Page 145 of Trading Paint
“Son, I used to dip my britches in starch to keep fromcatchin’ on fire...things have advanced since my day.” He sighed and smiled at me. “We didn’t see the dangers of what we were doing, until it was too late.”
I knew what he meant by that and that was his way of telling me to be safe. In all the years I’d known him, he’d never said anything nice to me. I wasn’t sure how to react.
Much likeuncleRandy, my grandpa is only remotely approachable when he’s drinking, but otherwise, he’s a cold-hearted prick but he was also my grandpa and just like any other Riley, hotheaded.
“Well doggoned Jay, I knew you’d be here someday.”
“Thanks grandpa.” I signed a few autographs from some fans who approached me.
Grandpa lost interest with driver introductions and ditched me for my Nana who showed up as well. I wasn’t nervous until I became aware that my entire family had shown up.
Bobby must have sensed this and nudged my shoulder standing there waiting to be introduced.“You all right kid?”
“Yeah,” I nodded looking down. “I’m fine.”
Bobby had figured me out and knew when I was quiet—I didn’t want to be bothered so he made small talk with Tate and Austin standing behind us in line.
I only wished the reporters knew how to figure this out too.
All the reporters seemed to ask the same question, “Can you win?”
I don’t think of it as can I win because the answer will always be yes. Obviously, I could win—I have many times. Their questions should be, “Could I win the Daytona 500?”
And even then, my answer would be yes.
Watching all the pre-race activities going on around us, I found it entertaining that my first cup race was the Daytona 500 because it was the biggest event NASCAR has.
It’s like the Super Bowl but bigger.
Glancing around, I saw Darrin glaring in my direction. Rolling my eyes, I looked away. He still wasn’t happy about my frivolous meeting with Mariah, his girlfriend.
She had approached my car about an hour ago before I found Sway. I looked away but she got right in my face and pushed her tits against my chest and said, “I’m Mariah,” her hand sliding down my arm caused me to flinch back at the unwanted contact. “You should find me after the race.”
“I don’t think so.” I had replied immediately.
“Oh come on, Darrin will never know.”
I removed her arm from my shoulder and handed the autograph back to the fan standing in front of me. “I said no.” I told her sternly and walked away.
Darrin caught me before I made it too far.
“What was that about?” his tone was sharp and accusing.
“What?”
“Don’twhatme you little shit.” He snapped stepping closer. “Stay away from Mariah.”
“Mariah is it...?” I arched my eyebrow gesturing toward her with a tilt of my head. “...was all over my dick back there. You should tell her to stay away from me,” I snapped at him continuing to walk away.
“See you on the track, Riley.” He taunted after me.
“Fuck you,” was my response.
That rivalry racing USAC hadn’t diminished.
Anytime you put forty-three drivers together some are going to rub you the wrong way and others become your guide. With Darrin, I guess with me implying his girl was on my dick, he wasn’t going to be my guide.
Andy Crockett, another rookie driver, rode around the track with me in a Ford truck after being introduced. After a few minutes of silence, I struck up conversation with him.
