Page 122 of Trading Paint
Even though I was battling it out in the Busch series and I’d just signed with Simplex for next year in the Cup series as well, I still showed up at those bullring tracks when I could for one simple reason, okay well two—I loved to race and seat time. I brought my helmet wherever I went. You race your best when you’re prepared and ready.
I was.
Being back around sprint cars was exactly what I needed. Tyler, Ryder and Justin were out there. It was the first time I’d seen Ryder racing since his accident. You could tell he still had some setbacks and walked with a limp but he didgood.
We hugged when I saw him.
“Look at you big man!” Ryder said with a bright smile sweeping his golden brown hair from his eyes.“NASCAR driver now, huh?”
“Yeah, so they say.”
“They say? I saw you’ve won a few races.”
“It’s just luck.” I shrugged. “How are you feeling these days?”
“Oh you know...good. I walk with a limp now but other than that, back to normal.”
Justin pushed against him as we walked toward the pit bleachers for the drivers meeting. “It’s good to see you back out here kid.”
“Who you talking to?”Ryder asked looking between Justin and me.
“Both of you actually,” We filed into the bleachers together. I noticed my dad walking toward us now with Bucky and Shey. “I’m lonely out here these days.”
“Hey!” Tyler punched his shoulder.
“I’m justsayin’...we all used to race together. This kid goes and gets hurt and this one...” he gestured to me with a nod. “Goes and gets himself a NASCAR gig.” Justin threw his arm around Tyler. “It’s just you and me Ty.”
Jimi walked up right about then as we were all laughing.
“Hey Jameson, some girl is looking for you.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Who?”I glanced down at my cell phone that vibrated. Sway sent me a text.
Good luck tonight.
“Uh...I think she said her name was Nikki or Natalie...or something like that. I don’t know.” He sat down next to Ryder.“Howyafeeling?”
“Pretty good,” Ryder nodded. “These assholes like to make fun of my limp but yeah...I’m feeling good.”
“I walk with a limp too.” Dad replied.
“That’scauseyou’re old.” I added sending a text to Sway.
I need the luck. Thanks.
It felt good racing sprints again and I was pleased to see I was able to pull off another win. It was nice to know I hadn’t lost the ability to race open wheel but it was a gratifying feeling knowing I could battle it out in the Busch series each week and then jump back into open wheel and compete.
I ended up dodging whoever that Nikki or Natalie pit lizard was and for good measure, I left as soon as the hauler was loaded so I didn’t have a chance at meeting up with her. This was happening way too often.
After what transpired with the nurse in Las Vegas, I swore off women.
I was being paid to race—not fuck around.
I saw the way other drivers were looking at me and I didn’t want to be that guy. So I focused on what I did best, racing. If I wanted to run with those cup guys next year and compete for a title, I’d need to up my game. No more of this getting a feel for things and if I won; evenbetter. This needed be something where I let Simplex, my dad, and my uncle, know that I was the right driver for this team.
We spoke habitually about the plans for next season. It was decided around May that we would move to the Winston Cup Series and add another car to the team.
In August, dad and Randy approached Bobby Cole as his contract with Durham Motorsports was ending. Having Bobby as a teammate was exactly what I needed. He was a patient, methodical driver and let’s face it, I wasn’t. It would be good for someone like me to learn from Bobby.
