Bud Pole X 2
NNA Notes: Kenny Wallace’s nickname is Herman the German. And yes, his colleagues do call him this. When a driver cannot make it into a race on qualifying time, due to an accident or any other reason, he can make it into the race based on owner points that the team has earned. This is called a provisional. The last seven spots in the starting grid of a race are for provisional starters and a previous champion, should he/she need it!
Chapter 15 Bud Pole X 2
At first, Dale didn’t say anything when Carly finished telling him about her experience. He just stroked her cheek.
“Well, do you think I’m crazy now?” she said.
“Oh, no! No, I don’t. Carly, why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”
“I dunno, I just couldn’t find the right time. But when I saw you crash, it reminded me. Then you mentioned your dad. I really wanted you to know what he said.”
He smiled at her. “That’s incredible.” Then he held her as close as he could, with her still sitting in the seat of her racecar. “Man, I can’t believe I came that close to losing you. I would die if anything ever happened to you. But then…was I that close to losing you? Maybe you were supposed to see my dad – and then tell me what he said. God Carly, I don’t know what to think. I miss my dad so much sometimes.” He had goosebumps. “Look at me. Man, I got chills all over! Wow. And he sent you back to me. My dad. Still looking out for me.” He looked down.
“Do you really believe I talked to him?”
“Do you?” he asked her.
She looked him in the eyes. “Yes, Dale. I really do.”
He looked her in the eyes. “I believe you did too. Carly, thank you for sharing this. It means a lot to me. You know, you can tell me this kind of stuff. I am your boyfriend, you know. You shouldn’t keep stuff from me like this. Just like this morning. If we’re gonna be together, Carly, let me into your life, ok honey? I wanna be there for you. Just like you’re here for me.”
“I know, Dale. It’s not like I mean to keep stuff from you. It’s just that the time never seems to come up to talk about this stuff. Look where we’re having this talk right now!”
He laughed. “I know. Well, it’s as good a place as any, right? Now, is there anything else you need to tell me?”
“Not that I can think of…at this moment.” She pulled him close and kissed him. “Thanks for being here for me.” She whispered.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else, baby. Oh, and Carly – I think you ought to tell Kyle about this too. I think he’d find some comfort in hearing this.” Dale said. Carly agreed.
She smiled. “I guess we should get out of the car now, huh?”
“Yeah!” Dale laughed. He kissed her again. He climbed out of the car, and helped her out. There was a reporter standing and waiting, talking with Scotty.
“Here she is! And here’s Junior too!” Scotty said.
“Hey! Dick.” Carly said. Dick Berggren from Fox Sports was there.
“Hey yourself, Carly. Congratulations on your Bud pole! And Junior, it’s good to see you’re ok. Can you tell us what happened out there?”
“Well, Dick, I just lost control. Hit the wall. You know, just one of those things. I’ll have to take a provisional, but me and the #8 crew, we’ll get to the front of the pack on Sunday. That is if we can get around the #81 car!” he laughed.
“Which brings us to your remarkable qualifying laps, Carly. Not only one, but two?? Tell us, why the second lap, when you already had the pole?” Dick asked.
“Well, the first lap was for me and my crew. They gave me a fantastic car. Otherwise, I couldn’t have done it.” She looked up at Dale. “The second lap was for the #8 car and crew. That car was identical to mine. Both of our teams work so closely together. They worked so hard on the #8 car. I know he would have had a pole sitter too. I want them to know, that their hard work paid off. If Dale Jr.’s backup car is as good as the primary, which I believe it is, well, he and I just may be battling for the lead on Sunday. Thank you DEI for the best racecars on the track!” She grinned.
“Wow! What a story. Thank you Carly, and Dale Jr., and we hope we do see both of you in the lead on Sunday, here in Atlanta.” Dick finished.
Dale looked at Carly. She could see his eyes moisten. “You did that for my crew?” he said.
“We’re a team, remember, Bud Boy? You asked me to win the pole, remember? Well, your crew deserved it, just as much as mine. So did you. So, as they say on TV, this Bud’s for you!” she smiled.
Dale didn’t know what to say. He hugged her tight. She finally had to push him away. “I love you.” He whispered. She winked back at him.
“I take it qualifying is over by now?” Carly asked.
“Yep.” Scotty answered. “We better get back to pit road, I believe you have another award waiting for you!”
~~**~~
Carly got her award. Dale’s #8 crew was there too. They had seen what she had said on TV. After she hugged and congratulated her crew, Tony Sr. was waiting for her.
“Honey, that was very special.” He gave her a hug. “It meant a lot to the crew. But you don’t have to risk your self or your racecar like that.” He smiled.
“Tony, I did have to do it. You know how that goes.” She smiled. “Just be happy, ok? You guys deserve it. Right Guys?” she yelled over to Dale’s crew. They cheered, and all gave Carly a hug.
When that was over, she and Dale had a little spare time before another autograph session. They went back to his coach. They both stripped out of their fire suits to get more comfortable.
“Mmm – want another back rub?” She asked him, when he finally finished kissing her.
“I dunno – can you be gentle?” he laughed.
“I can be anything you want me to be!” she teased, letting her hands do a little exploring…
“Oh man, Carly, you’re a naughty girl!” he laughed.
“Oh, is that how you want me to be?” she laughed back, as she tried to remove his boxer shorts.
“Car-LEE!” he laughed. “What are ya doin’?”
She pushed him back onto his bed. “Just shut up and relax, Bud Boy!”
~~**~~
Eventually, it was time to go to their autograph session. They were supposed to meet Steve and Kenny in the media center. They had arrived a couple of minutes late. Steve and Kenny gave them a funny look.
“Herm, Steve-o, how’s it going?” Dale said.
“Apparently not as good as it’s going for you, Bud Boy. Steve, do you see the look on his face?” Kenny asked.
“Ahem. I’m looking at the look on Bud Girl’s face.”
“Steven!” Carly held a finger up to his face. “Choose your next words very very carefully!” she lectured. “Herman, you too!” They all laughed.
“OK! Anyone here for an autograph?” Kenny yelled. The crowd went wild. They signed for about two hours. Then they had a practice session. When that was over, they had about a half an hour before it was time to get Pamela and the ARCA car ready to race.
