Life in the Fast Lane

by The Wasteland Brony

Chapter 16: The End of the Legend

18 Years later

Applejack, piloting the #24 Pepsi Chevrolet since her 2nd season after her mentor and now longtime friend Jeff Gordon retired, came around turn 4 and took home the checkered flag for her record setting 8th Premier Series Championship and her 110th career victory.

It had been a long, winding road for the amber farm pony. 18 years ago she had won her first career race, which kicked off one of the most legendary careers in NASCAR history. Applejack had some down years, going a couple seasons without a single victory, while other seasons she would win 6+ races.

Applejack was the lone remaining driver from the field of drivers in her first win. Jeff, Jimmie and Dale had all been inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame with 100% of the vote. She had been crowned rookie of the year in 2015, broke Dale Jr's record for "NASCAR's Most Popular Driver" Award, winning it in all of her 18 seasons.

When she announced that she'll be retiring at seasons end, it was similar to when Jeff announced his retirement all those years ago. Tears were shed but she felt it was her time to step away from the car.

The very next year, NASCAR inducted her into the Hall of Fame without making her wait the required 5 years post-retirement to be up for the honor. NASCAR also did something they never did before, in agreement with Rick Hendrick, they retired the #24 in both her and Jeff's honor.

NASCAR most certiantly wouldn't be the same without Applejack behind the wheel of a race car, but she defiantly made an impact that would live on for generations to come looking to live Life in the Fast Lane

Applejack closed the cover of the biography as she finished reading it. On her lap, an earth pony filly sat beaming happily

"Granny AJ, you are so awesome!!!!" The filly beamed brightly

"Awwww shucks, thank ya sugarcube" Applejack returned the smile of her grandfilly

"When I grow up, I want to be just like you Granny AJ!!!"

Applejack took the old, worn, beaten stetson hat off her head and placed it gently on the fillies head "You'll do great sugar cube"

The old amber farm pony looked up and standing in the door frame was the ghost of Dale Sr, who gave Applejack one final thumbs up before he disappeared. She smiled and a single tear ran down her cheek as her grandfilly had fallen asleep in her lap

"Thank you, for everything Dale"

Author's Note:

Well, this is it. It's finally finished. Over a year latter, I'm so dang proud of this piece and I want to thank you all for supporting it on the long journey to this point.

Remember everypony "BOGITY BOGITY BOGITY, LETS GO RACING EVERYPONY!!!!!"

Comments

[The Wasteland Brony]

Now I know the ending probably wasn't what everypony was expecting or wanted to see, but again I was running out of ideas for this story and I didn't want to go through doing like 3-4 chapters for every race. There being 36 races in a normal season with the added couple of races in Equestria (bringing the total to 41) that would mean 164 chapters. But I thought the way I ended the story was great

[NRLeagues]

One hell of a story. Good job.

[The Wasteland Brony]

7207519 Thank you! Still means a lot to me to get comments like that

[Nascarfan2442]

7212615 you wanna know what you have inspired me I will take the regions of this story if its ok with you but I do write stories and well if I can I will take it over for you and have it where apple jack will train in another pony with a lot of talent into NASCAR

[The Wasteland Brony]

8100291 I do appreciate your enthusiasm and love of this story, but I have completed the story. I have taken it as far as I wanted too and don't intend on editing it in anyway.

Thank you again for the support of it! I really do appreciate it!!

The Wasteland Brony

[Kevin Harvick]

Ok im a fan

[schorpioen007]

Very good story ^^

[Rayjbunz]

I would like to see this as an read out loud