Page 82 of Full Throttle

Chapter 30

Colby’s car felt good. It was performing well. Then again, she had only completed one lap. Time would tell how good her design was. She would need her engine to perform at its optimum. Smart drivers were still feeling each other out, but she knew that was eventually going to change. It was only a matter of time before teams began to execute their plans.

As Colby rounded lap fifteen, she spoke into her headset. “Not sure what’s going on with Team Romani’s car. Suspension or something. I can take him in the first turn of the next lap.” Colby was cruising at close to 150 mph. Her car could easily top out at 225.

“Stay put,” Cyrus instructed forcefully. “Stick to the game plan.”

Colby knew she could get by that car, but Cyrus was her chief. For now, she was going to do as told.

After an hour, she pulled her car over into pit road like everyone else. Stage one was over, and she was still in thirty-fourth place, meaning she hadn’t earned any points.

She let her team do what they do best. Quickly they checked and replaced her tires, inspected the engine, and gassed her up.

She heard Cyrus through her headset. “We survived the first stage.”

Colby’s eyebrows lifted almost to her hairline. “I’ve got to do more than survive.”

He ignored her. “Two more stages to go. Things are going to pick up fairly quickly once you get back out there. It’s time to start moving into position.”

Everyone understood their assignments. After a bit more back and forth, their break was over. The pungent smell of burning rubber and squealing tires could be heard as she sped off out onto the course.

Seconds after Team Lockwood got back on the track, the flag dropped, signaling the beginning of stage two. Within the first lap, Colby had her first encounter with a driver trying to force her out of her lane. It wasn’t a cheap shot, just drivers doing what they do. Colby stood her ground. Not only did she not swerve out of the way, she accelerated, clipping the front of their car with her back bumper as she pulled ahead.One down and thirty-three more to go, she thought. Chris and Jordan were in position and about five cars in front. She could see them.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see a car on the right moving in too close—and then left. They were going to try to set the trap going into the curve. “They’re going for the box,” Colby said into her headset.

“I see them,” Cyrus responded. “Slow your car and roll to the left.”

She would lose the gains she’d made and potentially end up in last place.

“I’m going to slip by Romani. His car is still struggling.”

Fortunately for her, Team Romani hadn’t been able to identify and fix their suspension problem. There was a small break in traffic. It was tight. She was going to slip through it. If Colby could make it, she would be right behind Chris and Jordan. If she couldn’t, her car might spin out.

Cyrus was agitated. “It’s too tight. Slow down and roll left, Colby James,” he stated firmly.

Her dad was playing it too safe.I can make it.Colby’s hand tightened on the wheel, she shifted into fourth gear, slowed just a second to throw the two cars flanking her left and right off, then shifted back into fifth and accelerated. The crack just before Romani’s car was closing.Push push push.She told herself as she continued to lower her foot on the accelerator.

Everything looked like one big blur as she whizzed past the other cars. Less than two seconds later, Colby had overtaken Romani and was now in twenty-seventh position. “I’m right on your tail,” she said to Chris and Jordan.

“Yep. I see you,” Chris said.

“Gotcha in my sights,” Jordan responded.

“C’mon, boys. Let’s do this.”

*****

“Ladies and gentlemen, she is in the building! Colby James, driving Lucky #12, has finally joined this race. She just made an incredible move and for the moment has overtaken Team Romani.” The VIP room erupted as they heard the commentator’s analysis.

Liam was sweating bullets. He was sure he’d aged at least ten years. “How the hell did Colby make it through that little hole?”

“I have no idea.” Brian’s hand was placed over his forehead in shock. “I thought she was going to clip that car.”

Lila released a breath as her heart was beating a mile a minute. “I thought those two cars were for sure going to box her in. But instead, Team Dau—” She caught herself. “I mean, Lockwood has finally gotten into formation!” Lila kicked off her heels. “Can’t jump up and down in these damn things.” She laughed.

“She’s got a long way to go to catch up to Asher and Lorene in both points and position.” Liam acknowledged. If anybody could do it, he had a strong feeling it was Colby.

*****

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