Unchartered Waters ✅

Chapter 84: ABR's Strong Performance

Saturday, January 15 – Tulsa Expo Raceway

Chase makes his way to the top of the turn, taking a deep breath as he watches the first C-main roll onto to the track. Seeing Alex start at the front, he knew he just needed to put together a solid run and he'd be moving forward into the next event.

"Hey, are you okay?" Chase hears, catching his attention as he glances to the left. He simply nods his head in response.

It wasn't the only comment he heard standing there, with others asking how he was, offering their thoughts on his wild ride, and glad to see that he was okay. However, it all went over his head as all that mattered was the No. 55 Midget on-track right now.

Alex started off strong, breaking out to the early advantage. A couple restarts followed, and he dropped back to second, but that was all. He was able to hold his own on the bottom with a healthy advantage, remaining second to the checkered flag.

"Hell yeah!" He lets out, knowing that was certainly going to keep spirits rolling high moving forward.

There wasn't much downtime that followed, in knowing the first B-main on-track would feature a couple contenders that caught Chase's attention. Considering ll the helpful advice and conversations over the past month, it would be nice to see Brad Sweet experience some success. Unfortunately, it didn't start out strongly with him spinning on Lap 9, one spot out of a transfer position.

The spin wasn't the only thing on Chase's mind, though, as he focused on the familiar No. 55 in hopes Alex would keep the good times rolling. Although he made some moves early, he was unable to do so in the second half with the top line not coming as warranted. An 11th for him, and a 15th for Brad were certainly not the warranted results.

"I'm happy," Alex states as he makes his way up to the top ramp as quickly as he can afterwards, standing alongside Chase. He wanted to sneak up with arms wrapped around, but knew there was way too many eyes to do that without causing something obvious. "I just wanted to make the C and I accomplished that. To be amongst the top guys in the B, and all hope only lost due to unfavorable track conditions – not bad for a guy that does this once a year."

"I was impressed by your driving – for the record," Chase offers, with a wink as Alex just smiles back in response. "Now let's hope the boys accomplish the job for the boss."

"I have confidence based on where they're starting. CJ knows what he's doing - he'll be fine." Chase couldn't argue with that, in seeing CJ starting on the pole following his third on prelim qualifying night. Knowing Jake started in fifth not many spots behind him only increased the faith in what could transpire here shortly.

The race takes the green flag, with CJ breaking out to the early advantage. However, it didn't last with him dropping back to second in the early stages. Alex took a couple deep breathes, knowing seventh or better was all they needed. It was why he was hoping Jake kept pushing, only one spot out of transferring.

"Kaylee fucking Bryson!" Alex lets out in watching Kaylee tear through the field, using the high line to make her move towards the front, including getting by CJ in the process.

"Fuck she can drive," Chase comments, to which Alex couldn't help but nod his head in response. He had heard a lot of praise for her, but was certainly very impressed by the performance she was putting together.

It seemed everything would go smoothly – solid top-five for CJ, Jake barely making it as he battled for one of the final transfer spots – until the caution flew with three laps to go for Kasey Kahne going around.

"And now shit will hit the fan," Alex comments, the nerves obviously getting to him as he began pacing slightly. Chase couldn't help but chuckle in watching him, though also loved seeing the passion that he had.