Twisted Metal Tour - Grid Iron Division 2015 - 31-33 Bowl Two

Sorry for being a little behind on this one.  New dog and heavy work stuff has cut into my time.  But we should be back on course now.

Race 1:

 The first round of the night had me on pole and almost everyone else at the back.

Zack had the good fortune to start almost dead center of the back and enjoyed all of the cars manifesting themselves around him.

I ran a majority of the race out in front without much trouble when I came upon Darrel.  He got scuppered up on the super slick yellow line and lost it in front of me.

I all but missed him and that tiny tap richocheted me off the inside wall and then up the track as I lost grip.  I then landed on my top and went straight to last.  I spent most of my race there, causing general mayhem among all the racers.

Darrel's night only fared slightly better as he kept getting into altercations with the competition.  Here's one example where LSU just checked him up the track.  Tire woes ended up being the worst issues he dealt with.

Zack was cautiously working his way up the order and made it into the top ten when he cracked into me.  He kept going and I kept spinning.

Sandy's night was similar to Darrel's as seen here.  I will point out that he went to pit road and received a black flag for being too close to the wall.  Shameful.

Scot was doing well and working his way up to the low 20s when he came up to a large bunch of unruly cars.

Oh look, and there I am again.

Scot would finish out the evening with a few scrapes but nothing major.  I continued to levitate.

Here, Scot was thanking me for trying to help him onto pit road.  I'll be sure to return the favor at Humpty Dumpty.

Zack's run to the front continued and he may have done it if not for some slow traffic that he couldn't help but run into.  He'd have to settle for a lowly 2nd place.

Race 2:

Race 2 started similar to the first as far as qualifying except Zack opted for a provisional.

And probably a good idea considering there was a massive wreck very quickly, consuming nearly the whole field.

Who's that upside down?  Why it's Chad who I forgot to mention anything about in Race 1.  Yep, he's here and doing OK.  But we'll get back to him in a second.

But first, I'll go down the order and look at how we all did.  Since I was in front of that first lap mess, I didn't have many problems.

I even had a chance to take out my favorite college team.

Scot showed up to cheer on my win by the end.  We'll also look at his race shortly.

Next is Sandy who didn't have quite the same level of success.  The first lap wreck was avoided deftly enough.

But then Chad sent his goon after The Bear

He actually forced the 11 up into the wall and the Longhorns took more than they gave while Sandy saved himself fairly well.

Then cheers of recovery turned to cries of sadness as the Gators sheered off the front of the 63.

Rob's avatar then came in and took off most of the back.  There were a few other contacts while he spun around but this was pretty much the nail in the coffin.

How'd Scot do?  Pretty well actually.  He also avoided most of the mess at the start and shot up the ranks.

He continued to run clean and avoid disaster at every...turn?  So the whole track?  Because it's a giant turn you see.

He actually just ducked out of the way of Sandy's second massacre.

Most of his race was actually very close with Zack.  While Webs had the advantage for more laps, Scott made his way past late in the race as they came on to some AI with issues.  As tame as this screen shot looks, there was actually a big complication that occurred after.  We'll see soon.

Scott managed to avoid doom (with hardly a scratch) and take 5th.

Blah, what is that you ask?

It's Zack's roof cam getting eaten.  His approach to the wreckfest was much more heavy handed than others.  He kind of just blitzed himself in there but didn't get hurt hardly at all.

Like Scot, Zack spent a lot of the race hugging the bottom and avoiding wrecks with great success.  This is the scene we saw moments ago that happened late in the race where the three humans converged on some AI.

You don't really see it but all three were weaving violently and as Zack tried to move off of Scot's quarter, he got just slightly into Chad.  We'll see the results of that soon.  In Zack's defense, he was doing his best to hold his line and not take anyone out.  He is working on his cockpit view remember.

By the end Scot had gotten a little distance on him just before the finish.  He did get to see me funk up USC however.

The start for Chad was also pretty messed up.  Looks like a London morning.

Not as violent as Zack's start, but he did get in there rough and managed to roll like we saw early on.

Chad got going again but it wasn't long before he was under attack.

Most of his race was spent in the middle to upper lanes to stay out of the mess and improve positions through attrition.  In this case, he was avoiding other idiots.

So back to that three wide crack up we kept seeing.  You can see here how everyone had to take quick action to avoid a bad mess.

Zack was low and coming up the track while Chad and Scot were going the opposite direction.

They all got close together and there was the smallest collision between the 22 and 23.

Chad's car slammed the fence and launched.

Then rolled for a while.

And finally landed on its wheels, barely avoiding a smash from, wait USC?  I thought I took those guys out.  Tough nuggets thems are.  But Chad actually gathered it back up and finished fairly well.

Finally, Darrel's race.  Yep, there's that intro.

But he made it through.  He spent his race deep in traffic slowly climbing the ladder and avoiding contact.

Race 3:

So in a twist, the lineup was a little more mixed for the final round.  I was back in 7th with Zack and Scot up around the top 10.

Having won the last race and feeling bad that there was a flakey start (due to a crashing server, I swear to the NASCAR gods!) I decided to lay back a bit and start picking guys off.

Although my first attempt almost ended in disaster.

My next attempts were better.  The Buccaneers never saw it coming.

And the Irish wouldn't be seeing the end of the race.

I even got a multi shot when they landed on the Steelers...

...and clipped both Alabama and the Longhorns.

But all good things must come to an end and with only a few to go, tragedy struck.  I attempted to disrupt the Saints when I got a little more hooked on them than I'd have liked.

And there was another car in the lane above which just served to send us to the fence.

In dramatic style.  Yeah, that was the end of me.

The Bear started things off a little better than in round 2, mostly just laying back and avoiding the bulk of the wrecking.

But his Raiders were there to make sure things wouldn't go smoothly.

However, he turned this would-be DNF into a save by gently sending his hood up under the Rams and staying off of the fence.

With minimal damage sustained, Sandy had a shot at a good finish and swung to pit road, avoiding perilous perils for a fresh set of tires.  He'd finish quite well on this one.

Like you saw in an earlier frame, you saw Scot and Zack running up towards the front to start.

You can't see it too well here but they narrowly avoided this overly destructive smoke screen caused by Mr. Hamilton.

Mad Max kept things low and in the groove for most of the race.

But he would have to pull into the high line to keep out of trouble.

Unlike round 2, things wouldn't be all Driving Ms Daisy.  Zack suddenly got oversteer and brushed the apron behind Chad.

He caught himself before shooting to the fence, but on his way down, Scot and Zack made aggressive contact.

Zack got the short end of the stick while Scot started fogging for skeets.

From my view, Scot was coming down (not sure if it was on purpose or not) right into traffic.

He got bounced and went straight into the fence.

Looking at Zack's charge, he was back with Scot for a good long run, even from the start.  You can see the storm brewing up ahead as they let most of the field by.

Because it wouldn't be long before they passed them right back.

Suddenly, an incoming USC.

Will he make it?

Oh God!

I'm not sure exactly what happens next.  USC just scrapped his roof and caused the engine to start smoking.

Less than a lap later...the engine is healed!  Repent!

And if that weren't close enough, he starts tangling with the Chiefs.  Actually they got knocked down into him.

They kept on racing.

What you haven't seen in these shots is how Scot and Zack were playing cat and mouse for most of the race, shadow boxing if you will.  Both actually led laps.

Until the punches got real.  Zack got loose onto the apron and back up where he came down in front of Scot.

His car was then raped.

Repeatedly.  Hey those were my Chiefs!  Damn stupid idiot Chiefs...

Continuing down the list by number, we get to Chad.  His race was mostly a cruise.  Aside from this close call with OSU, he was just mostly watching wrecks around him without having to participate.  Or participate in not being in them.  So unlike Chad.  He would go on to take 5th I think.

And finally Darrel.  Living life dangerously, he starts exactly mid pack.

Things were smooth up until Michigan slowed up in the lower lane and he got into them.

Miraculously, the position of the cars and the way hey bounced off of them kept him going straight while the supernova of scrap blossomed behind him.

From there on, he just kept it straight...

...and avoided corpses.

To eventually take a win.  Well done.

The next race is our final Wildcard (a team one!) at Humpty Dumpty.

Race 1

Session: Qualifying

P	#	DRIVER	TIME
1	86	T Nadz	18.758
2	73	T Buccaneers	18.900
3	61	A Crimson Tide	18.932
4	60	I Colts	18.983
5	37	P Eagles	18.989
6	13	S Hagerty	19.001
7	85	U Trojans	19.002
8	75	O Raiders	19.009
9	80	D Lions	19.029
10	81	F Seminoles	19.031
11	20	B Ravens	19.044
12	31	O Buckeyes	19.051
13	42	M Wolverines	19.052
14	38	A Cardinals	19.053
15	52	T Titans	19.057
16	10	B Bills	19.061
17	95	B Man	19.065
18	58	P Steelers	19.078
19	33	S Seahawks	19.081
20	32	K Chiefs	19.082
21	29	G Packers	19.088
22	83	C Bears	19.089
23	98	N Jets	19.090
24	11	T Longhorns	19.091
25	23	Z Webster	19.097
26	47	F Gators	19.098
27	88	N Saints	19.107
28	45	H Texans	19.114
29	44	N Fighting Irish	19.118
30	39	G Bulldogs	19.126
31	28	R Cook	19.139
32	27	O Ducks	19.145
33	62	J Jaguars	19.147
34	21	S Chargers	19.181
35	55	L Tigers	19.199
36	34	N Giants	19.203
37	12	N Patriots	19.208
38	99	D Cowboys	19.223
39	16	S 49ers	19.224
40	63	T Bear	19.498
41	56	M Max	19.576
42	22	C Ferguson	19.874
43	7	D Hamilton	--

Weather: Clear, 65 °F, Northeast 46 mph

Session: Happy Hour

P	#	DRIVER	TIME
1	7	D Hamilton	18.488
2	86	T Nadz	18.564
3	38	A Cardinals	18.601
4	27	O Ducks	18.641
5	13	S Hagerty	18.719
6	39	G Bulldogs	18.723
7	52	T Titans	18.733
8	16	S 49ers	18.790
9	12	N Patriots	18.827
10	88	N Saints	18.831
11	83	C Bears	18.835
12	62	J Jaguars	18.839
13	81	F Seminoles	18.849
14	34	N Giants	18.882
15	55	L Tigers	18.889
16	23	Z Webster	18.913
17	21	S Chargers	18.917
18	47	F Gators	18.920
19	33	S Seahawks	18.923
20	29	G Packers	18.925
21	95	B Man	18.931
22	32	K Chiefs	18.947
23	56	M Max	18.965
24	98	N Jets	18.987
25	37	P Eagles	18.988
26	61	A Crimson Tide	18.992
27	28	R Cook	19.012
28	80	D Lions	19.022
29	31	O Buckeyes	19.024
30	45	H Texans	19.027
31	73	T Buccaneers	19.040
32	20	B Ravens	19.050
33	63	T Bear	19.059
34	85	U Trojans	19.066
35	58	P Steelers	19.086
36	44	N Fighting Irish	19.090
37	42	M Wolverines	19.109
38	75	O Raiders	19.134
39	99	D Cowboys	19.190
40	10	B Bills	19.195
41	60	I Colts	19.320
42	11	T Longhorns	19.372
43	22	C Ferguson	19.461

Weather: Clear, 45 °F, Northwest 64 mph

Session: Race

OFFICIAL STANDINGS

F	S	#	DRIVER	INTERVAL	LAPS	LED	POINTS	STATUS
1	9	80	D Lions	220.100	45	5	180	Running
2	25	23	Z Webster	-4.27	45	0	170	Running
3	19	33	S Seahawks	-22.22	45	10	170	Running
4	30	39	G Bulldogs	-1L	44	0	160	Running
5	20	32	K Chiefs	-1L	44	0	155	Running
6	41	56	M Max	-1L	44	0	150	Running
7	11	20	B Ravens	-1L	44	0	146	Running
8	14	38	A Cardinals	-1L	44	0	142	Running
9	5	37	P Eagles	-1L	44	0	138	Running
10	24	11	T Longhorns	-1L	44	0	134	Running
11	16	10	B Bills	-1L	44	0	130	Running
12	38	99	D Cowboys	-1L	44	0	127	Running
13	37	12	N Patriots	-1L	44	0	124	Running
14	36	34	N Giants	-1L	44	0	121	Running
15	4	60	I Colts	-1L	44	0	118	Running
16	7	85	U Trojans	-1L	44	0	115	Running
17	8	75	O Raiders	-1L	44	0	112	Running
18	32	27	O Ducks	-1L	44	0	109	Running
19	2	73	T Buccaneers	-1L	44	0	106	Running
20	29	44	N Fighting Irish	-1L	44	0	103	Running
21	13	42	M Wolverines	-1L	44	0	100	Running
22	42	22	C Ferguson	-1L	44	0	97	Running
23	34	21	S Chargers	-2L	43	0	94	Running
24	27	88	N Saints	-2L	43	0	91	Running
25	31	28	R Cook	-2L	43	0	88	Running
26	12	31	O Buckeyes	-2L	43	10	90	Running
27	10	81	F Seminoles	-2L	43	0	82	Running
28	28	45	H Texans	-2L	43	0	79	Running
29	33	62	J Jaguars	-2L	43	0	76	Running
30	18	58	P Steelers	-2L	43	0	73	Running
31	15	52	T Titans	-3L	42	0	70	Running
32	21	29	G Packers	-3L	42	0	67	Running
33	23	98	N Jets	-3L	42	0	64	Running
34	39	16	S 49ers	-3L	42	0	61	Running
35	17	95	B Man	-4L	41	0	58	Running
36	35	55	L Tigers	-4L	41	0	55	Running
37	3	61	A Crimson Tide	-4L	41	0	52	Running
38	40	63	T Bear	-5L	40	0	49	Running
39	6	13	S Hagerty	-5L	40	0	46	Running
40	26	47	F Gators	-6L	39	0	43	Running
41	22	83	C Bears	-8L	37	0	40	Running
42	1	86	T Nadz	-12L	33	20*	47	Running
43	43	7	D Hamilton	-16L	29	0	34	Running

Caution Flags: 0 (0 laps)

Lead Changes: 3 (4 drivers)

Weather: Clear, 45 °F, Northwest 63 mph

Pitstop Frequency: 1x

AI Strength: 95%

PENALTIES

LAP	#	INFRACTION	PENALTY
31	7	Unsafe pit exit	Stop and go
31	7	Unsafe pit exit	Stop and go

Race 2

Session: Qualifying

P	#	DRIVER	TIME
1	86	T Nadz	18.656
2	34	N Giants	18.823
3	29	G Packers	18.868
4	42	M Wolverines	18.881
5	31	O Buckeyes	18.882
6	61	A Crimson Tide	18.911
7	62	J Jaguars	18.925
8	21	S Chargers	18.927
9	32	K Chiefs	18.929
10	60	I Colts	18.948
11	58	P Steelers	18.952
12	12	N Patriots	18.960
13	98	N Jets	18.970
14	44	N Fighting Irish	18.987
15	33	S Seahawks	18.997
16	28	R Cook	18.997
17	81	F Seminoles	19.001
18	75	O Raiders	19.003
19	80	D Lions	19.015
20	85	U Trojans	19.018
21	11	T Longhorns	19.018
22	16	S 49ers	19.020
23	37	P Eagles	19.022
24	27	O Ducks	19.022
25	47	F Gators	19.031
26	95	B Man	19.032
27	39	G Bulldogs	19.033
28	73	T Buccaneers	19.035
29	83	C Bears	19.037
30	52	T Titans	19.039
31	45	H Texans	19.043
32	38	A Cardinals	19.060
33	20	B Ravens	19.079
34	88	N Saints	19.081
35	99	D Cowboys	19.084
36	10	B Bills	19.108
37	55	L Tigers	19.151
38	13	S Hagerty	19.151
39	22	C Ferguson	20.713
40	23	Z Webster	--
41	7	D Hamilton	--
42	56	M Max	--
43	63	T Bear	--

Weather: Clear, 55 °F, Northwest 4 mph

Session: Race

OFFICIAL STANDINGS

F	S	#	DRIVER	INTERVAL	LAPS	LED	POINTS	STATUS
1	1	86	T Nadz	225.411	23	23*	185	Running
2	3	29	G Packers	-7.46	23	0	170	Running
3	9	32	K Chiefs	-8.61	23	0	165	Running
4	8	21	S Chargers	-8.95	23	0	160	Running
5	42	56	M Max	-1L	22	0	155	Running
6	40	23	Z Webster	-1L	22	0	150	Running
7	33	20	B Ravens	-1L	22	0	146	Retired
8	5	31	O Buckeyes	-1L	22	0	142	Running
9	31	45	H Texans	-1L	22	0	138	Running
10	38	13	S Hagerty	-1L	22	0	134	Retired
11	16	28	R Cook	-1L	22	0	130	Running
12	35	99	D Cowboys	-1L	22	0	127	Running
13	14	44	N Fighting Irish	-1L	22	0	124	Running
14	6	61	A Crimson Tide	-1L	22	0	121	Running
15	41	7	D Hamilton	-1L	22	0	118	Running
16	15	33	S Seahawks	-1L	22	0	115	Running
17	26	95	B Man	-1L	22	0	112	Running
18	17	81	F Seminoles	-1L	22	0	109	Running
19	7	62	J Jaguars	-1L	22	0	106	Running
20	22	16	S 49ers	-1L	22	0	103	Running
21	32	38	A Cardinals	-1L	22	0	100	Running
22	27	39	G Bulldogs	-1L	22	0	97	Running
23	28	73	T Buccaneers	-2L	21	0	94	Running
24	30	52	T Titans	-2L	21	0	91	Running
25	29	83	C Bears	-2L	21	0	88	Running
26	13	98	N Jets	-2L	21	0	85	Running
27	20	85	U Trojans	-3L	20	0	82	Running
28	39	22	C Ferguson	-4L	19	0	79	Running
29	23	37	P Eagles	-5L	18	0	76	Accident
30	34	88	N Saints	-5L	18	0	73	Running
31	2	34	N Giants	-5L	18	0	70	Running
32	19	80	D Lions	-6L	17	0	67	Accident
33	4	42	M Wolverines	-6L	17	0	64	Accident
34	18	75	O Raiders	-6L	17	0	61	Accident
35	10	60	I Colts	-7L	16	0	58	Accident
36	37	55	L Tigers	-7L	16	0	55	Running
37	25	47	F Gators	-9L	14	0	52	Accident
38	43	63	T Bear	-15L	8	0	49	Running
39	21	11	T Longhorns	-16L	7	0	46	Accident
40	36	10	B Bills	-22L	1	0	43	Accident
41	24	27	O Ducks	-22L	1	0	40	Accident
42	11	58	P Steelers	-23L	0	0	37	Accident
43	12	12	N Patriots	-23L	0	0	34	Accident

Caution Flags: 0 (0 laps)

Lead Changes: 0 (1 driver)

Weather: Clear, 55 °F, South 10 mph

Pitstop Frequency: 1x

AI Strength: 95%

PENALTIES

LAP

#

INFRACTION

PENALTY

Race 3

Session: Qualifying

P	#	DRIVER	TIME
1	62	J Jaguars	18.680
2	80	D Lions	18.682
3	21	S Chargers	18.693
4	44	N Fighting Irish	18.724
5	83	C Bears	18.728
6	29	G Packers	18.740
7	86	T Nadz	18.756
8	23	Z Webster	18.762
9	27	O Ducks	18.764
10	56	M Max	18.774
11	42	M Wolverines	18.785
12	47	F Gators	18.787
13	61	A Crimson Tide	18.795
14	16	S 49ers	18.801
15	28	R Cook	18.804
16	45	H Texans	18.811
17	60	I Colts	18.814
18	55	L Tigers	18.815
19	95	B Man	18.816
20	75	O Raiders	18.818
21	34	N Giants	18.818
22	52	T Titans	18.822
23	81	F Seminoles	18.826
24	85	U Trojans	18.829
25	7	D Hamilton	18.835
26	33	S Seahawks	18.839
27	73	T Buccaneers	18.840
28	39	G Bulldogs	18.843
29	88	N Saints	18.846
30	31	O Buckeyes	18.846
31	37	P Eagles	18.853
32	10	B Bills	18.870
33	58	P Steelers	18.877
34	32	K Chiefs	18.877
35	38	A Cardinals	18.886
36	99	D Cowboys	18.893
37	98	N Jets	18.893
38	13	S Hagerty	18.906
39	20	B Ravens	18.908
40	11	T Longhorns	18.928
41	12	N Patriots	18.953
42	22	C Ferguson	--
43	63	T Bear	--

Weather: Clear, 62 °F, Northwest 41 mph

Session: Race

OFFICIAL STANDINGS

F	S	#	DRIVER	INTERVAL	LAPS	LED	POINTS	STATUS
1	25	7	D Hamilton	223.704	23	5	180	Running
2	21	34	N Giants	-6.29	23	0	170	Running
3	17	60	I Colts	-6.43	23	0	165	Running
4	42	22	C Ferguson	-1L	22	0	160	Running
5	3	21	S Chargers	-2L	21	0	155	Running
6	5	83	C Bears	-3L	20	0	150	Running
7	23	81	F Seminoles	-3L	20	0	146	Running
8	20	75	O Raiders	-4L	19	0	142	Running
9	10	56	M Max	-4L	19	3	143	Running
10	7	86	T Nadz	-4L	19	12*	144	Running
11	6	29	G Packers	-4L	19	0	130	Accident
12	8	23	Z Webster	-5L	18	3	132	Running
13	29	88	N Saints	-5L	18	0	124	Running
14	40	11	T Longhorns	-5L	18	0	121	Accident
15	34	32	K Chiefs	-5L	18	0	118	Piston
16	13	61	A Crimson Tide	-5L	18	0	115	Accident
17	4	44	N Fighting Irish	-5L	18	0	112	Accident
18	12	47	F Gators	-6L	17	0	109	Accident
19	33	58	P Steelers	-6L	17	0	106	Accident
20	14	16	S 49ers	-7L	16	0	103	Accident
21	39	20	B Ravens	-7L	16	0	100	Accident
22	31	37	P Eagles	-7L	16	0	97	Accident
23	43	63	T Bear	-7L	16	0	94	Running
24	27	73	T Buccaneers	-8L	15	0	91	Accident
25	38	13	S Hagerty	-9L	14	0	88	Camshaft
26	15	28	R Cook	-9L	14	0	85	Accident
27	37	98	N Jets	-10L	13	0	82	Running
28	36	99	D Cowboys	-11L	12	0	79	Accident
29	32	10	B Bills	-11L	12	0	76	Accident
30	2	80	D Lions	-11L	12	0	73	Accident
31	41	12	N Patriots	-14L	9	0	70	Accident
32	19	95	B Man	-16L	7	0	67	Accident
33	9	27	O Ducks	-17L	6	0	64	Accident
34	1	62	J Jaguars	-17L	6	0	61	Accident
35	16	45	H Texans	-20L	3	0	58	Accident
36	26	33	S Seahawks	-20L	3	0	55	Accident
37	24	85	U Trojans	-20L	3	0	52	Accident
38	11	42	M Wolverines	-21L	2	0	49	Accident
39	18	55	L Tigers	-21L	2	0	46	Accident
40	22	52	T Titans	-21L	2	0	43	Accident
41	30	31	O Buckeyes	-21L	2	0	40	Accident
42	35	38	A Cardinals	-22L	1	0	37	Accident

Caution Flags: 0 (0 laps)

Lead Changes: 3 (4 drivers)

Weather: Clear, 62 °F, West 43 mph

Pitstop Frequency: 1x

AI Strength: 95%

PENALTIES

LAP

#

INFRACTION

PENALTY