Chapter Three
The first accident of the day happened after lap 58 when the #10 didn't make the turn and slapped against the wall, spewing car parts and gas all along the track.
The General, who was the closest to the crash, got a little bit of shrapnel in the tire, but somehow managed to get to the pits just seconds before the tire blew.
While his crew was changing out the tires and topping off his fuel, Bo sighed with relief that he had made it, though by the forced pit stop he was now in sixth place and was still dropping!
Finally he was told to go and go he went. Obeying the speed limit until he was out of the pits, and once he was out, he gunned the General and went chasing after his second place position like there was no tomorrow!
Luke was still in the lead, somehow managing to keep it despite the crash!
Glancing back in his side mirror, Luke saw the General pass the #24 car to take the third position spot.
Hitting his radio he said, "The General's comin' up fast, an I don't have enough fuel ta fight em' off fer long."
"We read ya Luke. Come in fer a drink on the next lap." Luke's pit manager said.
Luke nodded his head and had to just sit back as the orange stock car which he had helped build, came rushing by as if his car was standing still.
Luke even barely saw Bo wave at him as he passed by!
"Don't worry Luke, you'll get back in the lead soon." Ray Katron, his pit manager, said.
Sighing Luke didn't do anything except lead his car into the pits for a change of tires and a quick refuel.
The entire pit stop lasted no more than ten seconds and after that, Luke had fresh tires and a full tank of gas.
"Hold, hold,go,go,go,go." Ray said as Luke punched it.
His car going to a slow 60 mph while in the pits and then goosin' it all the way back into the fray.
It took Luke another 40 laps to get back into the second position and stay there.
Just up ahead was Bo, in the General Lee, doing everything he could to keep the lead position.
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"Jus' 402 more laps ta go, Bo. Hang in there." Hannah said to him as he passed the start/finish line again.
Bo smiled slightly as he glanced in the mirror and saw the #51 car blaze into second place.
They had just entered turn two when something happened.
The #51 car's steering broke and sent the car careening into the wall, immediatly catching fire!
Bo who had just come around turn two, putting everyone a lap down, saw the entire thing.
"Luke." He whispered.
Suddenly everything, every arguement, every sour word, even the rift that was between them, was thrust aside in Bo's heart. All of the hurt was frozen and turned to worry. Worry for Luke's safety.
Quickly, Bo brought the General to a stop and hopped out of the car while his own pit crew was yelling at him for stopping, telling him to continue on with the race, but Bo wouldn't and couldn't do that. Not without helping Luke.
Studying the car, Bo saw the flames on the hood and on the back, but somehow the rest of the car looked untouched, for now.
Braving the flames, Bo tore down the driver's net and looked in to see Luke, struggling to get loose from his jammed seatbelt.
Luke, suddenly seeing the bright sunlight, looked to his left and saw Bo standing there, breathing hard.
Offering a small smile to his cousin, Luke was not suprised as Bo reached in with snapped Luke's restraints with his ever trusty pocketknife that he always carried around with him.
Luke then grasped on to his cousin's arms as Bo helped him from the burning car, just as a tow truck and ambulance arrived on the scene.
Clasping Bo's arm, Luke said, "Thanks Bo."
A full fledged smile broke out on Bo's face as he replied, "No problem...cousin."
A smile also broke out on Luke's face at hearing those words.
"Now come on, jus' cuz' I'm out'a the race, doesn't mean you are. Go on, win it fer' the both of us." Luke said, nodding to the General, who still sat, ready to go.
Bo looked from Luke, to the General and back.
"I will. You wanna ride shotgun?" Bo asked, as the cars, now on the lead lap, came rushing back.
"Tell ya what. Next time ya pit I'll be there." Luke promised, holding out his hand to shake.
Bo nodded his head and stood up to his full height.
He brushed Luke's hand aside and hugged him tightly before he turned and ran back to the General, eager to continue on with the race.
While the General roared off, in hot pursuit of the pack, Luke was loaded up and sent to the hospital for an examination to make sure he was alright.