Page 58 of The Champion
I had a feeling they didn’t want to tell anyone why theywere fighting but I was beginning to think it might actually be somethingserious by the way she was crying.
“What the fuck is going on between you two?” I askedAiden once we got off the plane and loaded our bags into the waitingExpedition.
“You should talk to her about that...she’s made it pretty fucking evident I have no say in any ofthis.” He grumbled walking away from me.
Besides the time in Eldora last year when another spottergot in Aiden’s face from something I did on the track, I’d never seen Aidenworked up or angry. Now he actually resembled me.
I just blew it off. I had way too much on my mind withthe race to be trying to solve other people’s problems.
Once we were at the track the reporters and fans had somesort of obsession with Sway and Axel, wanting pictures of all of us. I didn’tmind but I also didn’t want Axel in the spotlight so soon. This newfound fascinationleft Sway and Axel camping out in the motor coach most of the weekend with Van.
“How’s the car today?”
“It’s really fast.” I smiled. “Yesterday we had the carin race trim so we’ll see. It’s not just having a fast car...it’s tires, it’s fuel and more importantly,position on the track.” I told the reporter.
I enjoyed racing in Vegas as I loved the 1.5 mile tracks.With the asphalt surface and twenty degree banking it made for some excitingracing. I also loved the fact they had a dirt track there.
Who wouldn’t?
“Now Justin West drove your car last weekend and pulledoff a win for you in Rockingham. Do you think Justin has what it takes to makeit in the cup series full-time?”
“Without a doubt I do...butthat’s not what Justin’s interested in. He’s a sprint car guy. If he wasn’t—Iknow Jimi would be hiring another driver by now. Both Justin and Tyler areincredibly talented drivers.”
“Midway through last season everything seemed to take aturn for the worst after your wreck. Was there ever a point where you just saidthis may not be the season for me?” Neil, a reporter with SPEED asked me whileI stood next to my car before the race.
“Yes and no. I wanted to say it...I felt it but everyone was pushing me to continue on and I’mglad they did. That’s why I was able to come back from it and win. We don’tgive these behind the scenes guys enough credit for everything they do. It wasbecause of them I was able to do it.”
I didn’t want to come out and say who helped me, onlybecause it was none of the media’s business.
“It looks like this season may be a repeat?”
“I don’t know about that but I’m sure gonna try.” I toldhim wrapping my arm around Sway who stood next to me holding Axel.
Neil turned looked at Sway. “You recently lost yourfather. Is it hard being around racing so much, knowing the impact he had onthe racing community?”
Sway smiled softly looking down at Axel. “No...it is what it is. Charlie will always holda special spot in a lot of people’s lives but especially mine. He was more thana father to me—he had to be. He raised me by himself.” Sway said. “He wouldhave wanted us to continue living our lives. That’s all anyone can do.”
I glared at Neil for even bringing up Charlie.
“Well, good luck today Jameson and congratulations on thebaby.”
Watching Sway before the race, smiling at Axel, Icouldn’t believe how well she’d adapted to all this. She just went with theflow of everything. I mean Christ, she’d just lost her father a few weeks backbut here she was, supporting me and being a mother to our son.
“I can’t believe how well you just...go with the flow.” I said to her once Neil left.
“Is that supposed to be dirty?” she asked adjusting herhold on Axel. His eyes peeked over her shoulder peering out at the line ofcars.
“No silly girl.” I laughed kissing the top of her head.“I just...thank you.”
After the National Anthem, Sway left with Axel to go upto the towers where they’d watch the race and I got inside the car.
“You copy Aiden?” I asked when I got my helmet on.
“10-4, loud and clear,”
Checking switches and adjusting my belts, I asked. “Whatabout you Kyle, you copy?”
“Yep, gotcha,”
