Short Track Lovin' ✅

Chapter 29: Talladega

April 2017

Despite their relationship being back on-track, Chase and Sarina hadn't been able to spend as much time together as they wanted.

While she attended the races with him on the weekend, she continued to spend her weeks with her brother. Thankfully, his schedule of healing continued accordingly and he was released from hospital at the end of April as scheduled. With the release, both he and their cousin Bethany moved to North Carolina to be closer to Sarina.

As things returned back to normal, Sarina was set on continuing her racing career this season as scheduled. It was why that weekend she was at Talladega Superspeedway ready to run the ARCA race. Kyle had set-up a deal for her to run some races for Venturni Motorsports this year, in an effort to get experience.

"You haven't drafted before – so this will be some good practice for you," were the words he spoke pre-season. She wasn't about to argue as she knew drafting was totally different than what she was used to, and practice never hurt anybody. Besides, it was another opportunity to prove herself and win.

It was why now with Cup qualifying in the books, she stood by her car getting ready to go, with Chase not standing far away. He had gotten done qualifying, followed by answering the required media questions before making his way over to her car, still adorning his Hooters firesuit.

"I wouldn't mind you wearing white all year," she comments as she looks into his eyes. Those eyes could hypnotize her any day of the week.

"Oh really?" He questions and she shakes her head yes as she reaches an arm around him. She was going to take full advantage of the closeness this weekend.

"It makes your ass look great." He then rolls his eyes as he brushes a piece of hair out of her eyes. She could stare all she wanted, because he had something to keep his attention.

"Well, you look amazing no matter what you're wearing." He leans in and kisses her lips, lightly. "I love you. Be safe out there."

"Don't worry – today is going to be an excellent day, Mr. Elliott." She then turns to climb in the car, before glancing at him. "Are you going to sit up on the pit box?" He was surprised by the question. Normally it just happened with a late model deal due to owning the car, or while she was running the truck for Kyle as he knew. However, this was a different team.

"Do you think Billy would mind?" She shakes her head no immediately. In her mind, it was just like any other relationship that somebody had going on.

"He knows we're together. Besides, it'd made me feel better." He knew he couldn't deny what she wanted, even if it felt awkward. It'd be so much easier and sensible if they were both driving for the same manufacture.

"Then I'll be up there all race long, with Hootie." She then looks at him confused until he pulls a little stuffed animal owl out of his pocket. Was this discussion really happening right now? "I got stuck with him courtesy of the Hooters girls. He's supposed to bring me luck."

"Was he in the car for your qualifying lap?" He shakes his head no, remembering the awkwardness and comic relief he and Alan had prior to the run.

"He sat with Alan. I wasn't taking a passenger." She then chuckles as she reaches over, petting his head. Perhaps he would be worth keeping around.

"Well then you can keep him to bring me some luck." She then gives him one more final kiss, before climbing in the car and set to go.

Chase took his seat on top of the Venturini Motorsports pit box, feeling a little out of his element still in his Cup firesuit and having a stuffed animal owl in his pocket. However, there were no complaints to be heard through the opening laps of the event.