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“Roger that,” Eric acknowledges. “Okay, Haisley, going green this time around.”
I watch on the monitors as the field goes green. Haisley opens the throttle as they speed down to the first chicane off the straightaway. The Portland track is tricky in spots, but rather tame compared to some of the other road tracks. The tight turn in the back is a place for issues; otherwise, she should be good. She cleared those turns with minimal effort.
I watch and monitor her levels, the handling of the car, everything. I am happy that she’s responding and offering feedback. I was afraid we’d have the same issue as World Wide with her spacing out.
The race continues, and we are about fifteen laps from the end. Haisley is currently in tenth when a huge crash occurs in the back turn. Eric guides her through it with minimal damage. Five of the lead cars were involved in the wreck, moving Haisley to fifth.
“Come in to pit when pit road opens,” I instruct. She acknowledges, and I turn to Mac. “I want stickers and fuel. Adjust the pressures slightly. I want her to have drive off the corners.”
“Roger that,” he replies and get the tires ready. I feel confident that off of pit road, she’ll be able to gain a spot or two. We’ve had the fast pit times all race.
“Haisley, I want you to really open the throttle in the front. Dive down in the chicane. I think we can pull another spot or two there,” I tell her.
“Sounds good,” she radios back. I glance over at Elle who smiles. I know what she is insinuating; it’s better than her telling me to fuck off.
I watch as she pulls into pit. The crew is fast, and she pulls out just in front of two drivers ahead of her. Now in third, we have a good chance of finishing top three.
The caution takes a few more laps to clear all of the cars from the wreck, leaving us a full three laps to the end. “Alright, here we go, get your switches and setup ready,” Eric relays over the radio.
I hold the table of the pit box as the green flag waves and the cars open on the front stretch. Haisley opens her throttle full and dives into the corner of the chicane. She clears the second-place car and puts a good second between them. “That a girl! Keep that driving up,” I attempt to support her.
“Tractions a little tight, but better than I had before,” she responds as I flash a smile at Elle. Another second-place finish will be amazing for her. She comes through the back turns without an issue, increasing the throttle through the front stretch and cutting the lead of the car in front of her to under a half second.
“I’m going for the pass,” she alerts us as I watch the monitors.
“Only if you can without crashing,” I warn. We were coming up to the final lap.
“Watch me,” she challenges, and I shake my head. She and Chad Adams, of course, are now neck and neck coming down the front stretch, the white flag waving. I’m holding my breath as they enter into the first turn and chicane. Each giving and taking, blocking one another.
I stand up and bounce from side to side on my feet, as they enter the back corners of the track, neither one giving up. The back straightaway leads to a slight lead until the final corners. Chad pulls ahead by a hundredth of a second as they come off the last corner.
I see Haisley open up the throttle, and it is closer than I’d like as they race to the start/finish line to take the checkered. I am holding my breath; Neil is gripping the table next to me as I watch Chad’s throttle release, and Haisley takes the checkered flag.
I jump up and down hugging Elle and Neil as the crew jumps the pit box and cheers. I watch as Haisley slows down as Eric screams into the radio that she won!
“Holy shit, she did it!” Elle cheers. “I should have negotiated a bonus for winning.”
“She’s a hell of a driver,” I point out as we drop down from the pit box to join her in victory lane. Her first win on the INDY circuit as a rookie.
She jumps out of the car and hugs us all; ours is a little awkward from all of the tension that has been building the last week or two.
“Congratulations,” I whisper into her ear. “You deserve that and many more.”
Haisley smiles and continues to celebrate as the reporters come to interview her. “Haisley, what an amazing win. How does it feel to get your first win in the INDY series, your rookie year? What was the catyalst behind it?”
Haisley glances at me then turns back to the reporter. “The win is amazing! I’m still in shock, honestly. The crew was beyond belief in the pits today, and, well, I have a great crew chief who believes in me, and that makes a huge difference.”
I offer her a smile and allow her to bask in the feeling of winning.
