Author's Note: I should be back from my vacation later today, but until then my responses may still be a bit slow.

Chapter 7

Two Years Ago

"Ruby, you'll do great." Yang said.

Ruby sat inside her F3 car, an updated version of the one she had built all those years ago for Yang. Now she was going to drive it in her first race. It would be a 50 lap race of the Grand Patch Vacuo Circuit, a shortened version of the course used for lower level races. Ruby had been excited to drive. All her friends were drivers, current and former, and it looked so fun. After what had happened to her mother, Ruby was understandably afraid to get behind the wheel of a race car, but she decided to at least give it a try. If it was half as fun as Yang made it sound, it would be worth it.

Now that she was actually going through with it, Ruby was beginning to regret her decision. She had thrown up from nerves before each practice session and qualifying, and those were just the warm-up. It was time for the race and she would be surrounded by other drivers. She was confident in her own ability to not crash, but in F3 there were some real incompetents. She was not concerned that her own mistake could get her killed - the Grand Patch Vacuo Circuit was not particularly fast and any one-car crash would be minor - but someone doing something stupid could be her end. She threw up in a trash can in the back of the garage before getting into the car. Now that she was in the seat she could not stop shaking. Every rational fiber of her being told her to get out and give it up. If it was just her, she probably would have. But Yang was there in the garage, and her other friends were in the crowd. If she backed out now she would disappoint them.

"Ruby, did you hear me?" Yang asked. Ruby had not responded to her encouragement. She was still shaking, hands gripping the wheel with white-knuckle intensity, staring straight ahead through the lifted visor of her bright red helmet. Yang was worried.

"I...I heard you." Ruby said. "I feel sick."

"Should I get the trashcan?" Yang asked.

"No, I don't think there's anything left in me to puke out." Ruby said with a forced laugh. If she did not head out to the grid now she would be late and be forced to start from pit road. She had qualified mid-pack, but the penalty would still be devastating. "St...start it up."

Yang walked behind the car, and plugged in the external starter. The engine, a 1.0 liter 4 cylinder specially made by Penny, came to life with a high-pitched whine. "You're all set!" Yang shouted over the screaming engine. "Go get 'em!"

Ruby nodded, slapped her visor down and drove out of the garage. She made her way slowly around the track before picking her way through the mostly-full grid to her starting spot in eleventh. She was starting on the outside of the sixth row, smack in the middle of the field of 21 cars. As she looked around at the other vehicles she began to wonder if it would have been better to start from the pit road. Turn 1 at Grand Patch, Garage Hill, was notorious for first lap accidents and they usually consumed the middle of the pack. Well, it was too late now.

The cars rolled around for their parade lap before reforming on the grid for the start. The starter raised his flag and the drivers revved their engines. The small, high-revving engines produced a deafening scream. The flag dropped and they were off. Ruby, still nervous, botched the start. She spun her tires badly. At least she had not stalled. That would have been embarrassing. The tires finally bit and Ruby powered ahead, already down to fifteenth by the time she reached the first corner. The downhill, off-camber, right-hander was one of the trickiest in the world, and not everyone got it right. A few cars in front of Ruby, the twelfth place starter missed his braking point, slid wide and collected the thirteenth place starter, taking both off the track and into the armco. Now Ruby was glad she had blown the start. If she had not she would have been in the armco too.

The cars continued downhill briefly before shooting back up toward the Huntsman Hairpin. Ruby was trapped on the outside by the traffic, normally not the preferred line, but there was a jam-up and it worked in her favor. Every car was trying to get to the inside and there was simply not room. Ruby rolled around the outside and picked up a few spots. By the time she was around the hairpin and heading back downhill, she was back to her original eleventh position. Ruby would be on the inside line for the next corner at the bottom of the hill, Ironwood Curve. With the field spread out a little, the preferred line was again an advantage. She passed a car hung to her outside to move up to tenth. Ruby powered out of the corner and onto the following straight, now clear of cars on either side for the first time in the race. She kept to the right side of the circuit, lining up for the next corner, Port. In the F1 configuration of the track, Port was a long, tight, uphill hairpin. For this race, it was just a small kink. Ruby barely touched the brakes before pitching her car to the left. She shot off the F1 track and into Vacuo Bend. It connected Port Bend and Rose Curve, cutting off the fastest parts of the track, those inappropriate for slower cars like F3.

Ruby followed the car in front of her through Vacuo Bend and Rose Curve and they were back on the frontstretch. It was only one lap, but it was Ruby's first in a race and she was relieved to have not screwed it up too badly. It was a big boost to her confidence. For the next few laps she followed the car in front of her, getting into a rhythm and just learning. She slowly got more and more comfortable. Her nerves calmed. There was no more fear, no more worry. It was just Ruby, her car, the track and the competition. She went for a pass on entry to the Huntsman Hairpin. The driver in front of her did not even attempt to block and she made the move cleanly. She was getting the hang of it. A few laps later she made another pass. Then after a while another and another.

As Ruby blazed down the frontstretch she glanced over to see Yang holding the pitboard. One lap to go. Already? Ruby had lost count long ago and was just having fun. Well, if it was the last lap, she should probably work on making that pass she had been setting up. Garage Hill was not an option so Ruby stayed in line, waiting for the Huntsman Hairpin. She moved right to pass but the driver ahead blocked. Ruby moved back left and drove up alongside, but had to fall back in line as they rounded the corner. Ironwood was not a great place to pass. Port was not either. Nor were Vacuo and Rose. Ruby hung back a little as they entered Port, shot across to Vacuo and braked heavily for Rose Curve. The driver ahead took a defensive line but Ruby ignored him, taking her usual line into the corner. The other driver slid wide and Ruby ducked to the right on exit. They ran down the frontstretch side-by-side, Ruby just edging ahead as they crossed under the checkered flag.

Ruby cruised around the track, happy to have finished her first race but a little disappointed it was over. She started to head for the garage but one of the race officials stepped in front of her and waved her in a different direction once she was on pit road. Ruby lifted her visor. "What's going on?" She asked.

"What's going on?" The official repeated. He looked terribly confused. "You finished third, go to the podium."

"I finished what now?!" Ruby exclaimed. She had not been keeping track of her position, instead just focusing on driving. Without her noticing two cars in front of her had dropped out with mechanical issues. "Are you joking?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?" The official replied. He did not.

Podium on debut? Incredible! Ruby had never imagined she would be so successful in her first race. Her goal had been to keep her car on the track, nothing more. She had not expected to finish in the top half, let alone the top 3. Maybe all the fear, all the nervous energy, all the vomit was worth it. She might just have a future behind the wheel.

Present Day

The morning of the Vacuo 500 dawned cool and overcast. Rain was not in the forecast but it was going to be very windy. Ruby did not really care about the weather. The cars had been rolled out onto pit road and lined up. Everyone else was out with the cars or in their pit boxes as pre-race ceremonies got underway. Ruby was in the garage, throwing up. She threw up before every race. It was not fear so much as nervousness most of the time but today she was afraid. She was not just afraid of getting killed, though the possibility certainly crossed her mind, but also of making a fool of herself. It was her first big race. The world would be watching. If she screwed it up it might be her last and she would go down in history as an idiot who was out of her depth.

"You're missing the show." A familiar voice said.

"Uncle Qrow?" Ruby said. She turned to see him leaning against the wall at the mouth of the garage. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to check on you." Qrow replied.

"I mean, what are you doing in Vacuo?" Ruby clarified. "I didn't know you were coming to the race."

"I thought you might need a crew chief." Qrow said. "I talked it over with Nora and she's more than happy to let me take over."

"You're going to be my mechanic?" Ruby said with building excitement. "Just like for mom and dad?"

"You got it kiddo." Qrow confirmed. "I've got to say, it's a much easier job this time. You did all the hard work making the car fast."

"Coming from you that means so much." Ruby said. "I only ever wanted to be a mechanic like you. I never thought I'd drive."

"I knew you'd end up in the car someday." Qrow said. "It's in your blood."

"I don't know about that." Ruby sighed. "I'm a nervous wreck. I can't stop puking."

"Your mother was a nervous wreck before races too." Qrow said. "She would sit there shaking and staring at the wall like she was in some kind of trance. She wouldn't eat anything before the race because she knew she would just throw it up. Then she got in the car and she'd have the biggest smile on her face. She'd be laughing and joking with the crew. It was like she was a totally different person."

"I guess I'm pretty different once the cars start rolling." Ruby said. "I worry and worry but once the race starts it's really fun. I'm really nervous about today though. What if I screw it up?"

"You won't screw it up." Qrow encouraged. "You're a technician who leaves nothing to chance. Something might be screwed up for you, but it won't be your mistake."

"And what if it is?" Ruby asked.

"Who cares?" Qrow replied. "It's your first real race. Most people would be more surprised if you didn't totally blow it."

"That doesn't fill me with confidence." Ruby groaned.

"You've already beat out both your parents." Qrow said. "Your dad didn't get through his first F1 practice without obliterating his car and your mom liked to joke about how she over-revved and destroyed her engine as soon as she left the pits at her first big sports car race. If you can get past turn 1 you'll beat Yang too."

"I guess I don't have the highest standards to live up to." Ruby laughed. She threw up one last time before picking up her helmet and balaclava. "I'm ready."

The pre-race ceremonies were quite the spectacle. It started hours before the race and only got more spectacular as the start closed in. When it came time for Vacuo's national anthem, it was performed by a full marching band. Then it was time for the drivers to report to their cars. Ruby took one last look at her car before getting in. The silver machine sporting the number 71 was a thing of beauty, polished to a mirror sheen. She could still see where her name had been painted over Yang's, and the reminder that it was her sister's car made her sad. She let the feeling pass and put in her balaclava and helmet before climbing aboard.

Qrow came over and crouched beside the car. "Alright kiddo, this is it." He said. "Take it easy early on and let the race come to you. I know you can do this."

After Qrow walked away, heading for the team's pit stall, Penny approached looking terribly nervous. "I am so happy for you." Penny said with a big smile. "Have fun!"

Yang stood behind the car holding the external starter. Originally it had been planned for Ruby to start Yang's engine, but with Yang's injury the roles were reversed. "Go kick some ass!" Yang yelled. "Show the world what you've got!"

A hush came over the crowd as the track announcer spoke. "And now, with the command to start engines, speedway president Tawny Huntsman."

"Ladies and gentlemen…" Tawny began, almost at a whisper. "START! YOUR! ENGINES!"

Yang plugged the external starter into the back of Ruby's car and the engine roared to life. Ren did the same for Pyrrha and Blake for Weiss. Once it was confirmed that all the cars had been successfully started, the officials began waving the field off pit road. Ruby had a long wait. Yang had qualified the car fifth, but since the driver and qualifier were different, Ruby would have to start 33rd and last. Finally it was her time to roll and she followed the other cars onto the track.

On the first row Pyrrha held the pole position on the inside, with May in the middle and Weiss on the outside in third. Just behind Pyrrha was Nadir, the race's defending winner. All the way at the back, on the outside of row 11, was Ruby. Following behind the pace car, they filed past the flag stand and the flagman signaled that the race would start the next lap. The field bunched up, the three-wide rows closing together in anticipation of the start. Ruby hung back a little. She knew she could not win the race on the first lap but she sure could lose it.

The cars rolled off turn 4 and onto the frontstretch. The pace car pulled away and headed down the pit road. At the front Pyrrha waited. The flagman unfurled his green flag and waved it wildly. Pyrrha mashed the throttle and her car leapt forward, pulling her clear of May and Weiss. The cars accelerated as one, thundering down the cavernous frontstretch toward the first corner. At the front Pyrrha was clear and took a clean line into the corner. Weiss yielded second to May and slipped in front of Nadir as the top four ran single-file. Further back in the field, things were more chaotic. Row 8 did not get things sorted out and went into the first corner three-wide. The car on the outside clipped the one in the middle and both spun down the track, taking out the car on the inside line. All three then slid up the track toward the wall, taking out two cars from row 10. Ruby, having hung back on the start, slowly picked her way through the carnage as the yellow flag waved and yellow lights all around the track flashed. There it was. Ruby had not only outdone Yang, she had not been the biggest idiot of the race.

The yellow flag period was brief. The drivers involved were unhurt and the wrecked cars were hastily rolled off the circuit. When the green flag waved again, Pyrrha maintained her lead with the same three behind her. Pyrrha, May, Weiss and Nadir ran line astern and began to pull away from the rest of the pack. They could fight over their positions later. As long as they just stayed in line drafting each other, they would keep pulling away. Further back Ruby found that her car was much faster than those around her. She made up positions in chunks, passing two and three cars per straightaway until she had made her way into the top 10. There the competition was stiffer. Ruby still had the faster machine, but the gap was smaller and she had to be more tactical in order to complete the passes. With an abundance of caution she decided to stay in line and learn from the other competitors.

After the first lap accident, there were no further calamities before the first pit stops. Pyrrha, Weiss and Ruby all came in on the same lap. They had an ace up their sleeve. Instead of using a normal Champ Car pit crew, they had hired crews from Vacuo's National Stock Car Series. Winter had used the trick during her victorious run and they were still the fastest in the world. Tires were changed and the cars were filled with fuel in what seemed to the F1 drivers the blink of an eye. Add to that a quick drink of water for the driver and the service was complete.

May and Nadir came in the next lap. They were using Champ Car crews, but they were still fast. The pair came out just ahead of Pyrrha and Weiss, but the Beacon drivers were already up to speed and flashed past to take the top two spots. Ruby had managed to gain a few spots on her stop and was now up to seventh. Seventh became sixth as one of the drivers ahead fell out of the race with a mechanical failure. The next car ahead of Ruby was Arslan, the leader of the second pack of cars. Ruby got a good run off of turn 4 and swept to the left, driving up alongside Arslan's car. As they reached turn 1 Arslan yielded the position and Ruby swept into fifth.

Penny and Yang sat in Ruby's pit watching the race. Taiyang was there too but he was not watching the race, instead staring ground, afraid to look. "You guys look like you need a drink." Qrow said, walking over. He slipped a flask out of his shirt and handed it to Taiyang. Taiyang emptied it on the spot. Qrow turned the flask upside down and held it up. "Good thing I brought a backup. Well, a few backups if I'm honest." He pulled yet more booze from his pocket and offered it to Yang. She took a quick sip and handed it back. Qrow offered the flask to Penny.

"I don't drink." Penny said.

"You should." Qrow suggested. "I've never seen anyone shake so violently for so long. I'm afraid you'll fly apart."

"I'm just scared for Ruby." Penny said. "And I have bad memories too."

"Well there's nothing like a little alcohol to make you forget your troubles." Qrow said, offering the flask more insistently.

Penny looked up at Qrow's smiling face. "Uncle Qrow, you're being a bad influence." Yang said. Penny grabbed the flask and took a long swig.

"Better?" Qrow asked.

"Maybe a little." Penny admitted. She handed the flask to Yang and she took another sip. Yang tried to hand it back to Qrow but he held up his hands and let her keep it.

"Good." Qrow said. "Come on you guys. Try to enjoy yourselves."

The second pit stop was rapidly approaching. Pyrrha raced down the frontstretch. Her pit board read "Pit In 2." She led the pack around turns 1 and 2 and onto the backstretch. She checked her mirrors. May had retaken second from Weiss, who had also fallen behind Nadir and into fourth. May was not looking to make any moves so Pyrrha focused on her corners. She swept around turn 3 and onto the North Chute. She knew immediately that she had a tire going down. She had to pit now. Pyrrha waved her hand to warn the drivers behind her that she was slowing and got out of the throttle more than usual. It was too late. As the car headed for corner exit the right-rear tire, damaged by a piece of debris, shredded. The car pitched into a counterclockwise spin, sliding up toward the wall before veering away from it as the corner ended.

Pyrrha was sliding toward the pit entrance. She hoped there were not crews over the wall in her path because it would be a bloodbath. She locked up the brakes as the car slid and realized that her predicament was worse than she had thought. She was not heading for the pit entrance. She was heading for the end of the wall that separated the pits from the frontstretch. Her pupils dilated as she skidded toward her fate. Over the screech of her tires there was the shriek of rending metal. A fireball engulfed the car briefly before burning itself out. Near the end of the run there was little fuel left to burn.

Pyrrha was shocked to find herself alive and unhurt. She leapt from the car, which was slightly on fire, and took a few quick steps away from the shattered hulk. She looked back to see half a car. From the driver's seat forward the car was virtually undamaged, sitting in the middle of pit road where it had come to rest. She looked up and spotted the other half. An unrecognizable tangle of twisted metal was all that remained of the back half of the car, sheared cleanly off by the pit wall. It now sat in the middle of the frontstretch, burning. Pyrrha took off her helmet and balaclava and tried to catch her breath. She was just happy to be alive.

Pyrrha knew her friends would be terrified by what they had seen. Weiss would have seen the whole accident and Ruby the aftermath. Instead of heading back to her pit, she first went out to the wall separating the pits from the track. She waited for the cars to come around under the yellow flag and waved as they passed. They were surely relieved to see her alive and well. Then she made her way back to her pit. They were happy to see her too. All they had seen from the opposite end of the pit lane was a fireball. Then her car had not come past with the others and the track announcer had said something about a terrible crash. There were hugs all around, including one from a sobbing Penny and another from a terrified-looking Yang, then Pyrrha sat down with the others to watch the rest of the race.

The second round of pit stops occurred under yellow flag conditions. Once what remained of Pyrrha's car was dragged out of the way, all the cars still running came down the pit lane for service. Weiss came out in the lead, and on the back of a blisteringly fast stop, Ruby followed her out second. May was third and Nadir fourth. The race had changed but it was still two Beacon cars up front with two much more experienced Champ Car drivers.

"I'm so glad you're alright." Yang slurred. She slid her chair closer to Pyrrha's, leaned against her and grabbed her arm. "I don't know what I would have done if you'd been hurt."

"Yang...are you drunk?" Pyrrha asked. "You're being awfully affectionate."

Yang paused and thought for a moment. "Between the painkillers and whatever's in Qrow's flask, I think I am." She concluded. Beside her Penny finished what little was left in the flask Qrow had given the pair. "I think it might be pure alcohol but…"

"Uh, Yang, can I have my arm back." Pyrrha interrupted her.

"Oh, yeah, sorry." Yang said as she released her. "I just uh...really like you a lot."

"Yang, maybe you should stop talking." Pyrrha suggested. She was beginning to blush. "You might be embarrassed by what you're saying once you sober up. Either that or I'm learning a lot about you."

"Did I make it weird?" Yang asked. "I made it weird didn't I?"

"Don't worry about it." Pyrrha said. "Just watch the race." Yang kept looking at Pyrrha and Pyrrha was feeling embarrassed. She reached up and turned Yang's head toward the track. "I said, watch the race."

"Pyrrha, do you think Ruby would say yes if I asked her to marry me?" Penny asked, slurring her speech badly.

"That's it, I'm going to have a talk with Qrow!" Pyrrha shouted.

"What's gotten into her?" Penny asked as Pyrrha stormed off.

"I don't know." Yang said. "Maybe she needs a drink too."

At three quarters distance May was in the lead and Nadir was second with Weiss and Ruby just behind. It was a position May knew well. She also knew it could all end in a second. She was just waiting for the shoe to drop. She did not have long to wait. As they roared down the frontstretch she suddenly heard a loud bang, accompanied by a screeching noise as her engine seized up. Her car slowed suddenly, as if she had thrown out a parachute. Nadir was not able to react in time and plowed into the back of May's car. Both crumpled cars spun down the frontstretch as the flagman waved the yellow. May was angry but hardly surprised. She would just have to try again next year. It was always like that for her. There was always next year.

Weiss and Ruby carefully picked their way through the wreck. They were now first and second with no serious competition. The pair came in for their final pit stops. Weiss came out just ahead. Arslan, the only other car left on the lead lap, was third but she had not shown enough speed to keep up with the top group. It would not matter as a transmission issue would take her out of the race a few laps later anyway. As the race went back to green Weiss and Ruby pulled away from the pack. As the laps wore on, Weiss began to slowly pull away. She had been saving her equipment to ensure she made it to the finish. Now it was go time. Ruby gave it everything she had. She pushed the engine to its limits and took the corners as fast as she dared, but Weiss kept pulling away. Lap after lap Weiss was always just the little bit faster.

Weiss crossed the line as the flagman waved the white flag. One lap to go. Ruby was still close enough behind to be visible in her mirrors, but the lead was comfortable. Weiss swept through the first turn, the South Chute and turn 2, accelerating out onto the backstretch. She was going to win. She would join Winter and Pyrrha as winners of the Vacuo 500. Ever since her sister had taken the victory all those years ago Weiss had wanted to match her. Now she was going to do it. Weiss entered turn 3. There was a lapped car just a little ahead. Ruby was close enough that Weiss would probably have to pass it or risk losing the race. The lapped car pulled left in the North Chute to let Weiss pass on the right. Weiss did not quite complete the pass before the corner but left plenty of room to avoid contact.

Something was wrong. Weiss' car was not turning like it should. Suddenly it was like she was on ice. She got out of the gas as the car slid up the track but it was hopeless. All that remained was the sickening smack as it slapped the wall. She had made a stupid, rookie mistake, getting up out of the groove and into the rolled-up rubber and debris called 'the marbles.' Then she had lost all grip and missed the corner. The right side of her car was crushed. Still she held the throttle down, grinding along the wall in a desperate attempt to make it to the line. Ruby flashed by and all was lost. Weiss gave up and let her car slide to a depressing stop within sight of the checkered flag.

The flagman waved a pair of checkered flags in a criss-cross pattern as Ruby drove across the line. She had tears in her eyes. Never in a million years had she expected to ever run the Vacuo 500, let alone win it in her first try. As she slowly rounded the track to the wild cheering of the fans it felt like a dream. She was pretty sure it was and she did not want to wake up. After rounding the circuit she ducked onto pit road and was directed toward the winner's circle. Her team was already there, Taiyang having carried the injured Yang all the way, followed by Penny, Pyrrha, Nora, Ren, Blake, Ozpin and Qrow. She took off her helmet and balaclava, tears streaming down her face.

Weiss was crying too. She sat in her wrecked car, inconsolable. The win was hers and she had thrown it away. It was no one's fault but her own. Her entire life she had been compared to her sister. A win today would have gone a long way toward making those comparisons positive instead of negative, but her blunder would only drive home her inferiority. She alternated between crying and pounding her fists on the steering wheel. The track workers were too afraid to get anywhere near her. Eventually her logic took over. This was not her, an exploding ball of unchecked emotion. That was Yang. She was the calm, clinical one. Freaking out would not change the result. It would only make her look worse. She calmed herself, took off her helmet and balaclava, and made her way to the winner's circle to join her team.

As Ruby stood in her seat a wreath was placed around her shoulders and a glass bottle full of milk thrust into her hands. She took a long chug from the bottle before passing it to Yang. Each team member got a small sip, Weiss arriving just in time to get the last of it. The trophy, in use for decades and featuring the faces and names of every winner, was wheeled in. Ruby was given a plaque featuring a small replica. The celebrations turned into a circus as Yang, who had been acting strangely in Ruby's estimation, grabbed Pyrrha and kissed her on the lips. Pyrrha looked shocked and embarrassed, struggling and pushing Yang away. Then Penny approached Ruby and started to say something barely coherent but Pyrrha quickly grabbed her and dragged her away. Crying like a baby Taiyang hugged Ruby and refused to let go until Qrow physically pried them apart.

"That's the last time I share my booze with them." Qrow laughed. Ruby hugged him. "I knew you had it in you kiddo."

"I'm so happy for you." Yang said, tears of joy streaming down her face.

"You ran a good race." Weiss sighed, forcing a smile. "Congratulations." She looked profoundly depressed and certainly was.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of." Ruby said. She grabbed Weiss' arm and pulled her up into the car with her before adjusting the wreath so it was around both their shoulders. "You were amazing."

Penny and Pyrrha returned. "I am very happy for you Ruby." Penny said. "I'm glad I came."

"Thank you so much." Ruby said. "None of this would have been possible without your work." Penny smiled widely at the compliment.

"You're a great driver, just like your sister." Pyrrha said.

"What was all that about with Yang and Penny?" Ruby asked.

"They've had a bit too much to drink." Pyrrha said. "Your uncle is a bad influence."

"Yeah, I know." Qrow admitted with a laugh.

"I'm so glad all of you could be here." Ruby said. "This is the best day of my life!"

Inspirations

- The Grand Patch Vacuo Circuit is based on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit.

- Ruby's tendency to vomit before a race is based on F1 World Champion Phil Hill who threw up routinely before getting in the car. Before a race he was a ball of nerves, but after throwing up and getting in the seat, he was totally focused and incredibly fast. Few drivers shaded his incredibly technical savvy, another connection to Ruby's character.

- Tawny Huntsman is a play on the name of then speedway president Tony Hulman.

- Pyrrha's crash is vaguely based on Billy Boat's 2003 practice crash at the Speedway.

- The finish of the race is based on the 2011 500, in which the lapped car of Charlie Kimball effectively ruined the career of J. R. Hildebrand. Charlie, probably low on blood sugar or maybe just a jackass, didn't even attempt to allow the leader through though. There's nothing I hate more than lapped cars interfering with the race for the win, as I had some very bad experiences back when I was a professional sim racer.

Inaccuracies and Anachronisms

- Adding "Ladies" to "Gentleman Start Your Engines" was not done until Janet Guthrie qualified for the 500 in 1977. Even then there was an argument made that the gentlemen being referred to were the mechanics who actually started the engines, so she had a female crew member do it to force the change.

- There was no first-corner crash in the '71 500, but the pace car did crash badly on its way down pit road.

- The use of NASCAR crews in the Indianapolis 500 had become a thing of the past by '71, but they were still the fastest in the world.

- Racing drivers getting into drunken shenanigans was a common thing, but usually not until the parties well after the race.