IMSA season Prime One shots
True to their word, Jack, Miko, and Sierra spent the next few weeks practicing for the race, all the while going to school and working on homework at the base, and in their free time they did simulations of the track.
It was January before things really started heating up for the racing season, and NEST personnel were taking anatomy and physiology classes with ratchet, Captain William Lennox was made ground commanding officer until Jack was out in the field.
And with the three teens making practice runs just about had national news medias around the world wanting to watch their practices.
Ford however wasn't about to let them harass his star performers. So, in exchange for them to leave the kids alone, he did a press conference talking about the planes for the upcoming race season
It was about a week before the race when they had their first real taste of action of another format was given to them.
The roar before the 24 is a tradition for Daytona as the drivers post up for position, even if the pole position doesn't technically say anything about what will happen in the race, its still a moral booster for the drivers.
All the competing cars will select one drive to put the car into a favorable position. And who better for the it then the leader of their humans of team Prime Jack?
The cars where on the track lined up behind the pace cars, with the GTD group that ford was in in the third group of the six rolling around the track now.
the crew chief was briefing Jack as the race was getting ready to take off.
"One hundred minutes to get a good position, don't hold back this time around, but be careful of the 34 Ferrari, he doesn't want anyone near his title."
"Got it…" Jack said as he watched the pace car pull away from the pack.
He took two deep breaths and looked forward as the cars in front of him started pulling away with speed.
"Let's rock!" he said as he smashed his foot into the accelerator and joined up with the rest of the cars going into the first corner leading into the infield's international horseshoe.
He shifted and lifted his foot from the accelerator and let the car cruz around the corner.
He did the same for the second hair pin of the horseshoe.
Finally, they were back out onto the main part of the course where the bulk of the action usually takes place.
Jack went to the inside and caught up to the corvette that was leading the division and drafted on him for a couple seconds before he performed a slingshot maneuver that resulted in him driving by the corvette and making rapid progress up to the next group which was the prototypes.
But first he had the go through the bus stop.
After the chicane, he started pushing for the next group with smooth shifting and graceful turns around the nascar's turns 3 and 4.
He past the start/finish line right on the tail of the last prototype.
He couldn't pass him yet as the horseshoe was up next but he did give him a quick bump to let him know he was there.
He braked for the hairpin and quickly gassed it afterwards to keep up with the pack of prototypes.
The second hairpin was done not two seconds later and they were back on the nascar's turns one through two, as Jack made his move.
He slipped outside and started pressing up on the pack.
He looked in the rearview to see the other fords and the corvette falling in line almost right behind him.
He looked back forward to see he was passing the back of the pack and found an opening to slide into just before the bus stop.
He went three more laps chasing the leader of the group.
And when he found him, he did the same maneuver as he did with the lead corvette.
The slingshot put him right behind the GTLM group.
Which happen to include the driver the chief warned him of.
The announcer's booth
"Well, if you are just now joining us, we are in the middle of what is turning into a very entertaining performance by someone very few people expect to see." Dale Waltrip said.
"I have to agree with you Dale, that young man Jackson Darby is really laying it out on the track, he's putting the 'Jack' into the 'Jack of all trades' quite literally if you ask me." Bobby Allison followed up.
"I never did get an official statement from ford, but apparently, Jack is doing this season for the military contract that was signed late last year." Dale stated.
Bobby nodded. "Yeah, something about some new task force being built, no details as to what it was but if he is involved it must be a complicated story."
The two didn't say anything as the Jack's number 7 Ford passes the start/finish line chasing down the overall race leader Ferrari number 34, driven Ironically enough by Francesco Bandini the second.
Bobby couldn't help but chuckle. "What does this scene remind you off?" he said to his friend.
"Ford and Ferrari. Man, this will never get old, even if there are more companies on the field."
"Looks like Jack is making a run at him as we speak."
Back on the track
Jack was pinched in a rock and hard place as he swung the car around the second hairpin of the horseshoe and gunned it to get up by the Ferrari, he'll give the leader some credit, he knew how to box someone out if he wanted.
Coming out on the nascar course he made another run at him, this time running up right behind him as he made his way to slingshot around him and get the line he had found during the practice.
With skill and precision he didn't know he had, he stuck to the leaders bumper like glue through he bus stop and to the main course's turns 3 and 4.
Finally, after he felt the car having nowhere to go, he pulled out from behind the leader and slid right up next to him as they crossed the line.
They entered the infield side-by-side as the two cars fought for position.
The two stuck like glue at each other as they navigated the infield, swapping sides of the road as they cross over the white line heading out to the main field and Jack finally got the upper hand of the fight and started pulling away from the other driver.
He heard a congratulation cheer from the other side of the radio as they celebrated his fight to the top.
He smiled as he took the lead all the way to the end, putting some of the best times on the board that anyone had seen.
Inside the 34 Ferrari
Pissed would be a nice way to put it. He was absolutely livid, he just got out performed by a damn teenager!
He vowed he wouldn't lose to these snot nosed kids when it came to race day, but he'd wait until the last bit of the race to make his move.
One week later
24 hours, 3 drivers, 4 hours at a time.
Miko would take the first time, Sierra would be the second, and Jack would be the third.
"When morning comes the competition is going to heat up, so don't do anything to strenuous until your second time in the car. Jack, I know you won't feel like it, But I need you to highly consider getting some rest, when you get in it'll be night fall, and I don't want you falling asleep at the wheel."
Jack nodded.
The chief looked at his watch. "Thirty minutes, are you ready to race Miko?" he looked at her.
The girl looked nervous, but she nodded anyway. "Okay, use the restroom and mount up, green flag flies in thirty." The girl nodded and stood up.
She was out of the room not a second later.
He turned to Jack, "I put you last in the rotation because Bandini is also last in the rotation."
"I figured as much. If he tries anything what do you want me to do?"
"Do as little as you can, but let him know the attitude isn't welcome here."
Miko walked into the room a few minutes later suited up and ready to go. However, Fowler walked in with a slight smile on his face.
"The bots have something to say to you three before we kick this off." He spoke.
The three teen's looked at each other with a smile as they went and talked to their friends of another world.
Announcers booth
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 59th running of the Rolex 24 hours of Daytona! Here a few minutes we well see some of the finest drivers and cars take the field and when we go green, it will be none stop until this time tomorrow." Dale went.
Bobby Alison spoke next, "In the qualifying round we saw an amazing performance from 17-year-old Jackson Darby in the ford number 7 GT, he laid it out there that he was going to someone to watch today."
"The drivers are in the cars and they are running the course behind a pace car. Next time around we will be going Green, until then Dale, Professional opinion, The Bandini family has been racing for decades, do you think three teens from, for lack of better term, the middle of nowhere can beat those odds?" Bobby asked.
"Considering who these kids are related to, and what they have been doing for the last few months, I don't have a doubt in my mind that they can pull it off!" Dale answered.
"And just who are these kids related to? for the fans out there who don't know."
"Jack is the great-grandson of the late Carol Shelby. Sierra, is the great-granddaughter of Ken Miles. And Miko is the great-granddaughter of Mari ado Nagasaki, so to say that they have racing in their blood would be an understatement!"
"I agree! The pace car is in the pit lane and the green flag is out! The 59th Rolex 24 is officially underway!
In the Ford number 7's pit box.
"Stay cool Miko, I know it's tempting but you got teammates that clean up any slack you may let out, hang lose, and good luck!" the chief spoke to the girl.
The team watched at the cars revved up and started speeding down the track and saw the ford number seven hold up front for the majority of the time that she was in the car.
Four hours passed and Miko came into pit lane for the driver change.
She stopped the car, and as per rules, she turned off the car and got out, she let Sierra get in and she got into the tent to rest.
Not a minute later Sierra had the car running and out of the pit box getting ready to start her four hours on the Track.
"Good job Miko." Jack said to her with a smile.
He was nursing a cup of soup and handed it to her to drink. It being January made it a bit chilly in the pits. The soup served as an excellent source of warmth.
She accepted the cup and the praise with a smile. "For God and Country." She said before sipping the soup.
"For God and Country."
"Yellow Flags out!" Jack whipped around with fear striking his face.
True the odds of Sierra being in an accident wasn't very likely, it was still something to think about.
"The number 89 Porsche is missing an axle." The chief informed him.
"The axle is missing, as in like someone ripped it our or did it just like, fall out?" Jack asked.
"It just dropped out from under the car, I don't quite know the details but Sierra will be running 19th over all when we get back to it."
Jack nodded in understanding, and the chief left to go back to his position to keep an eye on the track.
It's a cold day in Florida, January isn't usually this bad for the ocean side state, but for some reason they were setting at about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and with ford's reputation when it came to performing in cold weather, it was going to be an uphill battle until morning when it started to warm back up.
Jack sighed, "It's going to be a long night, you should get some rest."
"I'll get some rest in a few minutes…" she said before sipping the soup again.
"You have something on your mind." The girl looked at him.
"Can't get anything by you, can I?" the boy raised an eye brow.
She sighed before she said anything. "I wonder what the bots are thinking, and I'm also worried about what happens if we don't do good in this race…"
Jack sat beside her. "The bots said they were proud of us for doing this for our home, and Ford had already delivered several cars to NEST. We don't have to perform well; we just have to drive." He wrapped his arm around her.
"Miko, you are easily one of the most stubborn adrenalin junkies I know, this subject that we are talking about doesn't have to be done with you being afraid, that's a part of being human, I know it sucks, but we have each other and Raf, to fall on, we are a team, and the only thing that will stop us, is 'us'. There are no absolute right ways to go through life, just good ones. You have a fire in you Miko, and come your next time in the car, you'll be able to put that fire to use." He spoke softly.
"If I had a younger sister, I'd want her to be just like you. Witty, and brave." He said to her.
The revving from the cars could be heard increasing as the green flag flew again.
"Go get some rest, the next time you're in the car, it gets real!" he said.
And girl nodded and stood up to go to the rest tent where some cots were set up for the drivers.
She was out when her head hit the pillow.
Several hours later.
Jack pulled in for him to swap out with Miko, and he saw he with a confident look in her eyes.
Jack smiled and held up a hand to give her a high five as he moved out of the way for her to get in the car.
"Two hours, then hit it!" he said to her.
She nodded and closed the door.
She took off into the night time to get back into the race.
Jack entered the tent and was met by Sierra, who had an adored look on her face and a steaming cup of soup probably.
He took off the helmet and looked into her eyes as she handed the cup to him.
"Thanks!" he said as he took the cup.
"I heard what you told Miko." She spoke.
Jack's eyes widened in realization.
"You aren't just one of the bravest Human males on the planet, you are smart, and sweet!" she said.
She smiled, "If I weren't dating you, I don't doubt you'd have a whored of girls chasing you!" she said.
She rapped her arms around his neck after he finished the soup, and she kissed him.
It lasted a good Ten seconds before she released his lips from hers.
"When my next turn comes around, I will be aiming to get us into the top ten if Miko can't, we are sitting 17th overall, you did a good job holding the position."
"I didn't want to push it too hard." Sierra understood.
"You doing what you thought was best. Now, I think you need to get some rest." She said with a smile.
Jack nodded, after four hours of driving, a nap sounded really good.
He turned away to go to the cot, but Sierra got his attention once more before he left.
She kissed him once more. "Good night, sleep well." She said sweetly. Jack smiled and nodded.
He walked over to the cot and laid down, going to sleep not a minute later.
After Jack was asleep, Sierra walked out to the pits to see other drivers changing out with their next driver.
It felt weird, it was almost like she was there before.
Must be the Miles Blood. She mused.
She was still tired, she honestly thought about joining Jack on the cot and catching a couple more hours…
In fact, she thinks that what she'll do.
She turned on a heel and walked back into the tent and found Jack turned over on his left side, meaning Sierra could wrap an arm around his waist.
She laid down next to him and did just that.
She was asleep quickly thereafter.
Three and a half hours later
She was awoken by a firm shake on the shoulder. "Ms. Thomson…" she sighed as she shrugged it off for a second before she got it again, "Ms. Thomson, it's almost time for a swap." She knew what that meant.
She pulled her arm from around Jack and shifted over to get off the cot.
The chief let out a soft sigh, He knew the two kids were close ever since Jack moved to Jasper, and he also knew that if his daughter ever found a guy like Jack, he would just about what them married.
"Got any fresh coffee?" she whispered.
The man nodded.
She stood up and grabbed her helmet. Before she left the room, she gave Jack a kiss on the cheek.
"Rest easy love, I get you in a good spot, I promise." She whispered.
She was out of the room and she didn't hear him respond. "I know you will."
The driver change happened and Miko came into the tent looking for some soup, she understood that Jack was resting, so she wasn't mad at him for not greeting her.
After getting some soup, she sat down in one of the chairs that were scattered about. It was about 8 o'clock, and she wasn't very sleepy, but if she fell asleep watching the live broadcast of the race, she knew no one would blame her.
Sierra's turn in the car put them in 7th place, it would have been 9th if it hadn't been for the accident with two of the cars ahead of her.
When Jack took over, he knew he was the last one to roll out to the track for the duration of the race. He had done his business already and the chief gave him the green light to chase down the leader.
When the wheels hit the road outside the pit road, he gassed it all the way.
An hour remaining
Jack had passed the majority of the field by this point in the race, all that was left was the Ferrari number 34 in the lead.
Déjà vu anyone? Jack mused
Jack was creeping up on the number 34 car as the race slowly timed out.
He could imagine the announcers going haywire with "Ford vs Ferrari" comments.
The last lap was in a few minutes and Jack didn't want to spoil it, so he held onto drafting the car in front of him.
Finally, the white flag flew and Jack made his move, aiming to do a sling shot around the Ferrari before going to the infield.
Miraculously the Ferrari was able to block him, this didn't deter him from trying again after coming back onto the nascar portion of the field.
When Jack was right beside him, the Ferrari took a hard right and squeezed Jack in the wall.
Announcers booth
"That's illegal, he'll be disqualified for that for sure."
Omega One
"GET OUT OF THERE KID!" Ratchet yelled.
NEST HQ
"That can't be legal!" Lennox said.
VIP stands
"GET OUT OF THEIR JACK!" June and Fowler yelled together.
Back in the car with Jack
The grinding was terrible, but he knew what he had do to make this pissed driver regret his decision of being a sore loser.
He looked over to the Ferrari and saw the hateful look in the man's eyes.
"Your loss!" Jack said, he hit the brakes, causing him so slow down on the wall and the Ferrari to over take him, but at the last second, Jack hit the gas and turned hard left.
This maneuver caused the Ferrari to lose control and spin out, going down to the infield after violently slamming into the outside wall.
Resulting in Jack taking the over all lead and finishing the race first place.
Jack pulled into victory lane after it was over.
He stepped out and was swarmed by fans and fellow crew members congratulate him.
His mom and Agent Fowler and were there as well.
The victory ceremony would be held in a few minutes but first one of the reporters approached him with a microphone.
"Jackson Darby! Casey Smith, IMSA action news. That was one of the most intense race finish I can say I have seen, but before I ask anything else, are you alright?!" she said before she held the mic in front of him.
"A little shook, but I think I am alright." Jack answered. He knew his mother was going to want to give him a checkup after that stunt.
"Is it true you are related to Carol Shelby?"
"I am not too sure, I mean I have been told I am but, I can't say for sure."
"Can you give us any details about why you are racing for the military?"
"I can't say anything about it, all the public needs to know, is the Ford has signed a contract with the military for vehicles and we're only here as a means of keeping the contract alive."
"Do you have a family slogan to give a warning to anyone who may try that stunt again?"
"Mess a Darby and you'll lose every time, my alien enemies learned that one the hard way."
"Okay, Jack thank you for your time, it looks you have someone who wants to talk to you." She said with a smile.
Jack turned around to see Sierra with a smile that was almost stretching off her face.
Jack grinned and approached her.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and she his neck and the two kissed. Causing the crowd to go wild.
When they broke the kiss, they kept smiling at each other.
Miko approached the two and Jack raised a hand for her to high five. Jack motioned her over to him and the three shared a group hug.
"Good job you two." He praised.
They were all warn out, but they managed to smile at Jack's complement.
"Good driven' Jack." Miko said.
After the watches were presented to the victorious teams it was announced that the team that drove the 34 Ferrari had been disqualified from racing ever again, and the driver that tried to run Jack off the road will be fined heavily for the damages he did to the ford, the track, and an illegal contact on the race track.
This causes the crowd to cheer as the man who tried hurting the young man that quickly grew to be loved by many get what he had coming to him.
The party lasted a good hour, other drivers came by to check on Jack and congratulate him on his victory as well as complement the two girls for their exhalent driving as well.
A little while later Jack and Sierra walked out the infield holding hands.
It was night time, and most of the stadium lights had been turned off, save for a few for maintenance, meaning they were able to see a clear view of the night time sky.
"Weird how last night there was a very different setting for the stadium." Sierra said.
"Yeah." Jack agreed.
Sierra looked at him. "Are you sure you're okay?" she asked worriedly.
"I might have a little whip-lash, but I am not worried about it. A little rehab and rest, and I'll be fine." He said with a smile.
Sierra smiled at him and went in to kiss him.
The road ahead was questionable, but as the Phase goes, "let the devil have tomorrow!"
"Its bed time." Sierra said.
Jack smiled. "I know."
The two walked back to the garage and found Miko talking with one of the interns of the IMSA foundation. And it seems that they were both shy about it to.
Sierra leaned over to Jack and whispered in his ear, "Twenty bucks say those two-start dating in a week."
Jack whispered back, "Raise you forty she makes the first move."
"Oh! Hey guys come over here and meet Sam!" Miko said noticing her friends.
The young man looked like he was a mix of Hispanic and white. He held out his hand.
"Sam Whitwiky, I loved your driving!" He spoke.
Jack shook the young man's hand, "Thanks!"
The chief walked out of the garage and saw the kids talking.
"Lights out in ten!" he said.
"Okay!" came a coursed response.
They four kids quickly wrapped up their conversation and ended with Miko and Sam exchanging phone numbers.
The three ford drivers walked into the garage and the two dating teens encouraged her in the possibility of going out with Sam.
And to their surprise, she didn't even argue.
Enterprise, Nevada.
Gillet "Jill" Shelby was watching the Rolex 24 with her Brother and cousin. The three sole owners and operators of Shelby American incorporated. And they were quite surprised to hear that they had a younger cousin that was out there that didn't know he was a Shelby.
"He looks a little like Grandpa." Her cousin Miles Shelby said.
The girl nodded. "Looks like we have a family reunion we need to schedule."
Jon, her brother, nodded. "I'll make a few calls and we do something about that."
Jill nodded, and looked back at the screen with Jack's face on it.
I wonder why he didn't know he was a Shelby?
Wow, just wow, over 4,000 words and I don't think I even caught all the intensity I wanted.
Now for those of you wondering, yes, I did use this year's running of the Rolex 24, I need to make the oc'ness obvious.
And yes, a cameo. Sam Whitwiky, what do we do with him? That is up to you! I didn't feel right to not give Miko someone to hang out with, so I figured Sam would be a good alternative to anyone else.
Now, I will do something I don't usually do on longer stories, review responses.
Livi-hall-9279: Thanks, I hope you liked this one as well.
1Timberwolf: thank you.
Jasondilaruntisfan260: It was actually.
Dollashot: No, it was talking about Sierra in the picture.
But anyway, thank you guys so much for reading this chapter if you liked it, please fav, follow and review, and I'll see y'all later!