Short Track Lovin' ✅

Chapter 65: "Announcement?!?"

Thursday, August 22

After landing late that night in Germany, the group checked into their hotel room, set to relax for the night before Thursday. Looking at the plans, they knew it was going to be long – but fun.

So the next morning, Chase was up first and finished getting early, relaxing back on the bed. He texted back and forth with his parents, while skimming through twitter and some e-mails. As Ryan and Sarina continued to get ready, he focused on an e-mail from Morgan.

"Whatcha looking at?" Ryan questions, noticing how Chase had been focused on the screen without changing it for a good bit as he slipped on a pair of shorts. He had to wonder if it was something from Morgan in relation to what happened before they went away, or something from the lawyer. There wasn't a lot of things that distracted him from his trip. "That e-mail sounds serious....."

"Just an announcement," Chase says casually without a second thought. It wasn't like it was revealing anything he wasn't allowed.

"Announcement?!?" Ryan and Sarina ask together as Sarina pops her head out from the bathroom. Chase glances between them, surprised by their instant reaction. They both should know e-mails like this were part of the job.

"Yeah. Hendrick Motorsports is making an announcement on the Monday we get back." Sarina felt her stomach sink instantly, worried based on the recent turn of events. It was also not like Chase not to tell her something. What was happening here?

"Does it have to do with the trial?" She questions, and Chase instantly shakes his head. She lets out a sigh of relief immediately.

"Absolutely not," he assures her. "If there's anything they're ever announcing that's connected to you, your family – whatever, I would tell you right away. I'm sure Morgan would, too. She knows personal boundaries." Sarina nods her head, accepting. She was beginning to like Morgan more and more as she heard details. However, that didn't sound like what was going on.

"Alan's getting fired?" Ryan then guessed, trying to figure out what a team would announce mid-season. There wasn't many things that came out of the bleu requiring big announcements.

"New sponsor?" It was common for multiple marketing partners, and Sarina could only wonder what was next. What do you add to auto parts, pizza, chicken wings, Mountain Dew, and solar panels?

"No, and no," Chase answers as he looks up at Ryan, surprised. There was no way he would ever trade in Alan. He was great at his job, and had saved his life on a couple occasions now. What would make Ryan think that Alan was leaving the team? That was never in consideration. "Under what universe would Alan be getting fired? He's great at his job...."

"Maybe he is ready for a chan-" Ryan starts, knowing sometimes guys didn't want to be crew chiefs forever. He remembered the shock when Ray Everingham left Jeff Gordon. He was waiting for the day that'd happen in similar fashion with Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson.

"I told you already – no." Ryan then sits down on the edge of bed, pondering it over as he slipped his shoes on. What else was left on the table?

"New team alliance?"

"New crew member?" Sarina joins in the guessing game. "Like maybe Josh got an opportunity to crew chief for someone so you're getting a new car chief?" Chase rolls his eyes, immediately. They obviously didn't get how close he, Alan and Josh were – especially after Indianapolis. Wasn't it obvious?

"I like your style...." Ryan comments with a smile, seeing how she was putting the pieces together. Perhaps together they could make him squeal.

"No, and no," Chase tells them, growing annoyed. "My guys are sticking together. We're family, remember?" Sarina lets out a sigh as she lays on the bed before him. They needed a new approach.