Robert turned right at the sign flaunting the quickest track. There wasn't any form of sluggish vehicles, so he raised a dust storm behind him, blew through the grass parking garage and went directly toward the pit entryway. He felt like a special entering the zone saved for race vehicles and their drivers. What had still appeared to be a dream when he got up that morning, was becoming a reality, and reality made him anxious.

Patty's vehicle was in the same spot the last time he came, it was not a coincidence. It didn't feel right without the smell of race fuel, columns of vehicle haulers, team members and...