It was a beautiful day in Speedway, Indiana – a day that had arrived at long last. Two long weeks of preparation all came down to these next two-and-a-half hours. It was finally time for the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500.

The engines fired just before 12:10 pm, and the field were off on the pace laps. Finally, at 12:16 pm, the six rows of three, led by polesitter France, streaked down the frontstretch. The green flag waived, and the 99th Indianapolis 500 was on!

France led everyone through the first turn, and was entering the second turn when the yellow light came on. William Kitsmer had gotten high at the exit of turn one and slapped the wall, ending his day. At the same time, Draco Elijah Potens made contact with the right rear wheel guard of Emily Vulpintaur. He spun, but managed to get it back under control, although he had flatspotted the tires. William Kitsmer climbed out of his car dejected, knowing he had had a car that might have had a chance to win.

The yellow was extended on lap 7 as Vulpintaur’s damaged wheel guard flew off the car. She had to come in to get a new rear wing assembly fitted to the car. Potens also pitted under the caution for fresh tires.

The race resumed on lap 12, with France leading over Zeke Bawlbowolf, Iron, Jackie Caldoon, and Cole Rosemyer. Caldoon got around Iron for 3rd while Antoni Fox took 5th from Rosemyer. Antoni Fox continued his surge to the front by getting around Iron for 4th, Jackie Caldoon for third, and then Zeke Bawlbowolf for second on each of the next three laps. Field T. Mouse was also on the move, up to 10th by lap 16 after starting 15th. Antoni Fox finally caught France, and passed her for the lead on lap 19. The top 10 after 20 laps had Antoni Fox, France, Zeke Bawlbowolf, Jackie Caldoon, Iron, Shockey Rai, Cole Rosemyer, Field T. Mouse, Dart Wuffy (both of the latter moving forward rather nicely at this point), and Sam Graves.

The next lap saw a lot of passes as France retook the lead, while a four-way battle for 7th was ensuing between Dart Wuffy, Cole Rosemyer, Sam Graves, and Field T. Mouse. Antoni Fox wasn’t done up front, however, as he retook the lead on lap 22. He began to stretch his lead just a bit until France caught him and overtook him on lap 26. She then began to stretch out her lead a little, and it didn’t appear as though Antoni was making any serious effort to regain the top spot, as he was trying to save a little fuel. He was, however, feeling some pressure from Zeke Bawlbowolf, who wanted to take second. Meanwhile, Emily Vulpintaur was beginning to make some progress, as she had now made her way up to 13th by lap 30, four spots ahead of where she had restarted. A little further back, the battle for 7th continued to rage, as Sam Graves took the spot from Shockey Rai on lap 32, as Cole Rosemyer lost 9th to Field T. Mouse.

The first round of pitstops came on lap 35, with France giving up the lead to make her stop. She was joined by Dart Wuffy. Zeke Bawlbowolf managed to take the lead from Antoni Fox as Fox made his way down pit lane, joined by Iron, Shockey Rai, Calyx Salazaar, and Kyle. By lap 39, everyone had pitted, save for Emily Vulpintaur and Coco Bennington, each of whom were FURCAR regulars making their FURRY IndyCar Series debut. After 40 laps, 100 miles, the full rundown had Emily Vulpintaur, Coco Bennington (both of whom had yet to make their stop), France, Zeke Bawlbowolf, and Antoni Fox in the top 5, with Jackie Caldoon, Iron, Dart Wuffy, Sam Graves, and Shockey Rai rounding out the top 10. The balance of the order was Field T. Mouse, Cole Rosemyer, Victoria Cottontail, Calyx Salazaar, Draco Elijah Potens, Kyle, and Harry.

Vulpintaur and Bennington finally pitted on lap 41, making France, Zeke Bawlbowolf, Antoni Fox, Jackie Caldoon, and Iron the new top 5. On lap 45, Dart Wuffy took 5th from Iron, and a lap later, Emily Vulpintaur finally made her way back into the top 10 by getting around Victoria Cottontail. On lap 50, Sam Graves was up to 5th after having passed Iron and Dart on consecutive laps. Antoni’s battle with Zeke Bawlbowolf still raged on, as he took 2nd on lap 53, only to be repassed a lap later. He then took 2nd again from Bawlbowolf on lap 55. Pitstops began againon lap 60, with Iron peeling off for a stop. He was the only one to have stopped by lap 63, when the yellow came out again. Harry had hit the wall coming out of turn 4, ending his day. Everyone else pitted during the yellow, and the top 5 for the restart was Zeke Bawlbowolf, France, Antoni Fox, Jackie Caldoon, and Sam Graves.

The green flag came back out on lap 70, and France wasted no time taking the lead back from Bawlbowolf, although Zeke would return the favor a lap later. On the very next lap, however, as France was retaking the lead, Antoni Fox went under BOTH of them to take the top spot, and Bawlbowolf was shuffled from 1st to 3rd in one corner! He even lost that to Jackie Caldoon a lap later to fall to 4th. France managed to recover and regain the lead by the 75th lap, only to lose it once again to Antoni Fox a lap later. Bawlbowolf also recovered, retaking 3rd from Caldoon on lap 78. The full rundown at 80 laps, 200 miles, had Antoni Fox, France, Zeke Bawlbowolf, Jackie Caldoon, and Sam Graves in the top 5. Emily Vulpintaur had made her way all the way up to 6th, and fellow FURCAR regular Victoria Cottontail followed in 7th. Shockey Rai, Field T. Mouse, and Dart Wuffy rounded out the top 10, with Calyx Salazaar, Coco Bennington, Cole Rosemyer, Draco Elijah Potens, Kyle, and Iron making up the balance of the order.

The friendly rivalry between former mates continued on lap 81 as Zeke Bawlbowolf managed to take 2nd from France. Four laps later, however, France fell another position as Jackie Caldoon took 3rd. The defending Indy 500 champ was determined for a repeat. Antoni Fox, however, had other plans. He continued to lead, and was still leading as pitstops began once again. By the time pitstops were completed on lap 101, however, it was Zeke Bawlbowolf in front of Antoni Fox. Sam Graves, Jackie Caldoon, and France made up the rest of the top 5, with Emily Vulpintaur, Victoria Cottontail, Dart Wuffy, Cole Rosemyer, and Shockey Rai rounding out the top 10.

On lap 108, France managed to take 4th from Jackie Caldoon. The yellow came out once again on lap 113. This time, Calyx Salazaar and Field T. Mouse came together in turn one, and both of them ended up in the wall. After pitstops, the full rundown after 120 laps, 300 miles, had Zeke Bawlbowolf, Jackie Caldoon, France, Sam Graves, and Antoni Fox in the top 5, with Emily Vulpintaur, Victoria Cottontail, Cole Rosemyer, Shockey Rai, and Draco Elijah Potens rounding out the top 10, the balance of the order being Coco Bennington, Kyle, Dart Wuffy, and Iron.

The race resumed on lap 123, and immediately, the battle for the lead was on. Zeke Bawlbowolf, Jackie Caldoon, and France swapped the lead for the next several laps before France finally settled in at the top spot on lap 129, with Bawlbowolf, Sam Graves, Antoni Fox, and Jackie Caldoon rounding out the top 5. Dart Wuffy, who had been in the top 5 earlier, was now struggling after a bad pitstop had mired him deep in the field.

On lap 130, more action ensued in the top 5 as Caldoon took 4th from Antoni Fox, and Sam Graves moved ahead of Bawlbowolf for 2nd. Bawlbowolf would then return the favor three laps later. Up front, France continued to lead, and was unchallenged for the next 15 laps, with pitstops beginning on lap 148. She gave up the lead on lap 149 to make her stop. Emily Vulpintaur was the last driver to pit under that cycle, and would be giving up the lead as a result if not for a very timely yellow on lap 153. One of the top contenders all day long had been Antoni Fox, but it all came to an end in turn 3. He had gotten loose and backed it into the wall. After a very promising run, his day was over.

Because scoring showed Vulpintaur in the lead at the time of the yellow, she would have the lead for the restart. Behind her were Zeke Bawlbowolf, France, Sam Graves, and Jackie Caldoon.

The race resumed on lap 159. The full rundown after 160 laps, 400 miles, had Emily Vulpintaur, Zeke Bawlbowolf, France, Sam Graves, and Jackie Caldoon in the top 5, with Victoria Cottontail, Dart Wuffy, Cole Rosemyer, Draco Elijah Potens, and Shockey Rai rounding out the top 10, the balance of the order being Coco Bennington, Kyle, and Iron.

France disposed of Bawlbowolf to take 2nd on lap 161. Bawlbowolf then fell to 4th behind Sam Graves a lap later. After struggling to get by Vulpintaur for two laps, France finally managed to do so on lap 163, and Sam Graves got by as well to take 2nd. Bawlbowolf seemed to be struggling now, as he fell to 5th behind Jackie Caldoon, who then took 3rd from Vulpintaur. Lap 165 saw the lead change hands once again as Sam Graves got around France, while Vulpintaur fell another spot to 5th behind Bawlbowolf. Two laps later, both France and Jackie Caldoon got around Graves to take first and second, while Vulpintaur fell yet another spot to 6th behind Victoria Cottontail. Vulpintaur managed to regain 5th just as the yellow came out for debris.

Everyone pitted under the yellow, except for Iron, who was gambling on late race yellows to allow him to make his fuel last and take home a higher spot. Behind him for the restart were Jackie Caldoon, Sam Graves, France, and Zeke Bawlbowolf.

The green came out again on lap 173, and Iron was swallowed up almost immediately. Caldoon and Graves both got around him, as France fell two spots behind Bawlbowolf and Vulpintaur. Reports indicated that France had developed a bad push all of a sudden.

It didn’t take long before the next yellow came out. Zeke Bawlbowolf had a front wing break, and everyone scattered to get around him on the backstretch. The field entered turn 3 all bunched up, and as they went into turn 4, Kyle and Coco Bennington came together and were involved in a spectacular-looking crash. Debris scattered all over the exit of turn 4, and just like that, two more competitors were eliminated. Zeke Bawlbowolf pitted under yellow to have the broken front wing replaced. The top 10 for the restart was Jackie Caldoon, Sam Graves, Iron, Emily Vulpintaur, Shockey Rai, Victoria Cottontail, France, Dart Wuffy, Cole Rosemyer, and Draco Elijah Potens.

The green came back out on lap 185, and passes shuffled the top 5. Vulpintaur took 3rd from Iron as Cottontail took 5th from Shockey Rai, who would return the favor on lap 187. Caldoon continued to hold off Graves, although Graves was pouring on the pressure. 10 laps to go, and Graves finally got around Caldoon for the lead. Two laps later, Caldoon was back in front. Graves stayed right in line behind the defending champ, and pounced on lap 193, taking the lead once again. Graves couldn’t hold onto it, however, and Caldoon responded with a dive-bomb of a pass in turn 3. A look at the crowd said it all. No one was sitting.

The fight continued at the front continued. Sam Graves looked to the inside of turn one, but couldn’t make it stick. He tucked in behind Caldoon as they headed through the south end. Caldoon took the defensive line down the backstretch, forcing Graves to try the outside. Somehow, he made it work and retook the top spot. He led by less than a car-length as they crossed the yard of bricks with 4 laps to go. Meanwhile, Emily Vulpintaur stayed fairly close behind the front two, looking for any sort of opening. Caldoon followed Graves down the backstretch, taking the defensive line, but Caldoon was on a mission as she dove underneath Graves to take the lead in turn 3! She led graves by just a few feet as she crossed the stripe.

3 to go, and Graves was going to try the inside! Side-by-side they went into turn one, but again, Caldoon edged ahead, with Graves tucking in right behind.

Out of turn 2 they went, and this time, Graves would not be denied, as he swung to the outside in turn 3, retaking the lead. He crossed the line just half a car-length ahead.

Two to go.

Caldoon was all over Graves as they headed down the backstretch, and AGAIN she dove to the inside at the last possible moment to take the lead! How she got away with that not once, but TWICE without wrecking was beyond anyone’s imagination.

This was it. The white flag signaled the final lap. Graves began to close once more as they headed into the first turn. Through the south end, he remained in lock-step behind her. As they came onto the backstretch, Caldoon’s mirrors were full of the #72 Honda, while Graves’ were full of someone else. The #6 of Emily Vulpintaur was now in the picture. Graves went wide for his signature outside pass, and suddenly, VULPINTAUR DOVE TO THE BOTTOM!!! THEY WERE THREE WIDE IN TURN 3!!!!

Caldoon lifted, but Vulpintaur and Graves were still side-by-side for the lead! VULPINTAUR EDGED AHEAD OUT OF FOUR!!!

Graves tucked in behind as they came down the frontstretch. He made his move, but it wasn’t in time! Emily Vulpintaur crossed the yard of bricks just 0.0190 seconds ahead of Sam Graves – the closest finish in Indy 500 history!!!

Vulpintaur soon piloted the car into victory lane, and was met by her crew, friends, and family, and was soon presented with the traditional victors’ wreath, bottle of milk, and the famous Borg Warner Trophy. Her celebration was a very hard-earned one, and the way she achieved victory that day will be remembered for generations…

RACE RESULTS:
1. (9) 6-Emily Vulpintaur (R) – 315
2. (10) 72-Sam Graves – 304
3. (5) 22-Jackie Caldoon – 303
4. (7) 8-Victoria Cottontail (R) – 291
5. (14) 88-Dart Wuffy – 282
6. (6) 62-Shockey Rai – 281
7. (1) 13-France – 273
8. (3) 66-Cole Rosemyer – 270
9. (2) 1-Zeke Bawlbowolf – 264
10. (13) 57-Draco Elijah Potens – 260
11. (4) 99-Iron – 247
12. (17) 10-Kyle – 246
13. (11) 15-Coco Bennington (R) – 243
14. (8) 93-Antoni Fox – 222
15. (18) 73-Calyx Salazaar – 199
16. (15) 2-Field T. Mouse – 180
17. (12) 42-Harry – 162
18. (16) 27-William Kitsmer – 141

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
1. (88) Dart Wuffy – 224
2. (1) Zeke Bawlbowolf – 215
3. (62) Shockey Rai – 206
4. (66) Cole Rosemyer – 205
5. (73) Calyx Salazaar – 202
6. (13) France – 183
7. (2) Field T. Mouse – 167
8. (57) Draco Elijah Potens – 164
9. (93) Antoni Fox – 148
10. (27) William Kitsmer – 102
11. (6) Emily Vulpintaur (R) – 100
12. (19) Ripner Cabbit – 95
13. (72) Sam Graves – 80
14. (22) Jackie Caldoon – 70
15. (8) Victoria Cottontail (R) – 64
16. (10) Kyle – 58
17. (99) Iron – 38
18. (15) Coco Bennington (R) – 34
19. (42) Harry – 26

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