[Obie]

Originally Posted by badgerfan onthegas7j I just want to say thank you for what you do for all of us. You be safe sir.

I also wish you stay safe over there & thank you for your servioce to our great country.

This might not be the right place to put this, but he can write a pretty good story when he sets his mind to it. Hope you don't mind I posted it here, Jaryd.


A young man takes a deep breath and unzips his helmet bag. He grabs his red and white helmet and carefully sets it in the bag. He places his gloves, in the bag as well and zips it up. He's done this many times before, from quarter midgets, to stock cars.

The night will likely go as it does every other night but this one is different. His father tells him he loves him, tells him that he's proud of him. He gives his father a hug as he grabs his things to leave. The black simpson bag in hand he opens the door and looks back, he gives his dad a wink and walks out.

The summer sun beats down on him as he gets into his truck. He starts it up and pulls away from his house. Headed to somewhere thats a completely different world than his beloved race track. He feels a sense of calm as he goes down the road.

The open fields, and cold persona chill him as he looks at the names. The stones of marble and grey, they spand across the field. He pulls to a stop and looks to see that familiar name. A stone marked Heddins with a car and a 3h on it. Tears well up in his eyes, so he pulls his sunglasses from the bill of his cap. He slowly walks to the marble bench, and sits and lights a cigarette. He says the only words that come to his mind.

"Michael, it's been almost 2 years, and I still miss you. I see Bailey and it's amazing to see how much he's just like you. The races aren't the same, the parties aren't the same it's just so weird. Tomarrow is the day, and I've come to grips with my decision. I just hope your proud of me. I'll try and win one for ya. I know you'll be rootin for me."

As the young man walks away, he gestures to the sky with a three. He gets in his truck and leaves. He turns on the radio and puts in his favorite cd, he uses it to focus, on what lies ahead of him that night. He arrives at the track, and signs in like so many times before, the lady asks the spelling of his name, just like she does every week.

The car is unloaded and he climbs in for hot laps. He feels comfort in the car and gets faster with every lap. A smile from his friend as he climbs out and checks the tire pressures. "You looked damn good man." He smile and tells him thank you. He sits and he waits, talks to his friends, and eats. Finnally its time to race, and the butterflies gather inside.

He runs a good race puts it solidly in the show. He feels a sense of accomplishment, the first night in a different kind of car. He works on the set up a little, little tweeks will do. He sits and thinks about the next one, wonders what is in store.

The feature is run, and he finishes well, a win would have been nice, but a sixth will have to do. He sits and drinks a beer, with friends he'll leave behind. For tomarrow he starts a new chapter in life. The pride he feels is deep, and he can not break his smile. He tells his friends he loves them and he'll see them soon enough, he gets in his track and leaves the track. Tears fill his eyes and as gets on the highway towards home. He knows he'll miss the people and memories, but he thinks it's all for the best.

He gets up the next morning, still buzzing from the night before. Happy that he could do it, he tells his dad of the night. He drives to meet his shuttle, and heads to St. Louis for departure. Today he'll leave his loves behind in search of his new path.

He's leaving for boot camp, he knows he'll make it through. He becomes a marine in a short while, and he'll return to his home a new man, but doesn't know what else life may hold. He gives his dad a tearful hug, tells him he loves him. His father leaves and the boy goes forward on to San Diego. He will return to his friends and family, and the race track he loves so dear.