Overdrive by Chris Fabry Read Free Book Online Page A

a to-do list from the bulletin board, but today was different. On Mondays, he helped unload the cars from the hauler and reload whatever cars would be used in the next race. NASCAR had taken the engine apart piece by piece in Chicago, so it didn’t get here until late. Tim wondered if anybody had ever held back and takensecond place because they knew they had an illegal engine. He was pretty sure it had happened.
    The team had Mondays off, but some guys came in anyway. Dale clapped Tim on the back and asked what he thought about the race.
    â€œI thought it was great when that Devalon guy hit the wall,” Tim said. “I could watch the replay of that about a hundred times.”
    Dale laughed. “The guys wanted me to tell you what great shape the garage was in when they got here. You must have done some extra work over the weekend.”
    â€œA little,” Tim said.
    The sound of air wrenches filled the place, and Dale pulled Tim into the waiting room, where it was quieter. A lot of the big garages had long hallways with huge windows where tours came through to watch the mechanics work. People wearing their favorite drivers’ names milled through like a museum tour, gawking at the cars. The Maxwell garage didn’t have a gift shop that sold shirts and die-cast cars. In fact, the road back to the garage had only been paved a couple of years earlier when the hauler got stuck in some muddy gravel. It was definitely not in the same league with the big teams, but Dale had proved he could be a little fish and still win a race.
    â€œWe have this weekend off,” Dale said. “Usuallythe family takes a vacation somewhere to relax and get away. But with Jamie at the driving school, it’s different. They’re having a race up there this weekend that’s pretty big for her.”
    â€œI understand,” Tim said. “I can just hang here while you guys go.”
    â€œWell, you’re free to do that if you want, but I kind of need your help.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Tim said.
    â€œEach student is allowed a couple of outside people on her race team. Jamie has to drive a car provided by the school, but the other competitors who aren’t racing join in the pits. She asked if I would be there and wondered if you wanted to join her team.”
    â€œShe asked to have me there or you want me there?”
    â€œBoth,” Dale said. “I suggested it and she was real glad about the idea.”
    Tim shrugged. “Okay.”
    â€œGood. Maybe we can head over there early Saturday and take a look around.”
    â€œIf those other students are trying to win, why wouldn’t they mess up somebody’s pit stop?” Tim said.
    â€œThey’re being watched and graded on every aspect of their performance. Plus, the pits aren’t live. They get a set amount of time to be in there, and then everybody heads back out in the same positions.”
    â€œThat takes the pressure off,” Tim said.
    â€œA little bit. I might spot for her or stay down in the pits. If I decide to stay, you want to spot?”
    â€œI think I could do that.”
    â€œIf you need any tips, you can talk with Scotty. He’s around today.” Dale turned to leave, then looked back. “You hear anything from Tyson?”
    Tim shook his head. “I’ve called a bunch of times. Left a message with Vera two weeks ago, but she was crying. I haven’t heard boo from him.”
    Dale nodded. “Keep trying.”
    Scotty was in his late 30s, about the same height as Tim, with blond hair and a blocklike body. He walked with his arms out at his sides, like he was an Old West gunfighter about to draw on a bad guy. He would have been a great cowboy, but his horse would have wanted him to lose a few pounds.
    Tim had seen Scotty at races over the past couple years when he was traveling. The guy didn’t talk much and seemed focused. From Dale, Tim had learned that Scotty