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Race Day - March 20
“Wakey, wakey, sunshine,” I hear Elle’s voice on the other side of the door. The best thing about an RV is I get the bedroom in the back, and she must stay on the bunks.
“Is it really time to get up?” I ask glancing at my clock.
“Yup. You need to shower and get to the hauler to get into your fire suit. You have a driver/crew chief meeting at nine and then media till about one. Right before you go out for driver introductions.”
I roll over and throw my hands over my eyes. “I’ll be out in a minute,” I yell back. Usually, I am stoked about race days, but today something just doesn’t feel right. It might be nerves, or just my mind playing tricks on me.
I hop out of bed and pull a pair of shorts, t-shirt, and sports bra out of my bag and sneak into the bathroom. The tiny area shouldn’t even qualify as a bathroom, but it does.
I take a quick shower knowing Elle is probably already looking at her watch. That’s what she does. I worry about trivial things, and she worries about me being late.
I dress quickly, throwing my hair into a braid, the same hairstyle I’ve used to race with for years. I pick up the photo of Grams and us by my bed and give it a quick kiss. I know she’ll be watching from home. She always does.
Elle is waiting for me in the sitting area, her phone in her hand already. “Let’s go,” I chirp as I grab my phone and head out of the RV. Elle trails behind as I head for the garage a short distance from the RV.
“You sure you’re okay?” she asks, and I nod.
“I’m fine,” I reply as we reach the hauler. It’s pretty empty as I figured it would be; the crew is down on pit road getting ready for the race.
I pull my fire suit from the closet and start to put it on. I sit down to shimmy it over my legs when Saint walks into the hauler.
“Oh, shit. Sorry. I didn’t know you were in here,” he says turning around and shielding his eyes.
“It’s fine. It’s not like I’m naked. I have my t-shirt and shorts on.” I giggle as he turns back around. I have the fire suit zipped up to my waist. Texas is quite hot at the moment.
“Sorry, it’s just...” he trails off as I bob my head side to side trying to get him to finish or smile, or something.
“What’s wrong with you? You were fine at practice yesterday,” I remark, placing my hands on my hips.
He shakes his head and clears his throat. “I’m fine. Just finishing last minute things.”
“Will you be on top of the pit box this race?” I ask, grabbing my phone and turning to look at him.
“Yeah, I’ll be there,” he replies.
“Good. I’ll feel more comfortable knowing you’re there too,” I confess.
“Something bothering you, Haisley?” he questions.
“Nothing more than usual. Bud just doesn’t give me the good feels. Anyway, better get off to the driver/crew chief meeting. See you later.” I head out of the hauler and meet Elle who is typing away on her phone. “Let’s go.”
***
The morning flies by, and I’m happy to know that the car passed inspection. Also, the meeting went off with minimal uncomfortableness. I’m signing some media cards and taking pictures when I see Drake walk past the pit box. He nods at Bud and continues on as if nothing happened.
I’m not sure if it’s me or just my perpetual anxiety, but that nod seemed more than just a hello. I try to shake the nerves entering my body as I refocus on the kids waiting for pictures. Driver introductions are in fifteen minutes, so I try to hurry up. “Elle?” I call out.
“Yes, Hais?”
“Can you grab me a water, please? I want to finish taking photos with the kids, but intros are in fifteen.” I bend down to take a selfie with a small kid and his parents. I do like this part of racing. I’ve worked my ass off to be a role model, someone for kids to look up to.
Elle returns with a water in hand. “Ready for intros?”
I nod and thank the visitors for showing up and supporting me and the team before Elle and I start to walk to the area for introductions.
I can feel myself getting more antsy. The pressure of the race building, my nerves, overthinking everything, including if I feel safe with Bud calling the strategy. Introductions fly by and we are back on pit road near the car.
