The First Time

by DixieDavenport

This was orignally posted as a one shot reply to a challage, but is expandable. This is about phone call in the middle of the night and everyone in the Duke family's 'First Time' at dealing with such things.

74. Off to the Races!

Thanks to WENN9366, I was able to create a Living Journal to put up the starting position posters. You can view it by clicking the link on my profile page to keep up with all the racing action. I will update it with the following chapters to keep you up to date on exactly who is racing who. A picture is worth a thousand words so I thought this would help you follow along.

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Chapter 74 – Off to the Races

Early the next morning, the Duke farm in Hazzard County was a flurry of activity as the boys hurried to take care of the needed morning chores even before the sun started to come up. As soon as they were finished each loaded a small over night bag with a couple changes of clothes into Luke's Torino. Bo and Luke also packed their racing helmets and racing suits. Jeb made sure his racing suit was packed well hidden in his bag. As for his helmet, it would be with Blake and the bike, his bike after this weekend if everything went good.

Soon enough the three cousins were headed toward Placid County Fair Grounds just as the sun dawned. Luke was driving his car there even if he would not be able to race.

Bo asked, "Is Cooter meeting us on the road or there?"

Luke replied, "I talked to everyone else, they said they would meet us there, but Cooter, I'm not so sure what he's doing."

Jeb asked, "Why not?"

"Well, when I asked him if he wanted us to travel together or meet us there, he told me to go ahead and he'd see us there, ... unless he got a better offer." Luke said.

"What did he mean by that?" Bo asked.

Luke shrugged his shoulder, "That's what I'm not sure about. At first I thought he was joshing me, but the more I think about it, I'm not so sure because he told me IF he didn't show, not to worry about him. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if he shows up."

The others agreed with Luke, then Jeb said, "I plan to call and see if we or at least I can get in to see Dad and Karen sometime today or tomorrow since we are in town."

Luke nodded, "Alright, let us know when and we'll try to plan to head over in between races."

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For John Duke Saturday morning was starting pretty much like it had each morning since he'd been in jail. He was awake long before the coffee cart came rattling down the hall. It was only now that he chose to get up and make his bunk before heading toward the table and coffee. With the others still getting up, John took this opportunity to talk to the officer, "I understand they brought my daughter in yesterday for seventy-two hours, ... is there anyway you can check on her for me?"

The officer frowned a bit wondering how a daughter and father could end up in jail at the same time, but replied, "I'll try. I have to take the cart up there too. What's her name?"

John replied, "Karen Ann Duke."

The officer replied as he wrote the name down in a pocket notebook, "I'll see what I can do."

John replied, "I appreciate it."

Most of the other guys in the cell also got up an headed toward the table for their coffee, in fact everyone but Green and Danny were now up. As far as he was concerned Green could sleep until John was released, but there was something personal with Danny. John was determined if the kid was man enough to take liberties with his daughter after getting her to sneak out of the house to meet him, then he was man enough to start acting like a man. John went over to Danny's bunk and layed his hand on his ankle as he said, "Roll out of there son."

Dean and the others had pretty much gathered Mr. Duke's and Danny McCoy's relationship. For some reason, Dean pitied the guy, but another part of him envied him. John Duke's daughter Karen was a looker. It seemed to him that McCoy was lucky to be alive after her father found out what had went down between them, now it seemed that Mr. Duke was trying his best to see to it that McCoy walked a nice straight line, at least while he was around him. Dean gave McCoy credit, he knew not to buck Mr. Duke as he rolled sleepily out of the top bunk.

John reminded, "Don't forget to make your bunk."

Danny had stayed up pretty late last night and didn't sleep all that well even when he layed down so it felt like he had only just now closed his eyes, but he nodded, 'yes' to Mr. Duke as he stumbled to the toilet section of the cell to take care of his morning business. Afterwards he made his way to the table where Dean handed him a cup of coffee, "Thanks." McCoy mumbled. After a few sips of the simi warm brown liquid Danny went to his bunk and spread out his blanket and sheet putting them into some order, then returned to the table to try to wake up.

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In the female cell upstairs, Karen couldn't remember going to sleep, if indeed she had, before the brighter over head lights suddenly came on only seconds before the steel door was unlocked by the officer. As she blinked away the sleep in her eyes she saw the officer at the door, as well as Patty and Sharon each taking cups of something and setting them on the table. Karen was just sitting up and trying to get awake when she heard the officer at the door ask, ...

"So which one is umm, ..." He looked at his notebook, "Karen Ann Duke?"

Karen was surprised to heard her name as Patty was pointing to her. She replied, "That's me. Why?"

The officer replied, "It seems your father is downstairs and asked me to check on you."

Karen smiled, "Tell him I'm fine." There was something about her father, even here, checking on her that made her feel safe.

After the cell door closed, there were many questions that Karen was asked. She took the next little bit explaining why her father was here and had been here since Monday.

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The Duke boys showed up at the track long before the gates were supposed to be open. They saw several food trucks and concession vehicles being routed around the line at the gate they were told to park at. A ways down from them they saw another line forming of folks that must be spectators.

Bo and Luke watched as Jeb kept looking back in the line of competitors they were in obviously watching for someone. So far they had seen some of the other regulars at the Hazzard races pulling in behind them. They had seen Enos Straight, Dobro Doolin, Brodie Smith and Mark McCormick to name a few showing up, but so far hadn't seen hide nor hair of Cooter Davenport.

Finally just before nine o'clock Jeb nudged Luke's arm, "I'll be back in a few."

Luke looked on as Jeb quickly made his way down the line to where a pickup truck had just pulled in hauling two dirt bikes. Luke watched a moment as the two guys talked, then his attention was taken away by a pair of hot pink short shorts and a white halter top that seemed all to eager to get to where she was going. Without looking at Bo, Luke said, "I'll be back, keys are in it if the gates open."

Bo looked after Luke, then back at Luke's car, then to where Luke was heading. "Dang it, Luke!" Bo exclaimed as he hopped up on the front fender of Luke's Torino. Bo knew he couldn't just leave the car there in line in case the gates opened and Jeb had already taken off somewhere.

Luke caught up to the long legged brunette and asked, "Where's the fire?"

"No fire, I just got to get the fliers up front of this line and get them given out before the gates open in a bit." The girl about Luke's age replied.

"Why don't I help ya? Then you'll get done twice as fast." Luke replied.

She replied as they kept walking toward the front of the line. "Sure, if you don't mind. I'm Amber, are you racing this weekend?"

"My car is going to be in several of the races, but I'm not driving it this weekend." Luke said.

Amber asked, "Why not?"

"It's only been a couple weeks since I got some broken ribs. Everyone is worried I'd re-injure them if I raced, so I'll be watching them from the side lines." Luke said.

Amber grinned widely, "Want some company?"

Suddenly, not racing today didn't seem like it was going to be all that bad as Luke replied, "Sure thing."

Amber and Luke continued to talk as they gave out the fliers and had just gotten back to Bo and the Torino when Jeb road up on the bike Blake had brought for Jeb to use. Both Bo and Luke had to check out the bike that Jeb was on. Luke asked just a bit surprised, "So this is the bike you're planning on buying?"

"This is it!" Jeb smiled widely.

Luke and Bo both knew the machine looked to be powerful, but it was Luke who spoke first, "Well, I can sure see why you want it, but why is your friend getting rid of it?"

"Wait until you see his new bike." Jeb replied. "Hey, looks like they are opening the gate.

NARRATOR: "Now folks for those of you who have been to the Placid County Fair, you just may not recognize the fairgrounds today. There are people from all around the State here sitting up for a weekend of fun. They have made a dirt oval track, drag stripe, a motor-cross track, as well as layed out a course for the overland moonshine race.

The Placid Volunteer Fire Department is set up over there with a hot dog stand, right beside them is the Hazzard County Orphanage with a lemonade stand, the Chickasaw County Ladies Club has hot fudge Sundays and wouldn't ya know that Boss Hogg has went whole hog with his BBQ truck. Just past the vendors is where all the cars that will be racing are putting on the final touches and beside them the dirt bikes are getting ready to start the first race."

Bo, Luke and Amber made their way over to where the cars were sitting up, while Jeb took his bike over do some last minute checks on it.

Several minutes later the loud speaker squealed to life, a booming voice began to speak, "Ladies and Gentlemen Happy 4th of July and Welcome to the Annual Tri-Counties Race Weekend. We have a whole weekend of fun lined up for you and tonight we have a special treat, ... Just as soon as it gets dark we will have a fireworks display to celebrate the fourth."

He paused to let the cheers quiet down, then continued. "We need all drivers, crew chiefs and riders to head over to the registration tent for a drivers meeting at this time. For the rest of you, if you don't want to miss any racing action, now is the time to visit the concession stands. The dirt bikes will kick off the events with the first round of the double elimination drag racing event. The last time I looked there were sixteen bikes registered so we're in for a lot of good racing. The riders and drivers are currently drawing positions for their starting positions for all the races. We encourage you to stop over and check out the line ups just as soon the drivers meeting is complete. The next event will be the cars drag race. Then we will move the action over to the round track for the preliminary bike, then car races. We'll finish up today with another round of drag racing. Remember, after the fireworks you'll you'll want to hurry home so you can get back early in the morning. Gates open at ten for the finals of the drag racing, the feature dirt track races, then the overland moonshine race and last but not least the motor-cross event."

Jeb joined Bo and Luke as the three made their way over to the drivers' meeting. Along with going over the rules of the races the drivers each drew a number that would be their starting position in the first round of racing. Jeb drew a number four so he would be racing in the second race against whoever drew the number three position.

Bo and Luke looked around and saw several familiar faces from Hazzard and others they knew from some of the late night races at the lake. There was one familiar face that both noted had not showed up for the drivers meeting, Cooter Davenport. Bo drew the number eleven and would be racing whoever drew the number twelve position.

As they waited for the posters of the starting positions to be put up Bo asked, "Think we should call back home and check on Cooter?"

Something in the way Cooter had told Luke not to worry if he didn't show up, told Luke that such a call may throw a monkey wrench into whatever plans their friend had for the weekend. "I think that is the last thing Cooter would want us to do." Luke winked at Bo as he saw Bo would be racing Joe Fox from Placid County.

Jeb was checking out the bikes starting lineup to see he'd be racing Jeff Ward from Chickasaw County. Jeb had heard of him, but had never went up against him.

Luke asked Jeb since he had grown up in Placid County, "Do you know this Joe Fox?"

"I've heard of him. I think he's more your age, but I've never seen him race." Jeb said.

Luke put his arm around Amber, "It's going to be awhile before Bo will need to get lined up. Want to head over and see just how good my other cousin is on two wheels?"

Amber smiled back at Luke, "Lead the way."

In the first race of the day, Charlie Sun and Andrew Short went up against each other with Charlie Sun winning the first round.

Jeb and Jeff Ward moved up to the starting line, both signaled they were ready for the Christmas tree to be activated. As the lights lite up and went to green, Jeb was off the line first taking an easy lead over the other racer, a lead which he was able to hang on to until he reached the finish line.

In the third, race Josh Grant beat out Bobby Moore.

In the fourth race, Bo recognized the name of one of the racers, Jamie Dobbs. He had went to school with Jamie's sister Jill.

Jeb however recognized the racer that Dobbs would be going up against, Matt Kinnison. From everything Jeb knew about the racer, if he couldn't beat you fair and square, he wasn't against playing dirty to get his win.

Kinnison had a bit more racing experience under his belt than the younger Dobbs, not to mention he had more horses under him so he was able to get the win pretty easily.

The next race was a couple of guys that likely had never entered an official race before since no one knew them. Both looked a lot inexperienced as they came off the start line and it was a wonder that both made it to the finish line without crashing. In the end Gary Jones had beaten Jeremy Lusk and would move on to the next heat.

In the next race was Kevin Windham, Blake and Jeb knew him from other races. He was a bit older than them, he had been riding motor-cross for some time and had been talking about wanting to put in a biker bar up around the Charlotte area. Kevin lined up against Mark Jones from Chickasaw County who had ran a couple of small races. There was no doubt from the start of the race that Kevin would be the winner of this round.

The next race was between James Stewart and Blair Morgan, both were from over in Hatchapee County and seemed to have a running rivalry with each other. Today would be Blair Morgan's turn to win and move on in the competition, while James would move on to the loser's bracket and continue on there.

The final motorcycle race of the morning would be between Jeb's friend Blake Horton and Greg Wilson who had ran only a few races before. Blake took an easy lead over Wilson to move forward in the day's competition.

Announcer: "Well, wasn't that some great racing? Now while the bikes are moving off the track, the cars will be getting ready for their first run of the weekend. That will give the riders time to do a once over on the bikes while the cars show us what they have. Now is a good time to head for those concession booths and support your local vendors."

Bo was already heading for Luke's car when Luke called out, "Just hold up a second there I'm coming with you." Then he turned to Amber, "I'll catch you after this race unless you want to tag along?"

Amber shot the older Duke a shy smile. She knew just how many girls were here at the track today to do just what she was doing. She wasn't about to let someone else move in on this guy because she let him out of her sight. She replied, "I'm good at tagging along."

Normally Luke didn't like a clingy girl, but he was out of Hazzard and would only be in Placid until tomorrow so what was the harm if he wanted someone to cuddle with later. He took her hand and headed toward his car. Once there he insisted on going over it once more before he let Bo move it toward the track.

Bo had drawn the number eleven position, so he would be running in the sixth and final drag race of the morning. He was more than eager to get lined up and try his luck in a real race.

Luke was trying hard to keep Bo grounded, "Bo just hang back there are ten other cars that have to line up first, besides running the last race you can use it to your advantage. Watch the others, learn from their mistakes."

Bo knew Luke was right, but he couldn't help wanting to be in the car and moving. He just plain hated waiting.

Jeb came over to where his cousins were getting ready. "The suns up but the track is still cold. Even with us out there on it there's not much rubber on the track yet so it's not slick yet."

"Thanks, Jeb. Bo go ahead and get suited up. We'll meet you over at the track and get ya all buckled in." Luke said as Jeb, Amber and him started to walk toward where the cars were lining up.

Looking at the line up poster on the registration tent Luke saw several names he knew, some of which he could have done without seeing. In the first race Mike Faykus from a couple counties over would be lining up with none other than Ernie Ledbetter. "They will let just anybody enter these things won't they?" Luke said sarcastically.

Jeb replied a bit confused, "What?"

"Nothing. I just seen Ledbetter is here. I should have figured. Green's not here but I couldn't have a weekend without a thorn in my side." Luke said.

Jeb replied, "As long as it's in your side and not hurting those ribs again you should be good."

"Cute." Luke replied as he watched Ernie and Mike line up.

It was no competition at all, Mike Faykus had money and his car showed how much money was under the hood as he left Ledbetter sitting still.

Next was Enos Strate lining up with Matt Spies. They came off the line together but Enos managed to hold him off to win and move on up in the competition.

Dobro Doolin was the next to race a driver none of the Hazzard crew had ever heard of, Turk Folley. Folley had a car that looked good, but looks can be deceiving. Dobro's car may not have looked pretty, but pretty is as pretty does. Dobro managed to beat Folley by a couple of car lengths.

Luke's friend, Mark McCormick would be the next to try his luck against Jake Peters from Placid County.

Jeb said, "Jake's pretty good."

Luke replied, "Mark's Firebird isn't anything to sneeze at."

As it turned out, both cousins were right, but Mark had beat Jake by only a few feet.

Bo wished Brodie Smith luck as he went to line up against Adam Lilly from Chickasaw County. While this race was underway, Luke and Jeb was getting Bo all hooked up and buckled into the added safety restraints that had been installed for this weekend. Bo managed to look up just in time to see Brodie take the win.

Now it was Bo's turn to move Luke's car up to the line. Luke was busy trying to give Bo last minute advice, which Bo had tuned out a full thirty seconds ago. He watched as Joe Fox moved to the line in his freshly painted shinny blue Torino that was a couple years newer than the one that Bo was in. Bo had no idea what was under the other Torino's hood but knew both cars were likely pretty equal.

Both drivers indicated they were ready for the lights. Jeb was watching both his cousins, the thing that struck him funny was that Luke seemed more nervous right now than Bo did.

When the next to the last light lite up Joe Fox floored his car leaving Bo sitting still. Bo seen the last light turn green before he popped the clutch. This had all happened within a split second as Fox beat Bo to the finish line. Only as Bo Duke was announced as the winner did everyone figure out that Fox had jumped the light.

Luke smiled proudly, "Fox jumped the light and Bo actually didn't react to him pulling out before him. He waited on the light!"

Jeb replied, "Yeah, that was great. Let's head over and look at the posters to see who we will end up racing next. Then I'm gonna call and see when we can sneak out of here for a bit."

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