"You have nothing to worry about. You have one of the best pit crews in the series, and one hell of a car." Ryan encourages. Today was Emma Turner's first Xfinity race for Blaney Motorsports, a very highly anticipated debut.
"And we just expect you to try your best. We know this is a huge transition for you, so we aren't expecting a trophy from you, but if it happens that would be awesome." Chase adds. I set down plates by the table preparing to serve breakfast. They finish up their meeting then Emma leaves to get ready for her big day.
"It's open," I called out. The door swings open, Lennox and the kids come walking into the motor home. "Hi guys, just in time breakfast is ready." I smiled.
"Hey sis, before we start Lennox and I would like to announce something," Chase says standing up next to Lennox. "We wanted you guys to be the first to know-" Chase's voice trails off.
"We're expecting." Lennox grins.
"Ah! Congratulations you guys!" I screeched hugging them both. Ryan and I both make eye contact, knowing pretty soon we would announce our baby this coming Monday. "I cannot wait."
@lennoxelliott: Chase & I would like to announce we're expecting baby Elliott #4 ❤️
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"Green flag is waving." Michael, Emma's crew chief, says. Ryan, Chase, and I stand behind the pit box looking at the monitor.
"Pretty impressive restart," I commented.
"Yeah, she's already up three spots and they haven't gotten to the backstretch," Chase adds. Emma continued to pick up spots and get to the leaders in no time. "Dude we need to sign her, she's too good," Chase says impressed.
"Chase, we have a full team already," Ryan says.
"Not necessarily." Chase's voice trails off. "Haas called and said they were looking to go back to a four-car team next season. They expressed great interest in Austin."
"So, if we drop Austin then we get Emma. It seems like a pretty good deal to me. What do you think sweetheart?" Ryan asks turning to me.
"Why not? We all know what Austin is capable of, and I think he's more than ready for the Cup series next year." I replied as the caution came out.
Once the race got back to green, it was pretty uneventful. The only cautions were because of the stages ending. Emma and the rest of Blaney Motorsports have been in the top ten almost all day long.
||2 Laps To Go||
Everyone in Emma's pit box was holding their breath. The guys on the crew made an amazing adjustment to the car a few laps ago, and she was quickly gaining on the leader. Ryan, Chase, and I watched as Emma caught up to Kyle's bumper coming to one lap to go.
"Ugh come on!" Chase says as Kyle got a run off of turn one. Emma closed upon him again, but Kyle would get a huge run off the turn. It's no surprise that Kyle Busch ended up winning the race, but Emma put on one hell of a fight for that first place position. She surprised a lot of people today and got second place in her first Xfinity race.
"You did amazing out there." I grinned walking up to Emma, as she got out of her car.
"Thanks McKayla, if I had a couple more laps there I think I would've gotten to him."
"Hey, keep your chin up. You'll get him next time no doubt. It may seem impossible to beat him, but many people have done it. And I, especially Ryan, believe you can do it."
||Sunday- Cup Race||
"Please rise and remove your hats as our National Honor Guard presents our nation's colors. Please remain standing as Pastor Malcolm Richards has today's invocation."
"Let us pray. Dear gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for a beautiful day here in Phoenix. Father, we ask you to please be with the drivers and their teams as they compete here today. And please be with the men and women overseas fighting for our freedom. But overall please come again soon. In your name, amen."
"Please remain standing as local recording artist David Lings sings our national anthem." During this time Ryan wraps his left arm around my waist, pulling me closer towards him. The national anthem ends, and the family gathers around for one last family prayer.
"Lord, thank you for this beautiful day here in Phoenix you've blessed us with. Please be with Ryan as he has a long race ahead of him. We ask you to please bless Ryan and his crew with your strength. With obstacles and ever-present danger everywhere, please hold Ryan safely in your arms. And Lord bless the competition, the crews, the fans, and all the friends and family here today. In your name amen." I prayed.
"Amen," Ryan says. "Thank you, sweetheart. I love you."
"I love you too. Be safe." I tell him as he slipped into his car. Cars rolled off pit road as the kids and I walked over to Ryan's pit box.
||End of Stage 1||
"Joey Logano win barely win stage one over teammate Ryan Blaney, who will come in second."
I clapped for Joey and Ryan. It was yet another stage win for Team Penske. Penske has been dominating lately, fast cars all around the three of them. I looked over at the 22 pit box and gave Brittany a thumbs up.
||End of Stage 2||
"Bubba Wallace Jr. will win his second stage of the season!"
||End of Race||
"UNBELIEVABLE! RYAN BLANEY WILL WIN AT PHOENIX! ANOTHER PENSKE ONE, TWO, THREE FINISH!"
I jumped up and cheered and so did the kids. The kids climbed down from the pit box and ran over to victory lane.
"Ryan Blaney has had a flawless season so far, and another Phoenix win under your belt." The interviewer says as Ryan jumps off his car. "What is it like winning yet another race here at Phoenix?"
"Honestly? Absolutely amazing. This track has been nothing up good to me, and I enjoy racing here a lot. My guys did an awesome job today in the pits. Man, this is really unbelievable." Ryan replies. "And of course I have to thank my wife and my kids. They're my biggest fans, and I don't know where I'd be without them."
