May 6, 2000 – Pontiac Excitement 400

Junior was up and gone by the time Noelle rolled out of bed at ten. She showered and made her way to the garage. A crowd was already formed outside, watching what was going on in the garage. She pushed her way through and stepped over the barrier.

“I want to know what the fuck happened!” an angry voice yelled as she walked in. Everyone was standing around the car. Junior had his hand over his mouth and his face looked a little red. Noelle stopped at the rear of the car, not knowing whether to go any further. “Someone better give me some fucking answers!”

“Looks like someone banged it somehow.” Tony Jr. said from beside Junior. She inched her way behind some of the pit crew and looked to see what they were talking about. When she saw the indentation on the hood of the car, her eyes widened. “Who knows…but we can hammer it out and it will be as good as new.”

“Do it, but that’s not the point. Someone is going to have some answers for me before the race tonight. If someone was messing with Junior’s car, they have me to deal with!” Tony Sr. stormed off. The pit crew scattered and started working. Noelle hung back and let Junior come to her. They looked at each other and busted out laughing.

“Oh shit.” He mumbled as they walked out of the garage. “I forgot how flimsy the hood was.”

“Oh shit isn’t the word.” Noelle glanced back and saw Tony Jr. hammering out the indentation. “I feel kind of offended.” Junior looked confused. “I mean, I’m not heavy enough to leave that big of an indentation!” Junior laughed and threw and an arm over her should. “It must have been your added weight.” She nudged him in the ribs, making him jump.

“Don’t start your complain’.” He looked her in the eyes. “I won my bet by the way.” Noelle smirked at him. “I told you I would.”

“Only because I let you.” She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Go to work. I’m going over to the souvenir trailer to help with sales. I’ll catch you for lunch after Happy Hour.”

“Where you gonna be for the race?” He called as she walked in the direction of the hauler.

Noelle stopped and turned around. “Under the lights, of course.” Junior shook his head. “Pits.” He nodded and winked at her.

******

Noelle sat on the wall in pit row and watched everyone milling around. She loved night races, but being at one was going to be a new experience for her. She could already tell that watching them on TV did no justice to them.

“Hey.” Noelle jumped when she heard Tony Stewart behind her. “Didn’t mean to scare ya.”

“It’s ok.” She said as he sat down next to her.

“Where’s Junior? I was looking for him earlier and couldn’t find him.” Noelle shrugged. “You don’t know either?”

“Last time I saw him was at after your second practice. I went back to the hauler to sell merchandise again. I did talk to him a little while ago when he called my cell, but he didn’t say anything was going on. My guess is he’s wandering around somewhere.”

“Cool.” Tony looked out over the track. “Well…tell him I’ll see his ass on the track. I just wanted to stop by and give him a good ribbing before we started.”

“I’ll send him your way when I find him.” Noelle laughed. Tony left and wandered down to his pit. She saw Junior out of the corner of her eye and watched him as he walked toward her. “There you are…go see Tony.”

“He talkin’ smack again?” Junior asked. Noelle nodded. “That boy needs his ass kicked.” He kissed her quickly. “Stay warm…it’s chilly.” He buttoned his coat that she had on and winked at her before heading off after Tony.

Noelle’s heart was beating fast as the race started. She stood on the pit wall with the pit crew and watched. She had a radio on so she could hear Junior and know what was going on. Toward the end of the race, Noelle was on pins and needles. There was a chance that he was actually going to win.

Junior passed Dale Sr. with twenty laps to go. Noelle held her breath as she watched him on the track. When he finished first, she leaped off the pit wall and was hugged by everyone on the pit crew. Junior did a victory lap and then did donuts and a burnout. Smoke from the burnout was everywhere.

“Hop on.” Tony Sr. called to her as he stopped with the golf cart. She sat down and they headed off to Victory Lane.

Once everyone was in Victory Lane, Junior climbed out of the car and did a swan dive into the waiting arms of his pit crew. Noelle couldn’t help but laugh as she watched all the excitement. Someone gave Junior a mic to put on for his interview with Sports Center and then they all waited.

“Can you get me some water?” Junior asked Noelle who had snuck up behind him and whispered congratulations in his ear. She handed him the bottle that she had been drinking from. They were getting showered with beer and champagne. The energy was overwhelming and it took you right along with it.

Junior had disappeared for a good twenty minutes before the interviews and photographs started. Noelle sat on the golf cart and watched all the excitement. The pit crew was still yelling and screaming and hugging each other. Dale Sr. and Teresa were off to the side, being congratulated on having a winning car for DEI.

“Just come with me.” Junior said to her when he got back and she protested about not looking her best to meet anyone. They walked back toward the car where a crowd was still waiting for the media things to start. “Mom, this is Noelle. Noelle, this is my mom Brenda.”

“Nice to meet you.” Brenda held out her hand.

“Same here.” Noelle shook her hand and smiled. Glancing at Junior quickly. “I’m sorry I don’t look that great.”

“It’s ok…under the circumstances, you look fine.” Brenda laughed. “Junior has told me a lot about you. Seems he’s quite smitten with you.” Noelle blushed and Junior put his arm around her.

“Junior! Get over here!” someone yelled for him.

“I’ll be back.” He kissed Noelle and hugged his mom before leaving again. Noelle and Brenda chatted for a few minutes and then went to watch all the activity.

When everything had calmed down and Junior was done with the interviews and photographs, they walked back to the coach. Noelle yawned and leaned her head against Junior’s shoulder.

“We’re gonna have to find our own way home.” He said quietly.

“Why don’t we just ride with your dad?” she asked as they stopped by the garage to see who was still there. They found Tony Sr. and Tony Jr. packing up a few things.

“They left already. I guess they didn’t want to wait around.” Junior shrugged. “Hey Tony Sr., I have a confession to make!”

“What’s that Junebug?” Tony Sr. looked up from the toolbox.

“Noelle and I made that dent in the hood.” He laughed and then looked at Noelle, whose mouth dropped open.

“Junior!” Tony Sr. shook his head. “What the hell….oh I don’t even want to know.”

Chapters: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20/21/22/23/24/25/26/27/28/29/30