I am in no way involved with Grey's Anatomy...just an obsessed fan like everyone else making our favourite characters do what we want them to do. Some adult content.

So this story has been in my head for awhile now and refuses to leave. WE all know of Patrick's passion for racing and well...I love it too. No one else that I know of has written Derek in this way so thought it would be "interesting"...my version of "interesting"...not Shonda's. I know more about NASCAR so have used this venue rather than Indy Car or the Koni Series that he races in as Derek's passion.

This is totally AU but does use the characters we have come to know and love (or hate in some cases LOL) of Grey's Anatomy. There will also be mentions of actual real people even though I will take my own liberties with their portrayal in this story.

Enjoy the ride everyone because truth be known...we all live Life In The Fast Lane!!


Everything is quiet now but the stands will soon be full

With thousands of our screaming fans all waiting on a show

That's when this old race track takes on a life of it's own

So listen to this driver's prayer I don't want to feel alone

Keep us safe today dear Lord when we sit behind the wheel

Be right here beside us if it be your will

Help us to do our best and turn it over to you

Guide us and direct us until this race is through

Guide us and direct us until this race is through

I know the car is ready we've done all we can do

I have the love of family, great friends and crew

I'm thankful for the chance to be here today

So what I'm asking for dear Lord Is your blessing along the way

Keep us safe today dear Lord when we sit behind the wheel

Be right here beside us if it be your will

Help us to do our best and turn it over to you

Guide us and direct us until this race is through

Guide us and direct us until this race is through

The thunder of the engines was deafening. The smell of gasoline, burnt rubber, hot dogs and beer fermented the air, the grandstands were standing room only. Flags were cracking briskly with the breeze. The infield was filled with motorhomes, trailers, trucks, cars, tents, lawn chairs, coolers and lot of bodies, big and small. Children were running helter skelter, here and there, some were taking advantage of the small lake, trying their luck at fishing.

February 18th, 2001. The Florida weather was balmy and breezy and excitement was running high. Derek Shepherd and his best friend Mark Sloan had planned this trip for the last year. It was something they had both wanted to do forever but never had the opportunity until now. Over two weeks before they had packed up the rented motorhome and headed off on their journey heading south. Their destination? The great American race...the Daytona 500.

From where they were sitting in the infield they had the perfect view from the roof of the motorhome. Two lawn chairs with a cooler stuck between them filled with beer, they sat totally in awe that they were actually there. The noise was unbelievable especially during the lap 176 crash taking 18 cars out of the race and sent the 20 car, Tony Stewart flipping through the air. This was the "Big One". It was always expected here at Daytona with all the cars closely packed together, going almost 200 mph, the slightest wrong move sending you careening into the wall or into another car. All drivers involved were released from the Infield Care Centre with no injuries except for Tony who was sent for x-rays to check for a concussion at the nearby Halifax Medical Centre.

The laps were winding down and white flag signaling the last lap had been waved. The blue 15 NAPA Auto Parts Chevy driven by Michael Waltrip was leading, closely followed by the 8 red Budweiser Chevy driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., teammates running 1st and 2nd . The next car in line was the famous black 3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet driven by the Intimidator himself, Dale Earnhardt Sr. throwing the block to all the cars behind him. Dale Sr. you see, owned the two cars ahead of him, the 15 going for his first win and the 8 was his son. This was the first time that father and son had the chance to race together in the notorious Daytona 500. The leaders were headed out of turn 3 and into turn 4 when suddenly the 3 slammed into the turn 4 wall going 180 mph at a 45 degree angle. With no opportunity to miss it, the 38 t-boned the 3 in the side. Both cars slid down the banking and came to a stop on the apron of the track. Ken Schrader, climbed from his car and went to the 3 car to check on his friend but was pushed aside by track safety and medical crew. While all this was taking place the 15 and the 8 had already crossed the finish line, the race was over and Michael had his first victory, but it was less than joyful as his two car owners and teammate were absent. Theresa Earnhardt and Dale Jr. were already on their way to Halifax Medical Centre to be with their husband and father who had been extradited from his car, his medical condition unknown.

Derek and Mark were on their feet on top of the motorhome, taking in all the activity with looks of worry etched into their faces. Dale Sr. was one of their idols. In fact earlier during Speedweeks they had had their picture taken with the man himself, one of Dale's arms thrown casually over each of them. Dale in his trademark sunglasses and GM Goodwrench suit, Mark and Derek on each side with huge shit-eating grins covering their faces. They also had pictures of them with Richard Petty, Mark Martin, Dale Jr., Matt Kenseth and Darryl Waltrip, but their greatest accomplishment and favourite was with the Intimidator.

The victory celebration was over and the crowd in the grandstands were slowly dispersing. Mark and Derek traveled around the infield visiting other fans. Everywhere they stopped, the reaction was the same, disbelief and worry were the emotions expressed by everyone. Finally at 7 p.m. EST, two hours later, NASCAR President Mike Helton's voice came over the loudspeakers, "Undoubtedly this is one of the toughest announcements I've personally had to make. After the accident in Turn 4 at the end of the Daytona 500, we've lost Dale Earnhardt."

Cries of grief and despair came from every part of the track and the world. The seven time Winston Cup Champion was gone, the racing world had lost a legend.

Derek and Mark, grief-stricken, slowly made their way back to their motorhome and silently lowered their black 3 flag, with tears glistening in their eyes and a quiet prayer in their hearts, to half-mast.

After a restless and nightmare filled night, Mark and Derek had the motorhome packed and ready to leave. Just outside the track entrance, beneath the Daytona International Speedway sign, a makeshift tribute was compiling to their hero. Flowers, flags, lit candles, diecast cars, hats and posters were being left at the shrine created in memory of the man who had meant so much to the NASCAR world. Derek parked the motorhome off to the side and the two of them made their way to stand with the other fans gathered there in their grief. Their heads bowed, their lips mouthing silent last words to their mentor, they placed one of the three pictures of them with Dale in amongst the flowers, their eyes misty and red rimmed. Written underneath were the words...'You'll be greatly missed. Rest in Peace Dale. Derek Shepherd and Mark Sloan'