Later that night, Clark pulls his car out of the pits and on to the track for the feature race. He starts in 8th place, where he qualified. The green flag drops and Clark puts his foot on the gas, taking off with the rest of the field. By the half-way point in the race, Clark makes it up to fourth place and is closing in on the third place car.
Two cars race hard in front of the leader in fear of being lapped. One of the cars loses control in the middle of the turn, tagging the back end of the other car he's racing. Both cars spin out, briefly blocking the track. This causes the first three cars to brake and slow down. Clark sees this and swerves high, passing the third place car. The caution comes out before Clark can pass any more cars.
The green flag comes back out and the cars are back to racing. The laps winding down puts some pressure on Clark, causing him to race harder. Within a few laps, he catches second place and passes him easily on the high side.
Second place. Just one more position to go, and I'll be in the lead.
With five laps to go, Clark is right on the bumper of first place, car #12. Clark gets closer and closer, until he gives the #12 car in front of him a slight bump. The bump makes the car slide up the track, giving Clark enough room to scrape by.
First place! Just four laps to go…
The #12 car swerves madly behind him, trying to pass. With only two laps to go, he finally outsmarts Clark and gets by. Clark stays right with him and doesn't let him get away. The last corner of the last lap, Clark gives it all he has and tries passing him high. The #12 car is just too much, and beats Clark.
Clark pulls off the track and into the pits. Todd is there, waiting at the trailer and Clark parks the car.
"Hey, second place! That's good!" Todd congratulates Clark as he gets out.
"Yeah, but I should of won." Clark tells him, disappointed.
"Second place is really good for just your second race, Clark. A lot better than I could ever do." He says with a laugh.
"I guess." Clark agrees. "I'll get them next time, though. You can count on it." Clark promises him.
"That's the spirit. Hey, I got the car. You don't have to stick around, if you want." Todd tells him.
"Alright. See ya later, Todd." Clark says and walks toward the stands.
"Hey! Clark Kent!" Someone calls his name and Clark turns around. Someone around his age walks up to Clark.
"Yeah?" Clark asks.
"The names Jimmy Olsen. I drive that #12 car you almost beat…" He tells Clark.
"Oh hey! Nice race, congratulations." Clark says and shakes his hand.
"Thanks. You didn't do so bad yourself." Jimmy thanks him.
"Could have been better." Clark smiles.
"Yeah well, then I wouldn't have that first place trophy." Jimmy laughs. "So, you're from Smallville?"
"Yeah. I'm a senior at Smallville High." Clark tells him.
"Cool, I'm a senior here at Grandeville." Jimmy says.
Clark! Good race!" Lana runs up to Clark and kisses him.
"Hey, thanks." Clark smiles and puts his arm around her. "Jimmy, this is Lana. My girlfriend." Clark introducers her.
Lana smiles at Clark for his last comment before turning to Jimmy.
"Nice to meet you." Lana says politely.
"Same here. I'm Jimmy Olsen, the guy that barely beat your boyfriend here." Jimmy tells her.
"Ok Jimmy, we have to go. I'll see you around." Clark says and they slap hands.
"Yeah, nice talking to you." Jimmy says before walking off.
"So does that second place get a reward?" Clark asks and kisses Lana again.
"I don't know, how about we get home and you'll see." Lana smiles seductively.
"I have strict orders to just drive you home." Clark tells her.
"Well, you'll just have to come in to my apartment and tuck me in." Lana says, putting her hand on his chest and looking in to his eyes. The look that makes Clark just melt.
Clark kisses her lips softly. "Come on." Clark tells her and leads her away.
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Clark drives Lana home in Lex's silver Aston Martin. They are just a few miles outside of Smallville on a small country road.
About twenty-five feet in front of them is a gravel truck hauling a large load of gravel toward the Smallville Quarry. The truck hits a large bump in the road and a few rocks tumble out. Clark doesn't notice this and keeps following the truck. Lana screams as three glowing rocks shatter through the windshield. Clark starts feeling weak and he looks down, noticing the meteor rock containing kryptonite in his lap. The kryptonite is too much for Clark and he slumps over the steering wheel, causing the car to swerve off the road.
"Clark!" Lana screams as the left side of the car slams in to a tree trunk. The Aston Martin flips over in mid air and slides across the ground on its roof. Inside the car, Clark is hung upside down by his seatbelt, unconscious. Lana has a few scrapes and bruises on her face, but is ok.
"Clark, are you ok?" Lana asks and doesn't receive a response. She hurriedly unsnaps her seatbelt and climbs out of the car. Lana runs over to Clark's side and tries to unsnap his seatbelt. It seems to be stuck. Gas begins to leak out of the gas tank. Lana notices this and gets more flustered, struggling with the seatbelt.
No! Please don't take him away from me!
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