Page 176

I did one badassburnout that put all other burnouts to shame in my book. Then, I got out of thecar on the start finish line and retrieved the checkered flag from the raceofficial, the same official I’d threatened to shove the black flag up his ass.

He was still a littleupset about that.

The fans were screamingmy name and patting me on the back as I made my way into the stands. This wasanother one of those moments I couldn’t describe. These people, these fans,they are what make all of this possible. Without them, we wouldn’t have theseraces. Without them, I wouldn’t be here, living my dream.

Right here, in thiscrowd full of intense excitement, I realized my dream came true and I wouldrememberthis moment, forever.

This wasn’t justanother victory. This, winning a championship, defines your career as a racecar driver. Some spend their entire careers chasing the championship dream andnever achieve it. But here I was, twenty-three years old, a champion living mydream.

The drive down pit roadwas long, as every driver and their crew stood alongside their pits andcongratulated me, one by one. Talk about emotional. It brought me right back tothe emotion I felt after winning the USAC Triple Crown, the Chili Bowl MidgetNationalsandthe Coca-Cola 600.

I was beginning tounderstand the way Sway felt when she watchedFather of the Bride.

Once I was in victorylane, my dad was the first to lock me into a hug. “You did it! I...have no words...just...youdid it!” he kept repeating as he held me against him.

“No dad,” I choked. “Wedid it.” I motioned toward him and the rest of the team. We both smiled.

Spencer was there aswell, patting me on the back.

Up until this point, Iwas proud of myself for keeping my composure. But having your legendary World ofOutlaw Champion dad, tell you he’s proud of you, made my composure crumble asdid his. Fuck being a badass.

Reporters were in myface. “Jameson...Jimi...how does it feel to win your firstchampionship in your first season?”

Dad spoke up first. “Youknow, today, I’m not a car owner. I’m not a fellow driver. I’m just averyproud father.” He choked out pulled me into a hug. “I knew he had it in him.”

I was glad to know Iwasn’t the only one having some troubles controlling the emotions today.

“So Jameson,” thereporter turned toward me. I was leaning up against the side of my car becausereally, my legs were shaking so badly I needed the support. My entire body washumming with excitement. “How does it feel for you?”

How did I feel?

My gaze took ineverything around me. The trophy I said I didn’t want looked pretty fuckinggood, my team, Bobby’s and Tate’s team huddled around knowing they helped us inmany ways, the champagne, the fireworks, the screaming fans, it was all so muchmore than I envisioned it would be.

I couldn’t really graspthe meaning behind it, my mind was reeling but eventually I found my words. “Ihave no idea what the hell to say...I’mjust beside myself in all this...it’sunbelievable. I’m so proud of everyone on this race team who supports us.Simplex, we couldn’t have done this without you. My family...we may not have had the best year andthough it felt like we were constantly being black-flagged we pulled throughthis because of them. So thank you. Everyone, thank you so much,” I lookeddirectly at the camera, knowing she was watching. “Sway, honey...I couldn’t have doneanyof thiswithout you.” I blew her the kiss she requested of me. “I love you.” I winkedat the camera.

“Did you have yourdoubts you could pull off the victory and the championship today?” The reporterleaned in when the team tossed Kyle around, all thriving in the excitement ofvictory lane.

“Fuck yeah I had mydoubts!” I laughed, not only had I just cursed on national television but Iearned a laugh from everyone standing around me. “I have a family and a teamthat supports me. They pushed me to follow my dreams. I can’t thank themenough.”

The crowd roared tolife as the reporter held up my arm. “Ladies and gentlemen, your NASCAR WinstonCup Series Champion...Jameson Riley!”

I really had no ideawhat to say but as I glanced over at my team celebrating, I thought abouteverything that went into this season, it was more than just me. The one thingI hoped for most of all from winning this championship was that everyone whostood beside me and helped along the way, like Bucky Miers and Tate, just toname a few. I hope they understood they are part of what I do and always willbe.

When I won a race, itwas not just for me, or my dad as the car owner, or even our sponsors.It was for everyone and I hope they felt the same excitementand gratifying feelings we felt with winning this championship. The guys thatbusted their ass each week just to get this car to the track, they deservedthis just as much as I did. They were the ones that should have been holdingthe trophy right now.

At the end of the day, when it comes down to it, when thedream is reality, what next?

I’ll tell you what’s next...you keep dreaming. You keep dreamingbecause without that what are we? Just a bunch of inert bastards is what we’dbe.

That’s not me, far from it. I wanted everything. With myaggression, my desire, my determination, I didn’t know when to say when.

I fought, I gave in, I decided fate and I can honestly saywith every fiber of my being that I gave it everything I had.

I wanted the championship, I wanted the girl and I wanted tomake her happy right now into happily ever after.

And that started with a wedding.

21.SWOL– Jameson