Prologue
Hugging the final turn, my hands grip the steering wheel tighter than they ever have before. The heat from my engine burns hot, but the fire running through my body is pure adrenaline. I’m neck and neck with the driver in the number one spot, but this isn’t his race. It’s mine.
I can do this.
I was born for this.
With only a hundred yards to go, I have less than a second to take the lead and bring that trophy home, where it belongs. I’ve waited my entire life for this. Trained for it. Worked my ass off. Paid my dues and proven that I belong here.
There’s no way I’m going to let this guy take it away from me.
Barreling toward the finish line, everything slows down. The roar of the engine fades away, the crowd blurs out. There is nothing but me, the thud of my heart beating rapidly in my chest, and the checkered flag.
Neck and neck with my opponent, I refuse to back down. We chase one another down the track in this risky and unstable tango, and I’m certain the thoughts consuming me hold him hostage as well.
He wants this bad, but not as much as I do.
As I gain control of the track in front of me, the other driver comes close to sideswiping the wall. He swerves slightly, trying to right his car again, but it’s too late.
That’s all I needed.
That’s all it takes.
A split second of miscalculation or underestimation and you’re done.
As my car flies across the finish line, I look at that checkered flag waving me home. In that fleeting moment, all of my dreams have come true.
And no one can take that away from me.