Unchartered Waters ✅

Chapter 108: Desert Practice

Saturday, March 12 – Phoenix Raceway

Chase walks up behind Alex, laying his head on his shoulder as he looks at the screen ahead of him. He knew the exact layout, having just done the same with Alan following the brief practice session they were allowed. They had gone through studying certain points, comparing to those who were fast, discussing the changes ahead of qualifying.

"What are you doing?" Chase questions, surprised Alex hadn't taken his eyes off the charts before him, followed by reviewing the video. It wasn't any day someone walked up behind you and this.

"Trying to find a way to make the car faster," Alex muses as he flips to another page, letting out a sigh. It didn't matter how many times he reviewed everything, he couldn't find one glaring thing that he'd change. "Do you care to share your secrets so I can be the hero to my hometown crowd?"

"Pretty sure our teammates would be better to ask." Alex lets out a sigh, seeing both William and Kyle in the top-five. Meanwhile, Chase was just inside the top-10 while Alex was back down in 19th. "Look at it this way – Ryan and I showed all the speed last weekend in Vegas, but it was you who wound up celebrating in victory lane. It seems you and Greg figure it out when it matters, and they don't pay shit on Saturdays."

"Old car, new car, I have always struggled here, though. It doesn't matter what I do..." Chase nods his head, remembering the discussion last year as Kyle and him dominated the day. He ten flips through the screens himself, before glancing at Alex.

"Look at yours..." He then pulls up his last run, centering around one of the early laps as he pulls it up alongside Alex's. "Look at my run. You're driving into one too hard as you just need to let it flow, ease in and off. Then you can pull the tough dive into three as it's sharper."

"So that's what you want me to do later today?" Chase nods his head as Alex looks at it once again, watching the accompanying video to go with the throttle trace. "Alright, I'll give it a chance because it's not like I have a whole damn lot to lose."

"You could wreck the car, but we know the pups wouldn't like that." Alex immediately looks over hurt, surprised that was even a thought for them to be having right now.

"Should you both be that close in public?" A voice chimes in, as Alex and Chase recognize it immediately – the only other person welcomed that close who knew the real truth in Kyle Larson.

It said enough, with Chase immediately moving from where he was standing, as Alex glanced around to see if anybody was watching. he could already see the images posted, theories developed, and crazy fan stories written.

"I thought you would've know-" Kyle goes to continue as Chase immediately looks towards him, reminders of last week coming back to him. They also had a bit of contact here back in November, which arguably helped their teammate.

"Aren't we supposed to talking out what happened?" Chase cuts him off, knowing the other crew guys closing on their location did not need to hear anymore teasing. It was enough they had let some of those comments fly before the crew chiefs. If anybody was going to figure it out, that'd be where to start.

"I thought we talked that over enough when I stole Alex's cookies." Alex rolls his eyes, still disgruntled about that. At least he got his share, thanks to some sharing by others around the table. "Fuck, I thought we were cool."

"We are cool because I told you – I get what you were saying with the runs and figuring out timing with Tyler, but advised you to do your own mirror driving better. I also explained that was a desperate move partially knowing time of the race, but should've remembered Rick's theory." Chase then takes a deep breath, holding out his hand, which Kyle simply shakes back in response. "Just watch the amount of random comments, okay? You are only one of a couple that know what's going on, and we wouldn't want to get that out further."

"I understand – and I told you when I found out that I respect you both. I don't care what you both do behind closed doors, as it's great to see ya'll happy." Kyle then glances down pit road towards where Denny stood in his stall. "Just don't piss off smarty pants down there this season as you know who also knows the truth."

"Pretty sure she knows where she stands already." Alex places a hand on Chase's shoulder, knowing the feelings that were still there in regards to Kaitlyn's span of events, and the fact she was able to weasel her way out of the charges. "If she comes near me, she will be kicked out of the pits – just like that."

"So you got a restraining order against her?" Chase nods his head as Kyle looks between the two teammates. "That's probably advised as she seems a little nuts."

"That's just the beginning," Alex comments, earning a dirty glance from Chase as he wasn't wanting to discuss any details beyond the general knowledge everybody had. it wasn't like he was proud and wanting to promote what happened.

"Kyle!" Cliff then calls, catching Kyle's attention as he offers a wave before leaving the lovebirds alone standing in Alex's pit together.

"You should've got him to share his secret to success..." Chase chuckles, though wasn't about to argue against the idea as he would certainly love to have some extra speed.