Page 196 of The Champion
I’d be lying if I didn’t say that every time I boarded aplane I didn’t think of it.
Wes had been flying around the world for over thirtyyears. To me, this was just an accident. There was no sugar coating it orblaming, it was an accident.
26.Panhard Bar – Jameson
Panhard Bar – Alateral bar that keeps the rear tires centered within the body. It connects thecar on one side and the rear axle on the other. This can also be called thetrack bar.
Over the years, I’d like to think I’d grown just as muchas this sport. It was time to mend with Paul. It wasn’t fair being teammatesnow to have that sort of hostility. With everything that had happened in oursport over the last few months in our sport with the plane crash, I couldn’thave a racing relationship like this with Paul.
Turns out, my dad took my recommendations despite myarguments with Paul over the years and hired him as the third driver forRiley-Simplex Racing. Bobby transferred to another team this year while PaulLeighty took his position.
“I don’t say this very often so believe me when I say it...I’m sorry.” I said to Paul one night afterthe All-Star race in June of our 2020 season.
Paul laughed walking with me to our cars. On races likethis, we just drove to Charlotte since it was such a short drive back toMooresville.
“I wish I recorded that.”
“Fuck you,” I laughed. “you’re never getting another one.Ask Kyle. I think I’ve said it to him one time.”
Paul nodded but remained smiling.
“I’ve never met someone like you before Jameson.” He saidconversationally.
“I assume that’s a good thing?”
He snorted. “It can be when I’m on your good side. I willsay this...” he paused closing the trunkof his car after tossing his bag in it. Leaning against the bumper he lookedpast me toward the track. “You’re one of the only drivers I know inanydivision that knows exactly when to turn on the aggression and when to turn itoff.”
I thought about his statement for a minute, decided itwas actually true and smiled. “It didn’t come without practice.” I said with astoic seriousness that even Paul remained focused on.
Every driver who was in the series around 2003 remembersthe problems with Darrin and me. They also remember I nearly walked away thatseason because of him.
If it hadn’t been for Sway, I would have.
When I got home that night, Sway was waiting for me,receptive as always and welcomed me in ways I found extremely satisfying.
The next morning though, she made me do something I’dhoped I would never had to do as a father.
The sex talk.
“Jameson, I’m serious, you need to talk to Axel aboutit.”
It wasn’t a request either. She had basicallytoldme I was doing this.
“I don’t think so...itcan wait. They’re only sixteen. I doubt they’re ready forthat.”
Sway slapped me. “Are you a fucking idiot?”
I glared but then looked back to my coffee cup.
“No, I just don’t think they’re doing it.”
That was a lie. I walked in on them on more than oneoccasion with their hands in places they shouldn’t be and in one instance withof Lily straddling him on his bed. All I could say was that at least theirclothes were still on.
“And what would make you think that?” she challengedplacing her hands on her hips. “I lost mine at sixteen.”
“I just don’t.” I shrugged. “And if you want me to remainin a good mood the rest of the evening, don’t bring up Dylan Grady again.” Iwarned.
“You’re cute when you’re jealous.” She laughed.
