One Dream, One Comeback

Overton's 225

"Welcome to Chicagoland for the Overton's 225. At Gateway, there were many storylines that happened. The main two involving Jacob Rose. The first one is that he put the bumper to the back of Harrison Burton to steal a win from his own teammate. The other one is what he stated in Victory Lane. He's the first dominate driver that is open about his sexuality. For this race, he'll have his boyfriend atop the pit box for the first time this season. To make things better for him. He takes pole setting a track record for the Truck Series. He's running a throwback to his owner this week. Microsoft is the primary sponsor and decided to run this scheme for a few races. On Rose's outside is Kyle Busch. He stated that he'll keep Jacob Rose and said if anyone were to pass on him due to his sexuality then they need help and should grow up. Completing the KBM top 3, Noah Gragson. He stated that he's going to JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series next season. The pace truck come round turn number 4 ending the first pace lap."

"Hey pass the headset to Nick," Rose tells his crew chief "I need to talk to him a bit before the race."

His crew chief passes it to Nick

"Hey," Jacob says to Nick "If the media storms the pit box to talk to you. Tell them to back off. You're here for the race. Not the media's attention."

"Alright," Nick says

"I love you, and I'll see you after the race."

"I love you too."

Jacob lowers his visor and looks in his mirror. There are 30 trucks behind him all wanting a piece at him, especially the race victory. 

"Out of turn 4, the pace truck dives down pit road and Jacob Rose will lead the field down into turn 1! Noah Gragson hops to the middle as the 51,46 and, 18 will go three wide down the back straightaway! Rose holds the bottom and will narrowly lead lap 1. 4th place is a battle between Justin Haley and Todd Gilliland. Todd clears Justin making a KBM 1-2-3-4! Rose leads the charge followed by Busch, Gragson and, Gilliland! Kyle peeks to the outside but Rose will slide up and shut the door! Gilliland takes the bottom from Gragson and will take 3rd! 5 laps in and there is still 120 laps to go! Rose drops to the bottom blocking Gilliland as he takes 2nd away from his boss Kyle Busch! Jacob Rose's hands are calmly defending from his teammate in the 4 truck!"

Rose's thoughts: "Oh no, no, no, no, no, no. My truck isn't hooking up like Todd's."

"Jacob hops to the top side right against the wall his truck hooks up well but I don't think there's enough rubber up top to do anything. He stays right against the wall and holds the lead! Rose is now pulling away while laying down the rubber that could become crucial in the future! Rose holds his line through all turns. Jacob has pulled half a second ahead of his teammate Gilliland. Rose is clear but is still on the high side."

"Ok mate, you are clear of Todd. Noah and Kyle are closing in on him. "

"10-4, just keep me home free and we will win another race." 

"Rose tags the wall exiting turn 2!"

"...."
"...."

"Jacob are you alright?"

"Words do not describe how mad I am."

"Just calm down, the truck is still fine."

".... Alright, I guess."

"Look, I know you're mad. But the truck is still fast. You're still faster than Todd."

"Yes, but this could cost us later. When more rubber is laid down, the truck could start to mess up."

"Alright, we'll work around it. We can keep the truck at the high speed."

"Alright, alright."

"Rose out of turn 2 snaps loose and spins down the backstretch! He tags the inside wall slightly hard!"

"Damnit! It's killed, guys."

"Just bring it back."

"The engine stalled, it's fully killed. Damnit, guys, I'm sorry."

"It's fine, just climb out and we'll discuss it in the garage."

"Tell Nick I'm fine. Helluva run for us until this."

"Alright."

"A disappointed Jacob Rose climbs out of his mangled #51 Microsoft Toyota. He leaves his helmet on, likely trying to hide his disappointed and sad look. 90 laps to go and his teammate Todd Gilliland leads."

Jacob climbs into the back of the ambulance and goes to the infield care center. On the way there he takes his helmet off. His face shows how he feels, his natural smile is gone and his eyes look defeated mixed with anger. The thought that stick with him is "what if you hit the wall harder, a different angle... what if you got injured." He starts to panic but calms down knowing that Nick would be waiting for him at the Care Center. The ambulance stops and Rose is let out of the back. He walks in and goes through the typical procedure, he passes everything and is let out.

"Out comes the driver of the 51 truck Jacob Rose. So Jacob, what happened?"

"The truck got loose, plain and simple. It was a big mental error on my part on the exit and the truck didn't grip up. I was hoping to bounce off the outside wall. Sure the truck would be a lot slower. But I could still gain more points. I got it slowed down somewhat, but not enough."

"We heard radio from you afterward sounding disappointed, does this crash dampen any type of energy from you?"

"Oh for sure, by the next race I will feel better. But I came here with high hopes and crashing out from the lead isn't fun. If anything it makes the ride back to North Carolina worse. We have a large break in between here and Kentucky, I'm gonna go back to some karting tracks that got me started. If anything will raise my spirits, it's racing and spending time with Nick."

Jacob walks off and heads to his car. He's ready to leave and go to Indy. He fires up the car and waits until Nick gets in.

"We're going back to Indy," Jacob says "We both need time back in the city that started it all for us."

Jacob drives out of Chicagoland and starts the 4 hour trip to Indy

(Well, The time in Indy is going to be saved for the next chapter. It's going to be a fun, but a slightly emotional chapter as I have a lot of emotions attached to this city. Anyways this is the end of the chapter. 1122 words.)