Blinding Lights

CP IV: Bittersweet Symphony

"So," Ella glanced over the electronic gauges one last time, "are we ready to pick up where we left off yesterday?"

Rick chuckled from the pit box, "I think so. Once we get this pit stop completed I think that will be when the real fun begins. How's the view up there, Tyler?"

"It's a splendid day for racing. Track looks pristine. The rain couldn't wash away Noah's burn out from Saturday." Tyler replied.

"Now that's badass," Ella chirped as pit road opened, "If I win I might place mine next to his."

Most of the field pulled onto pit road and Summers kept a close eye on the environment around her. She drove into her pit stall and the crew went to work; slapping new tires on and filling the gas tank with fuel. It was a flawless stop and the rookie carefully sped out of the pits while making sure she wasn't getting in anyone's way. The scent of gasoline and burnt tires lingered in the late afternoon air. A good portion of spectators had returned from yesterday's rain out and it seemed like they sensed something crazy was about to happen. They stood up on their feet in anticipation as the field readied for the green to wave.

All of the Toyotas decided to stay in the rear of the field. Their goal was to conserve fuel and to avoid a possible huge wreck caused by the restart of the race. It was a conservative move that Ella hoped would pay off. By how rowdy the field was acting already she was glad to be away from the center of the action. Her teammates commended her for staying focused and keeping the car in one piece so far. She was just glad a wreck had not happened yet.

"We're staying in line with Bell, correct?" She radioed in.

Rick quickly responded back, "Affirmative. We're trying to conserve as much fuel as possible."

"10-4." She fired right back.

As the flag waved she honed in and focused on the task ahead. The field was quite dicey at first and race had taken its first causality in the form of the #24 car. Yet, after the caution for the wreck ended and racing resumed, somehow the field stayed intact and competitive. By the end of the first stage, Ella was itching to climb up to the front as were her teammates.

"Uh," Summers tapped on her steering wheel as the field paced the track for the end of stage caution, "What exactly happened to Byron? He seemed to be doing quite well."

Tyler sighed, "Wrecky Stenhouse. Got too aggressive on the straightaway between 2 and 3. Car hit pretty hard."

"Well," She shook her head in dissatisfaction, "Good to know he hasn't changed since moving teams. I was rooting for Willy B to finish well. Guess that's not going to happen now."

"Sometimes", Rick explained, "it's best to avoid certain drivers during races."

"No shit," She chuckled, "Is it okay for me to start heading up to the front now? Our strategy sort of backfired."

Her crew chief grinned, "Well Summers, I don't see why not, as long as you're using your head and don't wreck half the field out."

"How about a quarter of the field?" She joked.

"Not even." He joked back.

After completing another pit stop for a few minor adjustments, Ella felt confident her car was ready to charge ahead. The second the pace car sped down onto pit road and the green flag was waved she worked hard to climb through the field. Things before the field had settled in had gotten quite dicey a couple of times, but somehow no one wrecked. Her #20 Toyota Camry was handling overall great since the adjustments were made. As the sun set hopefully the car would tighten up slightly and would continue to run well. For the time being, the rookie was cruising as Tyler directed her where to go.