By late afternoon, Kiki had qualified the car, and as almost everyone had expected, she had run near the top. After seeing the qualifying, those that remembered her were figuring that she could give anybody on the track a run for the money tomorrow. Fortunately for Mark, the car had only needed a few quick adjustments during the day's running.

Now, it was time to head down to the dirt track and get ready to run the qualifying race for the Coyote, then the new car.

As they walked down to the dirt track, Mark saw that Kiki was on cloud nine. "See, you still have it. I told ya, you'd do good."

She smiled, "Yes, you did tell me that, even when I doubted myself."

"Racing and winning are attitude and confidence; you know that." He smiled at her.

Kiki replied, "Then, you shouldn't have a problem in the world!"

Mark took her in his arms, totally enjoying this moment in their lives, and kissed her long and slow at the front of the first trailer.

A very loud, "Thump" was heard.

Mark, Kiki, and several race teams turned to see that Sammy O'Connell had swung a jack handle with all his might, and had buried it into the bank of dirt just feet from Mark and Kiki.

Mark took off at a fast pace in Sammy's direction. The surrounding race teams and Hardcastle saw what was about to happen and headed toward the two.

Mark stepped face to face with Sammy and asked, "Just what. Is. Your problem?"

By this time, Hamilton and the rest of the crew, had surrounded him, and pulled him away from Mark as comments were being said all at the same time, "Chill out." "We need you." "You have too much to lose." "Don't let them get to you."

Hardcastle had gotten to Mark's side as Sammy was taken back to his trailer. Before McCormick could answer Hardcastle's unasked question, the announcement was made for the cars to take the track to help work it in and get it ready to race.

Hearing the announcement, McCormick started toward the Coyote's trailer at a quicker pace than necessary. Hardcastle followed him to help him. McCormick asked, "You did see that, back there?"

"Yeah. What was it all about?" Hardcastle asked.

"Later, Judge. Just keep an eye on him," McCormick said as he got into the car they had just unloaded.

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After getting the track ready to race, the 'Star Spangled Banner' was played and the 'Pledge of Allegiance' was said, and the Modifieds took the track for their heat race.

Mark lined the Coyote up into the third starting position and waited to take the track. The other cars were good, Mark knew he had to get out front soon. Once on the track, they took a couple yellow flag laps to get the cars bunched up like the race starter wanted. He signalled that they would go green on the next lap. Mark had the Coyote as close as he could to the leader. Even before the green light came on, Mark was on the fuel and ready to come around the leader. He swung low and floored the Coyote when he saw the green. They were side by side going into turn one. The forth place car had pulled a similar move on the high side of the track.

Barbara said, "This track is not wide enough to go four wide in that turn!"

The racers held their lines and came into turn two still four wide. Mark knew the track narrowed soon, so he got into the turn and gave it all he dared. It was enough to put him in the lead. The Coyote had just enough to let Mark work up a considerable lead while the other three cars battled for second place. The drivers in this race were good. They managed to make the whole race without one caution. Mark had won his first race in several years. After the post race inspection, Mark parked the Coyote as the winners' names were being announced over the PA system. He knew immediately that Hardcastle or Barbara had talked to Bonnie.

"And the race winner, our graduate from law school, "Skid" McCormick from Malibu, CA. We'll take about a fifteen minute break before our final race for the evening. By the way, you'll all want to stick around for that race, too. "Skid" McCormick will be racing in that race, too, and he's driving a new design for FBM Johnson Racing. If you weren't here for the qualifying yesterday, you are in for a treat. And, don't forget to visit our concession stands located around the field while you wait on the cars to get ready to put on a great show for you today." The announcer rambled on.

Smiling, McCormick looked at Hardcastle and Barbara, "Which one of you is doubling as my publicity agent?"

Both just tried to look innocent.

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Yeah,I know it's a little short, but there's more to come!