A Journey of One

Daytona Aftermath

Hey there. This is something I came with this passed week so I hope you enjoy it. Still the same OC as the last one. This takes place during the 2020 Daytona 500 crash. I know, kinda of a hard one to write.

Oh god. OH GOD! WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!

I can't even comprehend what just happened. I'm just trying to finish the race, and next thing I knew, I was dodging a flying car. Wait, was that Newman? I just froze at that moment. Oh boy, this is worse than the one we had before. Technically, all Daytona crashes are bad.

"John, what's going?" I ask. We might not interact very often, but he is still a great racer.

"He hasn't come out of the car yet." What?!

"That was bad. I saw him fly through the air." We have had Daytona crashes before, but this was bad.

"They're still trying to get him out. Denny is doing his burnouts." My spotter, Leo, mentions. Burnouts seriously?! I didn't think Denny could stoop that low.

"That's just disrespectful right there. What at (Bleep)!" Yeah, I think we're making Radioactive this week.

The team ended up finishing 10th tonight. Not bad for all things given. I parked the car and quickly got out, looking around to see the reply on the big screen. Just watching it made me feel funny. Like I was there in the car. Ryan was trying to give Newman a push to go for the win, but at that moment, everything went wrong, and Denny took the victory.

I can't imagine what Ryan is feeling right now. Possibly upset but, most importantly, guilt. My PR comes up to me, handing me a towel and my hat.

"I think you should go talk to him. He is messed up." She says.

"That's my plan. After his interview, I'll go." I reply. I wait for his interview to finish, and just listening to it breaks my heart. You can hear how upset he is, thinking that everything is his fault. He sounded like he was about to burst out crying from regret. I should know that feeling. Having a camera in your face while you're trying to compose yourself is not fun. At that moment, you are forced to put on a persona. Like everything is okay when all you want to do is punch something.

As I was walking to him, his crew chief ran up to me. "Hunter, he needs you." He says, in haste. All I do is nod and slowly approach him. He was leaning on the top of his car, running his hands through his hair. The negative energy was radiating off of him.

"Hey. Are you okay?" I asked nicely. He doesn't answer right away, trying to catch his breath.

"I don't even know right now." His voice was raspy. "I can't believe this is happening." Ryan places his head on his forearms.

"It's not your fault, Ry. Please know that." I place my hand on his arm, rubbing it slightly.

"I try to do one good thing, and it all goes south. What the hell is wrong with me?" He pleads. He sounds like he is about to lose it, and it will be okay if he does.

"Hey, don't think like that for a second. It's not your fault. I know that people are going to keep saying that, but it's true." I have my left hand over his shoulders and my right hand rubbing his arm for max comfort. "You wouldn't do that if you weren't trying to help, which you were. I know things seem bad now, but all we do is pray for Newman and move on, okay?"

"You don't get it, Hunt." He snarks. Poor choice of words Ry.

"Yes, I do. I went through the same thing at the end of last season, and it crushed me. But you know who was there for me? You were. And you didn't let go." I say, raising my voice a bit. "I'm not gonna let you go through the same thing thinking in that way." He was cracking at this point, knowing that I was right.