Chapter 2: It's More Than Liquid Adrenaline
This is probably where the story starts to pick up, Jackson Storm is introduced, and his entourage of support. Hope you're still reading!
It was routine to inspect the moving van. Simple inspections could reveal intricate problems that could pose a risk for the truck handling their trailer. It was annoying sometimes but safety was first.
Gale watched patiently as two forklifts examined the shiny, black 'IGNTR' trailer's tires. Maybe she didn't pay much attention to the vivid design of IGNTR's aesthetic, but the way the blue glowed above the shiny black coating was a new and improved contrast from traditional colors of Piston Cup racers. It gave off an ominous- yet, innovative feel.
A pick-up truck donning the same black and blue paintjob rolled over, parking himself beside the female truck with a weary gaze plastered on his front end. They both watched as air was filled into the right-side back tire of the trailer.
"With all the rookies I've trained, all the race cars I've had," the pick-up truck began, "I've never met a racer as fearless as Jackson."
Gale nodded once, a smile spread across her lips.
"You'd know it, as his crew chief, Ray," she stated, matter of factually. He was Ray Reverham after all, crew chief of racing team IGNTR, sporting team's 2.0 number.
"His speed clocked in at 209 miles on the simulator yesterday," Ray continued, his voice resonating awe.
"No kidding!? Damn, he's like a bullet." Gale replied, stunned as she glanced back to Ray beside her. She hadn't been a hauler for a long time, but that had to be the fastest car she'd met.
"And he's our racer, kid's got talent," Ray smiled as his eyes turned to her.
"Those guys down at the track won't forget about, Jackson. He's going places."
The sudden reving of an electric engine approached the pair of crew; the two forklifts began packing away their pumps and tools as they looked in the direction of the unique sound.
"Morning, Reverham," an articulate and smooth voice resonated from the mouth of the black and neon race car– quickly approaching the duo.
"Ah, there he is," Ray mused, his expression becoming joyeous as he caught sight of Jackson pulling up in front of him and Gale.
"Here's our number 20, fastest racer soon to dominate the Piston Cup, Jackson Storm!" Ray beamed, as Gale giggled at his opera.
Jackson smiled, taking in those words. He knew this day would come soon enough, he could finally show the racing world what true talent was.
"Only the best with my team," Storm replied simply as his eyes adverted to Gale, she smiled warmly.
"That, I like," Jackson complimented, "The paint job makes you look like a champion truck."
"Ah, thanks," Gale replied, "It's a big change from my usual paintjob, but it's damn crisp in the sunlight."
"Trailer's ready," Ray rolled towards the back hatch, and with the press of a button, the hatch opened.
He took a look inside the trailer of the racer. Blue neon lights donned the walls connecting the ceiling to the length. A large grafted, glowing, neon blue light displayed the next-generation racing number of 2.0. A large mat covered the floor, showcasing Storm's sponsor, 'Liquid Adrenaline'.
"Huh..." Ray murmured, amazed. These millenials today really brought out the meaning of futuristic technology.
"Trailer's ready, I'm ready," Jackson pulled up to Ray, taking notice of his starstruck with the trailer.
"You getting a ride to the 400, Ray?" Jackson asked, as Gale got herself hooked up.
"Who else is gonna watch your luggage? Aye, I got a ton of planning to do for your preparation too." Ray replied, rejecting his offer, and turning his attention away from the decked out trailer, to Jackson.
"I'll be arriving later tonight, or the next morning," Ray continued as Jackson reversed himself into his trailer.
"Train till then, they won't know what hit 'em when the race starts the next few days."
"No problem– and you've got the simulator ready for transport?" Jackson asked, reaching his back tire for something behind him, as he looked to Ray.
"Yeah, it's probably gonna arrive there before I do," Ray replied reversing slowly, "two of your pitties, Leon and Quincy, will be tagging along with it. You'll meet them soon enough."
"Ah, alright, everything's all set," Jackson slid two cans of energy oil down the hatch ramp to his crew chief. Ray stared at the can inquisitively.
"IGNTR gave me a months supply, what better way to thank my driver and crew chief than to share the benefits?"
Ray turned the canister logo to face him, although the black and blue coloring already answered his question. The logo read in large white font, 'IGNTR: Liquid Adrenaline' confirming his curiosity.
"Better than firing three of your crew chiefs like McQueen did in his first season," Ray joked, reading the ingredients of the drink.
Jackson busted into a fit of laughter as he recalled watching McQueen twist his way into his rookie season 11 years ago. Jackson wouldn't make the same mistake.
"That's for sure," Ray remarked, reversing with the cans in his tire's grip. "Have a safe drive, Jackson."
Jackson shook his frame chuckling, "You too, Reverham," he pressed the 'close' button and the trailer hatch began folding up.
"I'll save some juice for McQueen, he's gonna need it!" Jackson said, before the hatch closed.
Ray, drove his way up to Gale as she started her engine, ready to haul out.
"Courtesy of Jackson Storm," Ray smiled, sliding the can to her tire.
"Go-Go Juice, huh?" Gale caught the can under her tire, "This energy drink, I can work with... and I do." she winked.
"See ya at the speedway, Ray." Gale pulled out of the lot tugging Jackson's trailer. Her black shimmering paint standing out among the green landscape and blue sky.
Ray waved them farewell, turning his attention back to the forklifts waiting at the side of the lot.
"Now, how the hell am I gonna get that simulator to the hotel?" Ray inquired, honestly.
The two forklifts exchanged glances with each other before shrugging.
"I'll figure out something." Ray accelerated towards the COMBUSTR sponsor building behind him, as the forklifts followed suite.
hope you enjoyed Jackson's intro thus far. More chapters to come. Have a good one, and watch Cars 3 if you haven't already, it's a neat story from the rest!