Cruz and a few other racers even returned to the pits (the other racers out of the race were in the garage).

On lap 183 Chase Racelott overtook Barry DePedal for 4th place. J.P Drive got back the lead from Paul Conrev while Henry Lugnut,Chase Racelott and Barry DePedal were all battling for the lead. On lap 185 Chase tried to overtake Paul but made contact with J.P and both went to the grass but saved it but Chase fell back to 5th and J.P to 3rd. Henry Lugnut then immediately overtook Paul and became the LEADER!!!!! Everyone now was excited that a shock rookie win could happen. On lap 189 Chase once again went ahead of Barry and J.P and went back to 3rd and was with Paul and Henry battling for the lead. Cruz,Danny,Ryan and Bubba had all arrived at the pits to cheer Chase. On lap 194 Chase overtook Henry and became 2nd. Just Paul Conrev was left for Chase but Paul would not give the lead easily this was his best chance to win the Florida 500. Chase tried twice to overtake but Paul blocked both times.

On lap 496 Chase said on team radio that he was exhausted and would be unable to win the Florida 500 but Cruz shouted on the radio "YOU CAN DO IT I KNOW YOU WILL WIN THE FLORIDA 500". Chase tried one last time and on lap 497 got the lead at last and used almost all of his fuel and power to stay in the lead. On the final lap Chase was fully exhausted and nearly out of fuel at this point and was starting to even fall back a little but he stayed in the lead and finally won his first Florida 500. Chase was too exhausted to do donuts and interviews so he only did one with Shannon.

## Transcript

### Start and Crash

Jeff: AND THE 2021 FLORIDA 500 HAS STARTED! Chase Racelott is leading Cruz right behind him! CRUZ TAKES THE LEAD! OH BEHIND THEM A CRASH!

Natalie: That is Mindy Gearson and Rich Mixon!

Jeff: Both of them are out of the race for sure!

(replay)

Jeff: A great start for Cruz Ramirez and then suddenly in the back Rich Mixon spun and Mindy could not avoid him in time and crashed.

Natalie: A disappointing start for the rookie.

Mindy: This was not the start I expected.

Rich: This is the Florida 500 you know so crashes like this happen all the time especially in the first laps

(end of tranascript)

### THE BIG ONE!!!

Jeff: Danny Swervez trying to overtake Cruz for 2nd! Oh they touch! Cruz and Danny are spinning and into the pack AND THE BIG ONE HAPPENS!!!!

Natalie: THE BIG ONE ON TURN 4!

Jeff: This was the moment everyone was waiting for and it has finally happened and for the first time Cruz Ramirez and Danny Swervez will not finish the Florida 500! Several rookies among those involved! Ryan Laney also involved!

Natalie: What a crash.

Jeff: Cruz was ready to win her 4th Florida 500 but the big one strikes and she and Danny Swervez the only other next gen to win the Florida 500 are out of the race.

Natalie: So we are guaranteed a new winner for the Florida 500 but who could it be? Lets see.

(camera shows Cruz Ramirez, Danny Swervez, Eric Braker and Jonas Carvers being towed)

### Oh no Bubba!

Natalie: Bubba Wheelhouse leading the race on lap number 49. Dan Carcia in 2nd right now. Lap 50 now.

Bubba: Why do I feel not so good?

(Bubba's engine blows)

Jeff: Oh no Bubba! Bubba's engine blew!

Bubba: ARE YOU (censored) KIDDING ME! REALLY! REALLY!

Natalie: Bad luck for Bubba Wheelhouse Jr.

(end of transcript)

### Second Big One

Natalie: OH! CONRAD CAMBER AND CAM SPINNER MAKE CONTACT! ANOTHER BIG ONE! ERIC JONES INVOLVED!

Joel: Oh man! I was hoping to finish the race.

Eric: Me too man. I know we were not near the leaders but you never know we could have done well.

Jeff: THE RACE IS GETTING CRAZY!

Natalie: WHAT A RACE WE HAVE HAD!

Jeff: Lets see a replay.

(replay)

Jeff: So Conrad and Cam made contact and then Joel hit Cam and Eric tried to dodge but his tire gets clipped and he crashes too.

Natalie: M Fast Fong and J.D Mcpillar also got involved.

(back live)

Natalie: This race may be the craziest Florida 500 in years!

(End of Transcript)

### Spikey's Massive Crash

Natalie: OH TROUBLE ON TURN 4! SPIKEY FILLUPS GOES AIRBORNE! HE CRASHES HARD AND FLIPS OVER AND OVER! ENDS UP ON HIS ROOF!

Jeff: VERY SIMILAR TO RICKY SLUDDS ACCIDENT BACK IN THE 1984 CARCA RACE!

Natalie: Spikey Fillups ends up near the start of the pit road. His pit crew rush to see him.

LTP Crew Chief: SPIKEY!

LTP Pitty 1: ARE YOU OKAY!

Spikey(weak): I am too damaged to race. My pain and injuries wont be recovered in time for Las Vegas.

LTP Pitty 2: Oh no.

LTP Crew Chief: Probably Texas as well you had a bad crash Spikey I dont think you can return by Texas too.

Spikey(weak): I dont know when really.

LTP Pitty: Well the helicopter will pick you up now.

(the helicopter arrives and takes Spikey)

Natalie: Kevin Jacobson also lost control after contact with Spikey and hit the outside wall and is out of the race as well. Lets see the replay.

(replay)

Jeff: Kevin and Spikey simply make contact and Spikey goes airborne and crashes. He flips over and over ends up on his roof unlike with Ricky Sludd who ended up on his wheels. Besides that the crash is VERY similar to Ricky's except Spikey is actually on pit road not the nearby grass.

Natalie: Spikey has been taken to the hospital by helicopter it is confirmed by the pit crew that Spikey will miss Las Vegas possibly Texas as well.

Guido(speaking in Italian): Is the racer alright?

Luigi: No idea.

Lightning: We all saw that from pit road but I think Spikey will be ok maybe he will miss some races but he will be ok.

### Final Laps

Jeff: Lap 485 only 15 laps to go! OH! Chase and J.P into the grass! THEY SAVE IT!

Natalie: AND WHATS THIS? Henry Lugnut just became your leader! Rookie Henry Lugnut leads the Florida 500!

Henry: WHAT! OH MY GOD! I CAN REALLY WIN THIS!

(few laps later)

Jeff: Chase Racelott is not done he overtakes J.P Drive and Barry DePedal!

Natalie: Paul Conrev takes back the lead from Henry Lugnut!

Paul: YES!

Jeff: Chase Racelott's friends are all watching him in the pits as he catches up to Paul and Henry!

Ryan: COME ON CHASE!

Danny: YOU CAN DO IT MAN!

Bubba: YEAH CHASE!

Cruz: COME ON CHASE!

Natalie: Chase is trying hard to overtake Henry. He fails.

(on lap 494)

Natalie: A tight battle between Chase and Henry for the last few laps. CHASE RACELOTT OVERTAKES HENRY LUGNUT! NICE MOVE!

Jeff: CHASE RACELOTT SECOND!!

Natalie: Paul Conrev leading the race Chase in 2nd now. He catches up on turn 1 to Paul. He tries overtaking Paul!

Jeff: Nice block by Paul and Chase is still 2nd.

Natalie: Chase going again a lap later.

Jeff: Another block by Paul Conrev.

(Vitoline Team Radio)

Chase: Guys. Im sorry to say this but Paul Conrev is gonna win the Florida 500. I am exhausted I am not sure for how long I can keep going at this speed.

Cruz: Chase listen to me. I know you can win.

Chase: But Paul has blocked me twice now he knows im getting exhausted.

Cruz: YOU CAN DO IT I KNOW YOU WILL WIN THE FLORIDA 500!

(End of radio)

Chase: Ok. I will do it one last time.

Jeff: LOOK AT CHASE! 3 LAPS TO GO AND HE IS OVERTAKING PAUL CONREV! HE DOES IT!

Natalie: CHASE RACELOTT YOUR RACE LEADER!

Jeff: 2 LAPS TO GO AND CHASE RACELOTT STILL LEADS! PAUL CONREV AND HENRY LUGNUT BEHIND HIM!

Natalie: Chase starting to fall back a bit!

Jeff: Can he hold on to win?

Natalie: FINAL LAP! CHASE RACELOTT IS ABOUT TO BE THE THIRD NEXT GEN TO WIN THE FLORIDA 500!

Jeff: PAUL CONREV AND HENRY LUGNUT CATCHING UP!

Natalie: J.P DRIVE OVERTAKES BARRY DEPEDAL BUT ALL THE ATTENTION IS ON CHASE RACELOTT AS HE GOES ON TURN 3!

Jeff: WHAT A RACE THIS HAS BEEN WITH ONLY 12 CARS LEFT!

Natalie: HERE THEY COME TO THE FINISH!

Jeff: AND CHASE RACELOTT WINS THE 2021 FLORIDA 500!!!!!!!!!

(Vitoline Team Radio)

Vitoline Crew Chief: YOU DID IT CHASE!

Chase: GUYS I DID IT! I JUST WON THE FLORIDA 500! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(End of Radio)

(Buc-ee's Team Radio)

Henry: I FINISHED THIRD I FINISHED THIRD I CANT BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! I FINISHED PODIUM ON MY FIRST FLORIDA 500 LETS GO!

Hanz Gretzel: WHAT A RACE HENRY! I CANT BELIEVE WE PLACED THIRD!!!!!!

Henry: I KNOW!

(End of Radio)

Jeff: This has been the greatest Florida 500 since the era of next gens! Truly an epic race!

Natalie: Absolutely Jeff!

Jeff: There is Chase Racelott is in victory lane right now. Chase has decided not to do many interviews right now since he is very low on fuel and is too exhausted.

## Results

1. Chase Racelott - 500 laps -43 points +3
2. Paul Conrev - 500 laps - 42 Points
3. Henry Lugnut - 500 laps - 41 Points
4. J.P Drive - 500 laps - 40 Points
5. Barry DePedal - 500 laps - 39 Points
6. Dan Carcia - 499 laps - 38 Points
7. Nick Shift - 499 laps - 37 Points
8. Will Rusch - 498 laps - 36 Points
9. Monty Piceski - 498 laps - 35 Points
10. Jackson Storm - 498 Laps - 34 Points
11. Steve Lapage - 498 laps - 33 points
12. Jet Simmons - 498 laps - 32 Points
13. Chris Roamin - 497 laps - 31 Points
14. Jim Reverick - 168 laps(crash) - 30 Points
15. Harvey Rodcap - 168 laps(crash) - 29 Points
16. Spikey Fillups - 129 laps(crash) - 28 Points
17. Kevin Jacobson - 129 laps(crash) - 27 Points
18. Klint Shiftright Jr - 107 laps(engine) - 26 Points
19. Conrad Camber - 96 laps(crash) - 25 Points
20. Cam Spinner - 96 laps(crash) - 24 Points
21. Joel Carterson - 96 laps(crash) - 23 Points
22. J.D Mcpillar - 96 laps(crash) - 22 Points
23. Eric Jones - 96 laps(crash) - 21 Points
24. M Fast Fong - 96 laps(crash) - 20 Points
25. Bubba Wheelhouse Jr - 49 laps(engine) - 19 Points
26. Cruz Ramirez - 32 laps(crash) - 18 Points
27. Ed Truncan - 32 laps(crash) - 17 Points
28. Sheldon Shifter - 32 laps(crash) - 16 Points
29. Danny Swervez - 32 laps(crash) - 15 Points
30. Ace Cohen - 32 laps(crash) - 14 Points
31. Eric Braker - 32 laps(crash) - 13 Points
32. Ryan Laney - 32 laps(crash) - 12 Points
33. Zach Wheeler - 32 laps(crash) - 11 Points
34. Finn Lowtire - 32 laps(crash) - 10 Points
35. Michael Rotor - 32 laps(crash) - 9 Points
36. H.J Hollis - 32 laps(crash) - 8 Points
37. Joey Pitcrews - 32 laps(crash) - 7 Points
38. Flip Dover - 32 laps(crash) - 6 Points
39. Richie Gunzit - 32 laps(crash) - 5 Points
40. Jonas Carvers - 32 laps(Crash) - 4 Points
41. George New-Win - 32 laps(crash) - 3 Points
42. Rich Mixon - 0 laps(crash) - 2 Points
43. Mindy Gearson - 0 laps(crash) - 1 Points

## Trivia

* Henry Lugnut became the first rookie to finish on the podium in his first race since Brick Yardley in 2007 who finished 3rd