Twisted Metal 2017 - Mr Norms Mayhem R7-6

Mr Norms lived u to its namesake.  All three races brought interesting twists in both the points and the cars themselves.  Because of how much mayhem there was, it was became easier to follow along with each of the human team leaders than try and highlight all of the action.  But first, this was the first Wildcard Night.  The contestants: Mark (AFC East) and an AI team (NFC South).  Rules:  Team with the most Top 5s wins.

Race 1:

Zack started off in the back with all of us as there were qualifying issues with the track.

He avoided the worst of the initial wrecking.

Then he and I fought for the lead for a few laps.

He had a close moment as I got very loose taking someone out and he bounded off the Dolphins.

He then had to fight with Darrel and Scot who had moved up the order in quick succession.

After falling to 4th, he caught up to me after I had a crash and was recovering back onto the track.  A hit that probably helped end my race.

After that he avoided Scot who was busy wrecking Zack's Chiefs.

Then he got caught on the back of the Badgers as they hooked into the Dolphins and the trio swung instantly to the left.

He then took a series of hits, most notably from the Jets.  

That hit sent him into the crowd and onto the retaining fence, forcing a tow.

He fell to 33rd and started fighting back into points, though several laps down.

While mostly a non-combatant, he did manage to take some other drivers out, including his own.

But also others that counted.  All in all, a mediocre finish but points nonetheless.

Darrel also laid back early on.

He did quickly learn that subtle hip checks could be quite effective as he mostly avoided contact.

Not to say he didn't let it happen when it was coming to him.

Staying calm and driving on, he took the lead after I had a crash.

He then charged away from the field as they contended with various complications.  Mostly rolling over and flying off track.

His race was not without issue.  As many cars slowed for an accident, he couldn't avoid a collision.

But he landed on his feet and carried on.

Only but a turn later, he was caught out by the Mountaineers.

Again he was sent flying.

But he again stayed straight and carried on to victory.

Scot held the last place start and watched the terror unfold before him, laying back and getting used to the track again.

He shadowed Darrel and quickly rose up to 2nd after Zack and I had issues.  But then Zack gave him some issues as he started taking out his Chiefs.  Instant karma.

He cooked his tires recovering and had to change them out.

Back on track, he didn't spend long before he was off again.

And called a tow.

And rolled his car off of pit road.

Then there was this large mess that ended up catching Darrel out.

There was a little fussing getting back going but it was nothing compared to the hip check he got from the Bengals.

And another tow.

But for the second week in a row, he managed to butcher an indestructible engine.

He did get this one repaired but with his race effectively shot, he reverted to what he knows best.

Sandy's race started off rubbish as he was tagged early.

And did a lazy roll down the track.

He managed to get on his wheels and get going.  A couple of hits here and there but he was looking to gain spots before dropping to the depravity of wrecking others.

But by the time he was in the top ten and looking good, I was well into my routine and got carried away.

Nowhere to go and we ended up everywhere, stuck on the fence.

Towed.

He did get going again and spent several laps clawing to a points position.

A little over halfway, things were looking decent until he rammed the Boilermakers by accident.

Rolled and towed.

Somewhat and understandably frustrated, he continued back to his campaign of gaining spots albeit more aggressively.  He did manage points but it wasn't the race he was looking for.  His miserable finishes continue on.  Hopefully the damage races will help.

My race started well and I managed to make quick work of the field.

Feeling confident, I started knocking off others even before gaining a top position.

While things were going well...

...I did have a moment with the Broncos.

I managed to land but my ever closing comrades were now going to take my top spot away.

Just as I was getting going in the right direction, I was sideswiped by the Webster.  Karma again.

As I pirouetted around the track, I quickly lost positions.

I got going again and resigned myself to mostly ruining others.  Although, it somewhat backfired.

Then it REALLY backfired.

Stuck in the fence like Tony Stewart after a win, I went to call a tow, like Tony Stewart, but inadvertently hit Retire instead.  A frustrating finish after less than a quarter of progress.  So many more cars to wreck...

Race 2:

Again at the back and we watched as the American Carnage unfolded.  We mostly kept out of it and off of each other.

 While we did avoid initial conflict, we did scare each other quite a bit and there were no clear getaways initially.

I immediately took to killing off targets of opportunity.

Scot and Darrel were very close, avoiding the masses while improving position.

But as Scot avoided running into Darrel, he got up in the high lane and knocked around by Sandy's Steelers.

He came back onto the track, once again quite broken but not out.  More on that in a moment.

Just up the track, Darrel was wrestling with his car as he got wholloped by the Rams and Boilermakers coming together.

Darrel came out damaged and relinquished position to Zack.

Sandy was anticipating the accident and fallout that Darrel was in and it looked like he avoided him, but instead just managed to body check him off the track to death.

Scot may have had a chance at repairs, though slim.  However, that door was closed up by the Seahawks who decided it a good idea to run the apron.

And it was violently slammed by the Panthers and Patriots as well as others.  Dead two in a row.  But at least he took a bunch out this time.

Meanwhile, I was up to first and Zack was closing in.

My damaged driving and Zack's coolness under pressure gave him the lead.

While I could of kept going after Zack, I found it much more fun to pick off my competition.

But my reign of terror couldn't keep going without issue and I was thrown off by the Jags.

Sandy took this opportunity to cleaning slip by into the number two spot.  Up to this point, he'd raced clean (minus Darrel) and quietly took positions.

After shaking off the dust, I went back to my blitz approach.

This nearly caused Sandy defeat as he came upon the wrecked Broncos.

And nearly every member of my team was around for the aftermath.

I sailed on by and admired my handiwork.

Zack inevitably caught up with me again and there was some mild contact as we figured out how to handle one another.

Immediately after, I swung wide to avoid my Cowboys as they dramatically threw the brakes.

Zack was thrown for a loop and my Cowboys nearly caught my back end.  Would have been something like mutually assured destruction.

But I got away and Zack just managed to expertly catch himself before flying off and killing himself.

And he charged back into battle.

And was nearly struck by a vengeful 99.

I continued on the warpath.

Knowing my team was still in contention and not sure the points disposition of my closest competitors, I was killing almost indiscriminately.

The other drivers had had enough and after encouragement from Darrel, Zack went on the attack.

It may have been a clean hit but the 49ers were caught in the mix and we all were sent on new trajectories.

I went soaring towards the fence and Zack coasted off the edge of the track.

Damaged and still going, he came back, hoping that with <10 laps remaining, he could salvage his race.  Then his engine died.

I wasn't doing too much better and my crew was already packing up the truck for a trip by McDonalds.

Sandy came on the scene and suddenly his race was looking even more promising.

Trouble early on didn't mean it was the end and Sandy went to his first win of the series and possibly our Tnadz Racing League.

Race 3:

As expected, another 48 lap race at full damage started with a junk yard.

Actually two.

All humans had managed to avoid issues up until now and as Zack sailed by, I tagged his side while trying to pull out from behind Sandy.

The two came together and Sandy came off the worse for wear.  But he was still alive and rolling.  And rolling.

I moved up and the other humans weren't far behind.

Several more laps later, they caught up to Sandy and as he bumped the back of the Cowboys, he shot down in front of Scot.

This ended badly for them both.

I then carried on as I did in the second race.  I was slightly more reserved only to avoid going out from damage.

Zack was keeping his nose clean but got in trouble when he came up on the Gamecocks too fast.

He then went up and over.  Dead.  Don't worry, Zack.  I would kill them later.

But my killing-spree was again not without issues.

Not once...

But twice.

Darrel kept it straight and narrow and took the lead.

Damaged, off pace and basically assured 2nd if I kept it rolling, I tried to kill as many cars that weren't mine as I could.

And then Darrel took his 2nd win of the night.  It helps and probably feels good after some shortcomings last season.

The points have been thoroughly upset.  On to the Volcano at Michigan.

Race 1

Track: MNorms Mayhem Night

Session: Practice

P	#	DRIVER	TIME
1	86	T Nadz	15.129
2	56	M Max	15.404
3	45	D Hamilton	15.546
4	21	Z Webster	15.717
5	63	T Bear	15.865
6	23	C Panthers	17.831
7	4	V Hokies	17.893
8	73	T Buccaneers	17.894
9	33	S Seahawks	17.946
10	22	C Bengals	17.950
11	5	W Mountaineers	17.962
12	16	S 49ers	17.977
13	3	W Badgers	17.977
14	12	N Patriots	17.985
15	75	O Raiders	17.998
16	30	P Boilermakers	18.012
17	83	C Bears	18.020
18	98	N Jets	18.038
19	99	D Cowboys	18.040
20	40	M Spartans	18.043
21	62	J Jaguars	18.052
22	38	A Cardinals	18.060
23	2	N Cornhuskers	18.073
24	32	K Chiefs	18.088
25	88	N Saints	18.090
26	10	B Bills	18.094
27	60	I Colts	18.101
28	28	S Rams	18.108
29	70	P Nittany Lions	18.133
30	29	G Packers	18.136
31	6	V Wildcats	18.147
32	13	M Dolphins	18.148
33	20	B Ravens	18.152
34	37	P Eagles	18.166
35	7	D Broncos	18.175
36	90	S Gamecocks	18.217
37	50	B Bears	18.225
38	34	N Giants	18.226
39	52	T Titans	18.257
40	1	T Aggies	18.286
41	80	D Lions	18.334
42	95	A Falcons	18.382
43	58	P Steelers	18.385

Weather: Cloudy, 44 °F, Southeast 9 mph

Session: Happy Hour

P	#	DRIVER	TIME
1	21	Z Webster	15.521
2	6	V Wildcats	18.407
3	5	W Mountaineers	18.428
4	13	M Dolphins	18.490
5	29	G Packers	18.548
6	10	B Bills	18.608
7	4	V Hokies	18.614
8	88	N Saints	18.804
9	30	P Boilermakers	18.901
10	99	D Cowboys	25.148

Weather: Cloudy, 44 °F, East 4 mph

Session: Race

OFFICIAL STANDINGS

F	S	#	DRIVER	INTERVAL	LAPS	LED	POINTS	STATUS
1	40	45	D Hamilton	158.518	48	41*	185	Running
2	11	6	V Wildcats	-3L	45	0	170	Running
3	14	80	D Lions	-3L	45	0	165	Running
4	35	50	B Bears	-3L	45	0	160	Running
5	13	22	C Bengals	-3L	45	0	155	Running
6	37	23	C Panthers	-3L	45	0	150	Running
7	17	28	S Rams	-3L	45	0	146	Running
8	30	7	D Broncos	-4L	44	0	142	Running
9	3	58	P Steelers	-4L	44	0	138	Running
10	33	29	G Packers	-4L	44	0	134	Running
11	10	98	N Jets	-4L	44	0	130	Running
12	38	62	J Jaguars	-4L	44	0	127	Running
13	19	12	N Patriots	-4L	44	0	124	Running
14	26	73	T Buccaneers	-4L	44	0	121	Running
15	23	20	B Ravens	-4L	44	0	118	Running
16	6	40	M Spartans	-4L	44	0	115	Running
17	12	33	S Seahawks	-4L	44	0	112	Running
18	7	60	I Colts	-5L	43	0	109	Running
19	16	75	O Raiders	-5L	43	0	106	Running
20	29	38	A Cardinals	-5L	43	0	103	Running
21	27	95	A Falcons	-6L	42	0	100	Running
22	9	16	S 49ers	-6L	42	1	102	Running
23	41	21	Z Webster	-6L	42	1	99	Running
24	22	30	P Boilermakers	-6L	42	0	91	Running
25	21	88	N Saints	-6L	42	0	88	Running
26	15	1	T Aggies	-6L	42	0	85	Running
27	36	83	C Bears	-7L	41	0	82	Running
28	32	5	W Mountaineers	-7L	41	0	79	Running
29	42	63	T Bear	-7L	41	0	76	Running
30	24	10	B Bills	-8L	40	0	73	Running
31	25	32	K Chiefs	-8L	40	0	70	Running
32	28	4	V Hokies	-8L	40	0	67	Running
33	18	2	N Cornhuskers	-8L	40	0	64	Running
34	20	34	N Giants	-10L	38	0	61	Running
35	34	99	D Cowboys	-11L	37	0	58	Running
36	8	90	S Gamecocks	-12L	36	0	55	Running
37	1	13	M Dolphins	-13L	35	0	52	Running
38	31	3	W Badgers	-13L	35	0	49	Running
39	4	52	T Titans	-14L	34	0	46	Running
40	43	56	M Max	-14L	34	0	43	Running
41	2	70	P Nittany Lions	-14L	34	0	40	Running
42	5	37	P Eagles	-19L	29	1	42	Running
43	39	86	T Nadz	-38L	10	4	39	Retired

Caution Flags: 0 (0 laps)

Lead Changes: 4 (5 drivers)

Weather: Cloudy, 44 °F, Northeast 5 mph

Pitstop Frequency: 1x

AI Strength: 110%

PENALTIES

LAP	#	INFRACTION	PENALTY
34	56	Smoking Engine	Pit for repairs
35	56	Unsafe pit exit	Stop and go

Race 2

Session: Qualifying

P	#	DRIVER	TIME
1	73	T Buccaneers	--
2	2	N Cornhuskers	--
3	75	O Raiders	--
4	29	G Packers	--
5	52	T Titans	--
6	34	N Giants	--
7	38	A Cardinals	--
8	80	D Lions	--
9	83	C Bears	--
10	5	W Mountaineers	--
11	88	N Saints	--
12	33	S Seahawks	--
13	10	B Bills	--
14	22	C Bengals	--
15	70	P Nittany Lions	--
16	32	K Chiefs	--
17	20	B Ravens	--
18	98	N Jets	--
19	95	A Falcons	--
20	99	D Cowboys	--
21	13	M Dolphins	--
22	90	S Gamecocks	--
23	50	B Bears	--
24	4	V Hokies	--
25	1	T Aggies	--
26	40	M Spartans	--
27	6	V Wildcats	--
28	60	I Colts	--
29	16	S 49ers	--
30	28	S Rams	--
31	62	J Jaguars	--
32	23	C Panthers	--
33	37	P Eagles	--
34	12	N Patriots	--
35	30	P Boilermakers	--
36	58	P Steelers	--
37	3	W Badgers	--
38	7	D Broncos	--
39	45	D Hamilton	--
40	63	T Bear	--
41	21	Z Webster	--
42	56	M Max	--
43	86	T Nadz	--

Session: Race

OFFICIAL STANDINGS

F	S	#	DRIVER	INTERVAL	LAPS	LED	POINTS	STATUS
1	40	63	T Bear	153.254	48	8	180	Running
2	33	37	P Eagles	-1L	47	0	170	Running
3	32	23	C Panthers	-2L	46	0	165	Running
4	5	52	T Titans	-2L	46	0	160	Running
5	29	16	S 49ers	-2L	46	0	155	Running
6	10	5	W Mountaineers	-3L	45	0	150	Running
7	6	34	N Giants	-4L	44	0	146	Running
8	37	3	W Badgers	-5L	43	0	142	Running
9	43	86	T Nadz	-6L	42	5	143	Running
10	41	21	Z Webster	-8L	40	26*	144	Accident
11	21	13	M Dolphins	-12L	36	0	130	Accident
12	12	33	S Seahawks	-13L	35	0	127	Running
13	9	83	C Bears	-13L	35	0	124	Running
14	4	29	G Packers	-13L	35	0	121	Accident
15	27	6	V Wildcats	-13L	35	0	118	Accident
16	23	50	B Bears	-13L	35	0	115	Accident
17	8	80	D Lions	-15L	33	0	112	Accident
18	28	60	I Colts	-16L	32	0	109	Accident
19	7	38	A Cardinals	-20L	28	0	106	Retired
20	25	1	T Aggies	-21L	27	0	103	Accident
21	38	7	D Broncos	-21L	27	0	100	Retired
22	20	99	D Cowboys	-22L	26	0	97	Running
23	1	73	T Buccaneers	-28L	20	9	99	Running
24	31	62	J Jaguars	-29L	19	0	91	Accident
25	15	70	P Nittany Lions	-29L	19	0	88	Retired
26	11	88	N Saints	-32L	16	0	85	Accident
27	17	20	B Ravens	-32L	16	0	82	Accident
28	16	32	K Chiefs	-35L	13	0	79	Accident
29	13	10	B Bills	-37L	11	0	76	Retired
30	35	30	P Boilermakers	-38L	10	0	73	Retired
31	34	12	N Patriots	-38L	10	0	70	Accident
32	2	2	N Cornhuskers	-39L	9	0	67	Accident
33	3	75	O Raiders	-40L	8	0	64	Running
34	14	22	C Bengals	-41L	7	0	61	Piston
35	19	95	A Falcons	-43L	5	0	58	Accident
36	39	45	D Hamilton	-44L	4	0	55	Accident
37	30	28	S Rams	-44L	4	0	52	Running
38	36	58	P Steelers	-44L	4	0	49	Running
39	42	56	M Max	-44L	4	0	46	Accident
40	18	98	N Jets	-47L	1	0	43	Running
41	24	4	V Hokies	-47L	1	0	40	Accident
42	26	40	M Spartans	-47L	1	0	37	Retired
43	22	90	S Gamecocks	-47L	1	0	34	Accident

Caution Flags: 0 (0 laps)

Lead Changes: 3 (4 drivers)

Weather: Cloudy, 42 °F, East 5 mph

Pitstop Frequency: 1x

AI Strength: 110%

PENALTIES

LAP	#	INFRACTION	PENALTY
41	86	Unsafe pit entrance	Held for 30 seconds
42	86	Smoking Engine	Pit for repairs
42	86	Unsafe pit entrance	Held for 30 seconds

Race 3

Session: Qualifying

P	#	DRIVER	TIME
1	30	P Boilermakers	--
2	4	V Hokies	--
3	6	V Wildcats	--
4	29	G Packers	--
5	95	A Falcons	--
6	7	D Broncos	--
7	1	T Aggies	--
8	33	S Seahawks	--
9	83	C Bears	--
10	38	A Cardinals	--
11	73	T Buccaneers	--
12	58	P Steelers	--
13	5	W Mountaineers	--
14	99	D Cowboys	--
15	50	B Bears	--
16	3	W Badgers	--
17	98	N Jets	--
18	23	C Panthers	--
19	16	S 49ers	--
20	13	M Dolphins	--
21	22	C Bengals	--
22	32	K Chiefs	--
23	12	N Patriots	--
24	37	P Eagles	--
25	60	I Colts	--
26	40	M Spartans	--
27	2	N Cornhuskers	--
28	88	N Saints	--
29	28	S Rams	--
30	34	N Giants	--
31	10	B Bills	--
32	70	P Nittany Lions	--
33	52	T Titans	--
34	75	O Raiders	--
35	20	B Ravens	--
36	80	D Lions	--
37	90	S Gamecocks	--
38	62	J Jaguars	--
39	63	T Bear	--
40	56	M Max	--
41	45	D Hamilton	--
42	86	T Nadz	--
43	21	Z Webster	--

Weather: Clear, 32 °F, North 0 mph

Session: Race

OFFICIAL STANDINGS

F	S	#	DRIVER	INTERVAL	LAPS	LED	POINTS	STATUS
1	41	45	D Hamilton	165.514	48	13	180	Running
2	42	86	T Nadz	-1L	47	30*	180	Running
3	14	99	D Cowboys	-4L	44	0	165	Running
4	35	20	B Ravens	-4L	44	0	160	Running
5	29	28	S Rams	-5L	43	0	155	Running
6	30	34	N Giants	-9L	39	0	150	Running
7	23	12	N Patriots	-10L	38	0	146	Running
8	26	40	M Spartans	-11L	37	0	142	Accident
9	3	6	V Wildcats	-12L	36	0	138	Accident
10	12	58	P Steelers	-13L	35	0	134	Accident
11	13	5	W Mountaineers	-16L	32	0	130	Accident
12	37	90	S Gamecocks	-21L	27	0	127	Accident
13	27	2	N Cornhuskers	-21L	27	0	124	Accident
14	15	50	B Bears	-22L	26	0	121	Accident
15	20	13	M Dolphins	-23L	25	0	118	Accident
16	43	21	Z Webster	-27L	21	0	115	Accident
17	36	80	D Lions	-27L	21	0	112	Accident
18	1	30	P Boilermakers	-33L	15	5	114	Accident
19	5	95	A Falcons	-35L	13	0	106	Accident
20	18	23	C Panthers	-36L	12	0	103	Accident
21	16	3	W Badgers	-37L	11	0	100	Retired
22	40	56	M Max	-41L	7	0	97	Accident
23	39	63	T Bear	-42L	6	0	94	Accident
24	17	98	N Jets	-45L	3	0	91	Running
25	19	16	S 49ers	-46L	2	0	88	Retired
26	38	62	J Jaguars	-47L	1	0	85	Running
27	31	10	B Bills	-47L	1	0	82	Retired
28	10	38	A Cardinals	-47L	1	0	79	Retired
29	2	4	V Hokies	-47L	1	0	76	Accident
30	21	22	C Bengals	-47L	1	0	73	Accident
31	28	88	N Saints	-47L	1	0	70	Accident
32	25	60	I Colts	-47L	1	0	67	Accident
33	24	37	P Eagles	-47L	1	0	64	Accident
34	22	32	K Chiefs	-47L	1	0	61	Accident
35	11	73	T Buccaneers	-47L	1	0	58	Accident
36	9	83	C Bears	-47L	1	0	55	Accident
37	6	7	D Broncos	-47L	1	0	52	Accident
38	7	1	T Aggies	-47L	1	0	49	Accident
39	8	33	S Seahawks	-47L	1	0	46	Accident
40	4	29	G Packers	-47L	1	0	43	Accident
41	32	70	P Nittany Lions	-48L	0	0	40	Retired
42	33	52	T Titans	-48L	0	0	37	Accident
43	34	75	O Raiders	-48L	0	0	34	Retired

Caution Flags: 0 (0 laps)

Lead Changes: 2 (3 drivers)

Weather: Cloudy, 45 °F, North 4 mph

Pitstop Frequency: 1x

AI Strength: 110%

PENALTIES

LAP

#

INFRACTION

PENALTY