Potential - S01 E134

Story 3 days ago

Potential - S01 E134

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 134

"Cars have wheels, you'll be checking out the things with legs," Evan said. "Have fun."

Evan felt awkward at first with the two adults he barely knew, but Dale and Harry knew Cindy well, and they treated him like a team member. He got in their conversations, asked informed questions, and turned wrenches when he was told. He was starting to feel like one of the regular Saturday night racers, and he liked it. So what if his father and Uncle JC were looking at other drivers to replace Cindy. She wanted him to drive her car when she went to college, and he thought Uncle JC would go for it. Now all he had to do was prove he was good enough.

When Dale declared the car ready for hot laps, Evan said, "I'm going over to Cindy's to see if Uncle JC needs any help."

"Doing hot laps for your cuz?" Harry asked.

"She said I could."

"Might as well do mine, too, Dale said.

"Sir?"

Harry slapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll still have time to do Cindy's, after."

Evan must have been standing there with his mouth hanging open because Dale said, "If you don't hurry up, you ain't gonna have time.

"Don't you need to do them?" he asked.

"Not as much as you," Harry said. "Been a good while since you drove her."

"That's right," Dale said, "Go get dressed and get back here, unless you don't wanna do it."

"I do, do," Evan said. "I'll hurry."

While Evan was pulling the fire resistant suit over his jeans, Cindy said, "Relax. This isn't a big deal, It's hot laps, You done it before."

"Not in Dale's car," he said.

"You drove it balls to the wall for fifty laps," she said. "This time I'll be on the radio talking you through it."

"I guess."

"It's only hot laps in a Super Stock," Cindy said. "Come right back after. You know my father is going to tell you fifty things before you go out in my car."

"I will," he said.

"He'll be watching you tonight," Cindy said. "Give him a good show.

Evan walked at jogging speed. He was more nervous now. What if his father had changed his mind after meeting with Uncle JC, and tonight was like an interview? Impress his uncle, then his uncle would tell his father to let him take over for Cindy.

Jason stood next to Cindy on the grass hill above turn four. She had a pair of binoculars, a small Motorola radio and an ass that he couldn't stop peeking at. "Is he coming yet?" he asked.

"He's in line next,' Cindy said. "They only let a few cars on each time. Cuts down on crashes."

"Crashes, they can crash during hot laps?".

"Sure." She turned towards him. "It's not called cold laps."

"Oh," he said, feeling more nervous. "Evan said it was to feel the car out and check track conditions."

"Yes, but you can check out the competition, too," Cindy said, her intensity growing. "You get into it, try and get in the head of someone you're worried about. Hopefully, they'll show you what they got. A smart driver will hold back...hide something, but nobody likes to be passed, not even during hot laps."

"Oh, you know a lot, don't you?"

Cindy got closer and said, "You have no idea."

"Oh."

"Those two girls you been following around, they're a bit off."

"Um, I just met them. Billy Joe seems nice."

Cindy hung the binoculars around her neck, then pulled her hair out from under the strap. He watched it fan out on her shoulders and back. His mouth was dry. "She might be nice, but watch out for KK, she's trouble.'

"Huh?" Now his throat was completely stuck to itself.

"Here we go," Cindy said and keyed the mic on the radio. "Go high if you hear me."

The number sixteen, Hansen muffler shop car moved to the outside of the back straightaway, Jason asked, "What kind of car is that?"

"Monte Carlo," Cindy said.

It didn't look anything like Evaris car, but he didn't ask why.

Cindy held the radio to her mouth. "There's a big bump in the middle of three and four, and in one. Hit both of them as hard as you can.

Jason scratched his head. "What?"

"It's better to hit them during hot laps, so you know how it's gonna upset the car."

"Oh, hate to upset your car," he said. "Sorry, I didn't wash you yesterday, Honey." Evan passed in front of thern. The flagman waved his fist at Evan. "Is he upset, too?"

"Smart ass, Cindy said and pushed the talk button. "Low, go low, hit it."

"Whoa!" Jason jumped up on his toes. "Shit, he's-Oh, he saved it. Didn't he?"

"That's what it means to upset the car. It's better to know what's going to happen when there aren't cars all around you."

"Yeah, I bet." He realized this was serious shit. "Is he going to be alright?"

"He'll be fine.'