The season was nearly over, only two weeks left until the Dinoco 400. Strip had a good shot at winning the championship again that year, and everyone knew it.
It wasn't just because he was good at racing. It was partly that, but also because the field of experienced racers had thinned dramatically over the last few months. There had been a major wreck at nearly every race, and many of the veterans were unable to finish the season due to extensive repairs. Their sponsors had been forced to bring in temporary replacements. These younger, less skilled cars weren't much of a threat to Strip and his fellow seasoned racers, but they did change the field dynamics.
After he'd caused that first wreck that placed him second, Chick discovered that racing dirty played in his favor. The Buick turned out to be one of the faster new kids, and didn't let anything or anyone slow him down. If there wasn't room for him to pass another racer, he'd make room. If there was someone in his way, they weren't there for long. He'd independently dispatched more intentional violence on the track in the past year than anyone else had in an entire career – even Sammy.
The main difference between Hicks and Sammy was that Chick wasn't likable off the track. No one seemed to want to hang around him, as he seemed to do nothing but elevate himself and talk down to others. The media loved his confident, arrogant attitude, and that only reinforced the things his fellow racers had grown to dislike.
As the season drew to a close, the Piston Cup circuit brought the racers and their teams to Georgia. The competition was hotter than ever with only two races before the championship. Everyone that stood the slightest chance at winning pushed their way forward, trying to rack up as many points as possible. Though Hicks hadn't placed particularly well throughout the season, he'd managed to bully his way to the front of the field early on. The other racers seemed hesitant to come near him, fearing another trip to the clinic.
Strip had the Grand National in his sights with only twenty laps to go. He'd never directly interacted with the kid, but maybe he needed to, if for nothing else than to at least try and knock some sense into him. Racing was a competitive sport, but not one that begged violence. He'd watched a lot of his friends get hurt that year.
Catching up to Hicks wasn't a problem. He wasn't that fast, but Strip knew he had to be careful getting around him or else he'd be pushed into the wall or knocked off the track like so many others. Twenty laps gave him time though, and with only one other car in front of the rookie, he didn't need to hurry. He hung back for a moment and analyzed his options.
"Hey man," Tori pulled up next to Strip as they came out of turn four. "I wouldn't normally suggest teamin' up like this, but we need to teach this kid a lesson. I'm tired of watchin' everyone else crash out. You know, he can't get us both at the same time."
"You have a plan?" Strip asked.
"He's using the middle groove. We can both get around him at the same time. I'll go high if you go low next straightaway." Tori offered. "He won't know what to do."
"Worth a shot." Strip agreed.
Coming out of turn two, Hicks drifted towards the middle of the track, giving the older racers the opportunity they were looking for. They gained on him quickly. As they passed him, Chick panicked. He had a real chance at winning that race, but if they both got past him, that chance would be gone.
Going into turn three, Strip stayed low, close to the line to pull away from the Buick. It earned him the lead he wanted, but Tori was still caught in the outside. Chick saw his chance and took it. He pushed Tori's rear end out from under him, sending him spinning towards the inside.
The rest of the field came up on them quickly, with Tori sideways in the middle of the track. He took a hard hit in his left side from another racer. The pileup escalated from there.
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Conflict
FanfictionIn this AU, the Detroit "Big Three" manufacturers have entered into a war to prove once and for all who's the best, and no one can stop them. Our favorite Piston Cup racers may not be what they seem... This fic is a trilogy. Part 1 takes place in th...