His Lucky Charm

The King

1999

Strip walked into the stadium.

It was a day of record breaking. Strip was very close to breaking a record. The record for most championship wins.

Chick was in the lead, but if Strip won this race, he was going to be a 7 time champion. Becoming the greatest of all time.

He was ready.

Now that he was a seasoned driver, it felt as if people treated him with some sort of reverence. Granted he was 'The King' but he never gloated about the nickname.

He did like it though.

The name was on the side of the car, and Dinoco now had the slogan 'home of the king' plastered on the side of the company. He wasn't gonna lie... he liked that too.

He got to the tent and listened to the debrief as he prepared himself mentally.

He closed his eyes and just breathed.

Strip sat next to his dad after they fixed up his dad's car. His father wiped oil off of his hands. "Dad. Do you think I'll be a good racer?"

"You're my son. Of course you will."

"Are you just saying that because I'm your son... or..." strip said curiously. His father just chuckled and looked at his son.

"You are talented my dear boy... you have something that not a lot of people have. Not even Chick." His father said as he closed the hood of this car.

"Do you think I could beat the 6 championship records?"

"Oh yes. You are a legend in the making."

"How do you know?"

His dad smirked and poked his head. "Because.... I can see the future."

Strip opened his eyes as he listened to the debrief. He nodded a bit. Eventually the meeting ended. Strip stayed seated in there as everyone left.

He watched as Lynda came in with a box. He sat up straight as she placed it in front of him. "Here's your helmet." She said with a smirk.

He smirked a bit and opened it. He pulled it out. It had a crown on the back, and tallies for the amount of races he's won. "Oh yes..." he said as he ran his hand over it.

Lynda had a look of pride of her face. He looked at her. "How's my queen?"

"I am well... how's my King?" She said with a soft smile.

"Nervous. But he'll be alright." He said as he looked at her. He put his helmet down.

She reached over and held his hand. "Strip..."

"Yes, Sunshine?" He squeezed her hand. She just kissed his cheek. "I'm proud of you."  A small smile crept across his face.

"Thank you for sticking by me, and being proud of me." He said calmly. He heard his crew chief calling him. She heard him too and just nodded. She carefully picked up his helmet and put it on his head.

He pulled it down and secured it.

The two walked outside. He was about to get into the car when Lynda grabbed his arm. He turned and looked at her. "Give em hell!" She yelled over the car.

He stared at her and nodded. He lowered his visor. She kissed his helmet and let him go. He jumped into the car and was getting strapped in.

The race was tough. Strip was fighting chick for the front. He couldn't get past him for a little bit.

Suddenly, both Strip and Chick had to pit. "Come pit kid." Strips crew chief said.

Strip and Chick pulled into the pit lane. The tires got changed and then they raced out. Strip was staying calm. He was not going to jump this.

He stayed behind Chick. The gap was closing and he decided to put the pressure on Chick.

Chick felt the pressure. It was killing him. He pushed and defended. "I am not letting you get this title..." he mumbled under his breath.

The battle went on for 20 more laps. Suddenly, Strip got a break and dove into the inside, pulling beside Chick. They were on the final lap.

Chick, jumped the gun, and over corrected. He ended up hitting the wall ever slightly and lost the lead.

Strip raced forward and crossed the line with the checkered flag.

The crowd went wild. He purposefully drove into the grass and did doughnuts. He did it.

He parked in the winners circle. He stepped out and stood on top of this car. He raised one finger to the sky.

Number One

He motioned, pretending to put a crown on his head.

The crowd went wild, blue covered the stadium as he raised his arms. He was a champion who bled blue.

He pulled his helmet off and raised it to the sky. He was the king.

He stood on the podium. Unmoved, unfaltering, and unwavering. He cemented his place in the history books. He had nothing else to prove.

He looked at the group of people watching him. His hair stuck to his face, sweat dripped down his face as he was handed his piston cup.

He raised it to the sky.

Long live the king.

He ignored the interviewers (respectfully). He looked for his family. He suddenly was tackled. He felt arms wrap around him.

"Lynda." He immediately wrapped his arms around her. He held her close as she sniffled. "I'm so proud of you." She said tearfully.

He pulled from the hug and was about to say something when she kissed him. He kissed her back as cameras flashed all around them. But it felt it was just him and her.

He broke the kiss slightly. "Thank you."

"I didn't do a damn thing, Rookie." She said with a smirk. He was about to say something when his daughters hugged him and Tex raised Strips trophy to the sky.

"That's my son!" Tex yelled. He yelled it for everyone to hear.

"Congrats dad!" The girls said. He just hugged the girls tightly. He pulled Tex and Lynda into the hug.

"Thank you guys... thank you." He teared up.

"Thank you."