His Lucky Charm

Altercation

Strip got to the track the following day. He was in a mood. He was more quiet and was in a more serious mood.

For the first time he was gong to be leading the pack during the race. People noticed he was on a mission and generally left him alone.

He got to the pits and grabbed his helmet. He learned that some of the older drivers had a grudge against him. He hated how people got mad at him when he got good. It happened all the time.

The different karting stages, when he was a backup driver. All of it.

He didn't want to apologize for being good, so having these senior drivers get angry with him for being the top rookie just annoys the hell out of him.

He sipped some water as his crew chief chatted with him. He listened and nodded as the time for him to get into the car rolled around.

Well. He got into the car and the world went silent. He took a deep breath. He led the pack.

It was strange leading the pack, no one in front, no one to overtake. It was a good feeling. As he gripped his wheel, the green flag was waved.

He took off.

He led for a majority of the laps. It was around lap 197 when things started to get frustrating. The seniors wanted to play. They purposefully bumped him.

He saw and dodged the bumps to the best of his abilities. "Looks like you got enemies kid." Tex said in his ear.

"I noticed..."

"Do what you need to do."

Strip continued to keep the lead. He was not going to play dirty. He refused. He wasn't going to be racer like that.

As he made his decision, a senior tapped the back of his car just right and he went into the wall. He was able to turn out of it, and immediately fight for second.

The car in second who had tapped him, ended up taking out the car in third. They were not on final lap. Strip got into position. He looked and saw Chick in his green car making his way through.

He chuckled a bit. "Gonna be in third buddy."

Soon the race was over and Strip was on the podium with Chick. It was their first shared podium. The first time two rookies ever made it that high.

Chick waved as he received his trophy. Strip then stepped to second. He raised his trophy up as first was announced.

He did the champagne spray with the other winners. As he stepped down he saw the driver who knocked him out standing with his crew in the audience, glaring at him.

He sighed and pulled his cap down as he went to show Tex his trophy.

He walked to his motorhome when he heard walking behind him. He sighed and turned, seeing the senior racer.

"Good race out there." Strip said. The man only crossed his arms.

Strip saw his crew there. "What... mad I beat you?" He said as he took his cap off. Strip only ignored him and started to open the door. The racer rushed and punched him.

Strip winced and hit the floor. The other people there with him started to hit and kick him. He covered his head. The racer came over and grabbed him by his fireproofs.

"You're only lucky, rookies don't beat me." The man growled.

Strip winced but then smirked at him. "Then how did I beat you twice?" The guy punched him hard.

He hit the grass and held his head. He felt like he was going to pass out but when heard someone call him he opened his eyes. "Strip!"

"Sunshine...?" He mumbled as he sat up a bit. He saw her rush over. He saw her wearing his hat.

"Who's this chick..."

"I'm his friend." She said bluntly as she knelt but him. She saw his head bleeding. "You jerks! Back the hell off!" She yelled.

The guy just laughed and grabbed her by the wrist and shoved her away. "I don't got beef with you lady."

She immediately hit him with her purse. He snatched her purse and threw it to the ground. "I'm warning yo-"

A fist connected to his face. The crew all paused. The racer snapped and went to grab her but before his hand could touch her, Strip punched him to the ground.

The racer fell, and strip glared at them. "Leave or I will get Tex. Do you want the CEO... of Dinoco to come sue your asses?" He was ready to pass out.

The crew immediately left with their driver. Strip then groaned in pain as he sank to the ground holding his head

Lynda rushed over and knelt in front of him. "Oh this isn't good... come on." She helped him up.

It was not the best help cause she was significantly shorter than him. Strip was at least 6'1 and she was maybe 5'6?

She got him into the couch in his motorhome. "Uh- where's your phone? I need to call your boss." Lynda looked around.

"By my bed in my room..." strip said as he stayed on the couch with his eyes closed. He heard her run to the back.

He listened to her talking to Tex. Eventually she came back to the lounging area. He opened his eyes tiredly as she opened a first aid.

"I'm assuming you don't want any big lights on?" She said with a soft chuckle. "You're correct..."

She nodded as she knelt onto the couch. "Can I... patch you up?"

He simply nodded.

She nodded and gently held his face. He winced slightly as she wiped blood off his face. "They got you good." She mumbled as she worked.

"Yeah..."

"Why'd they attack you?" She said worried. He opened his eyes a bit and looked ahead.

"I scare them."

"Why?"

"Cause I'm not performing how they thought."