Short Track Lovin' ✅

Chapter 75: Alabama 500

Sunday October 15 – Talladega Superspeedway

Sarina wished she was back in the comfort of the motorcoach, relaxing, not having a single care in the world. Instead, she sat on top of the 24 pit box, fingers crossed, legs crossed, trying to cross her toes, just hoping for a calm day at Talladega. After the drama that track had delivered in April, she wasn't looking for a repeat.

Everything started out smoothly as Chase kept himself up front after starting second, staying in the midst of the lead pack while avoiding taking any chances. However, that all changed when it was time for pit stops.

As cars began to peel off for their stops with the stage coming to an end, chaos ensued with contact, followed by cars going every which way. She held her breath as she watched Chase avoid the chaos, darting down pit road as it broke apart behind him.

The 24 team did their stop as scheduled – cleanly, might she add – before he headed out, set to rejoin the pack. It all seemed to be going perfectly.....

"We're going to have to restart tail of the longest line here," Alan tells them, after getting word from NASCAR. "They say we pitted after pit road was closed." Sarina could only let out a sigh. Sure, they had pitted – but how could anybody tell that NASCAR just randomly decided to flick the light from green to red due to a wreck? This also meant he'd be back in the middle of the eye of the storm. "They need to move that line and light back so you can see it better in turn three. There's no way that you would know."

"It crossed my mind," Chase replies back over the radio. "I thought about trying to get out but it was too late when I saw them wrecking." Taking a deep breath, it was better safe than sorry – even if it meant there'd be nervous times once they got back going.

"Okay, so come on down now and we'll get the left side tires so we'll be penalized for doing the best job that we can." Sarina had to chuckle at Alan's approach to handling the chaos at hand. Hey, least they'd have four new tires compared to some only having two.

Despite her nerves shot up a couple places, Chase was able to hold his ground quite well, and work his way back towards the front of the field into the top-10, getting up to six as the stage was set to come to a close. Another round of stops began, though, and the same chaos ensued, this time involving Jimmie Johnson and Jamie McMurray. Taking a sigh of relief, she was just glad they had avoided trouble so far.

"If we get in a position where we have to pit under green, don't put yourself in harm's way," Alan advises. "Just take another lap." Sarina couldn't help but agree as it was about surviving, scoring as many points as possible, and getting to the next round today.

The third and final stage started, and as he had all day, Chase was right in the mix of the battle for the lead. Though with each move he made, it just seemed to not come together. As the caution flew for debris with the laps counting down, she hoped the reset would present the perfect opportunity.

"We will get this," Eddie D'Hondt encouraged. "We just haven't found the right dance partner." She couldn't help but agree, but saw potential in those starting around him.

Her breath caught in her throat as they went back green, knowing the action was about to pick up with the race nearing its conclusion. She found herself in a mix of nerves, with some cheers even escaping her lips, as everything began to came together. The search for a dance partner came out to be complete, in the form of Ryan Blaney, as the pair went back and forth for the lead with the Penske teammates. It was also a calming sensation seeing that No. 24 Chevrolet lead laps, as he was ahead of both wrecks that took place behind them removing multiple cars.

Taking a deep breath under the latest caution, she knew the intensity was set to ramp up and it was now or never. She just hoped Chase made the right moves.