Ch. 3 – More preparation
Over the next season, the team traveled to most of the Winston Cup stops. They were not an "official" Winston Cup team yet, so the normal testing rules did not "apply" to them. They tested at all the tracks right after the race had come to town and moved on. They did very well in testing. But as a great driver once said, "Having a good test doesn't guarantee a good race." However, X-Motorsports was going to be better off than most teams when it came to preparation. Soon afterwards, they had built a fleet of 20 cars covering the base of tracks they would race on: "concrete" track cars at Dover and Bristol, flat track cars for places like New Hampshire and Indy, sweeping super speedways like Michigan and California, "restrictor plate" cars for Daytona and Talladega and road course cars for Sears Point and Watkins Glen.
The next dilemma was a sponsor, and what the number would be on the car. Since Xavier was funding the team out of his mass billions, a sponsor actually paying on the car wouldn't be necessary. However, they must look like any other team, lest they lack public support. Xavier contacted an old friend, while the rest of the team began to debate a number.
"I think we should go 01 because we are one team. Since Steve Park's DEI team already has the 1 car spot, lets take the 01." Cyclops suggested.
"Gambit disagree. De already have an 01 team, same wid 02." Jubilee piped up next.
"How about 05? There are like five boys in the boy bands. Why don't we have their number on our car." Everyone groaned. Beast piped up.
"I was leaning towards the number of 00. However, when the Friends of Humanity discover our mutant team, they will undoubtedly attack our double zeros number because we are zeros." Suddenly, the team fell silent. They forgot all about the Friends of Humanity.
"So Cajun, does this mean that NASCAR is gonna discriminate against us too?" Xavier entered.
"I've looked over the rule books for this one, looking for any minority clauses. The official NASCAR rulebook actually encourages minorities and does nothing to prohibit them from joining. However, we will need to do well early to keep public opinion in our favor." With that, the discussion about the FOH ended. Storm offered her suggestion next.
"How about number 23? There seems to be 23 of us here on the original team of X-Motorsports." They all thought about that. Wolverine piped up.
"Good idea darlin.' Just one problem. If we gain more mutants, and damn sure that we will, there will be more that 23 of us. It's a great idea darlin,' but I don't think that it's gonna work for us."
"How 'bout 63? Weren't the originial X-Men founded in 1963? That may work fer us!" The heads began to nod.
"Seein' no opposition, Gambit say dat de 63 is now our number for de Winston Cup seriez. For Busch races, we run 64." Just then, a knock was heard at the front door.
"Ah," said Xavier. "Must be our potential sponsor." They all nervously waited for the individual to come in. Following Xavier in Tony Stark, CEO of Stark Industry. He's also the superhero known as Iron Man of the Avengers.
"Well Xavier, what opponent was so…[Inflating his ego] important that you had to summon the best superhero? Let me guess, Sinister? No, no. Um…"
"Why don't you shut up bub before I rip apart you without your little iron suit?" Stark gulps, and turns to Xavier.
"Well, lets have it."
"Tony, we need the name of Stark Industry on a race car is all. You wouldn't even be footing the bill." Stark looked confused.
"Who's race
team?"
"Ours bub." Replied Wolverine.
"YOU? Starting a…" Stark fainted. Beast leapt to Stark's aid. Stark quickly came to.
"You're starting…a race team? You know what you'll…" He stopped when he saw Wolverine's angry glare at him.
"ALRIGHT FINE! You shall have Stark Industry on the side of the car. Gambit patted him on the back.
"Den as power of Crew chief, Gambit now officially open for racing season, de number 63 Monte Carlo Chevrolet driven by Scott Summers and sponsor by Stark Industry." The all broke out in a cheer.
Sorry, went on vacation, and didn't have a chance to write. Hope you like this, and maybe get some more chapters going faster.