Saturday, January 15 – Tulsa Expo Raceway
Chase makes his way to the top of the turn, taking a deep breath as he watches the first C-main roll onto to the track. Seeing Alex start at the front, he knew he just needed to put together a solid run and he'd be moving forward into the next event.
"Hey, are you okay?" Chase hears, catching his attention as he glances to the left. He simply nods his head in response.
It wasn't the only comment he heard standing there, with others asking how he was, offering their thoughts on his wild ride, and glad to see that he was okay. However, it all went over his head as all that mattered was the No. 55 Midget on-track right now.
Alex started off strong, breaking out to the early advantage. A couple restarts followed, and he dropped back to second, but that was all. He was able to hold his own on the bottom with a healthy advantage, remaining second to the checkered flag.
"Hell yeah!" He lets out, knowing that was certainly going to keep spirits rolling high moving forward.
There wasn't much downtime that followed, in knowing the first B-main on-track would feature a couple contenders that caught Chase's attention. Considering ll the helpful advice and conversations over the past month, it would be nice to see Brad Sweet experience some success. Unfortunately, it didn't start out strongly with him spinning on Lap 9, one spot out of a transfer position.
The spin wasn't the only thing on Chase's mind, though, as he focused on the familiar No. 55 in hopes Alex would keep the good times rolling. Although he made some moves early, he was unable to do so in the second half with the top line not coming as warranted. An 11th for him, and a 15th for Brad were certainly not the warranted results.
"I'm happy," Alex states as he makes his way up to the top ramp as quickly as he can afterwards, standing alongside Chase. He wanted to sneak up with arms wrapped around, but knew there was way too many eyes to do that without causing something obvious. "I just wanted to make the C and I accomplished that. To be amongst the top guys in the B, and all hope only lost due to unfavorable track conditions – not bad for a guy that does this once a year."
"I was impressed by your driving – for the record," Chase offers, with a wink as Alex just smiles back in response. "Now let's hope the boys accomplish the job for the boss."
"I have confidence based on where they're starting. CJ knows what he's doing - he'll be fine." Chase couldn't argue with that, in seeing CJ starting on the pole following his third on prelim qualifying night. Knowing Jake started in fifth not many spots behind him only increased the faith in what could transpire here shortly.
The race takes the green flag, with CJ breaking out to the early advantage. However, it didn't last with him dropping back to second in the early stages. Alex took a couple deep breathes, knowing seventh or better was all they needed. It was why he was hoping Jake kept pushing, only one spot out of transferring.
"Kaylee fucking Bryson!" Alex lets out in watching Kaylee tear through the field, using the high line to make her move towards the front, including getting by CJ in the process.
"Fuck she can drive," Chase comments, to which Alex couldn't help but nod his head in response. He had heard a lot of praise for her, but was certainly very impressed by the performance she was putting together.
It seemed everything would go smoothly – solid top-five for CJ, Jake barely making it as he battled for one of the final transfer spots – until the caution flew with three laps to go for Kasey Kahne going around.
"And now shit will hit the fan," Alex comments, the nerves obviously getting to him as he began pacing slightly. Chase couldn't help but chuckle in watching him, though also loved seeing the passion that he had.
Alex's prediction was right, though, with his crew chief Jason McDougal getting run over by Alex Bright and turned around off the restart for 10th. The pair couldn't help but chuckle as Jason offered the famous middle finger gesture in return.
The restart would produce more contact, with another driver going around mid-pack. Jake would slow for the caution, with the driver behind him not doing so, contact happening with a spin.
"Will they give him his spot back?" Chase wonders to which Alex shakes his head no, visibly frustrated. Without the contact, he would have easily had both cars in the show. "That's fucked up."
"That's what you get when you race with a bunch of dumbasses," Alex lets out, knowing Jake wouldn't be too pleased about it afterwards. "It is so easy to pay attention to what's going on, but you've always got one shithead that doesn't know how to do that."
"Like Aric (Almirola) on restrictor plate tracks?" Alex lets out a sigh, not even wanting to think about that as finding himself involved in a wreck at three of the four tracks last year with Aric was not fun.
Although Jake was unable to make up much ground afterwards in finishing 13th, CJ kept consistent through the multiple restarts for a third to put himself in the show. Ultimately, he would start 16th - but any spot among the 24 starters was better than none at all.
"It's nice to see all of your hard work pay off," Chase comments afterwards, offering a high-five to Alex to which he easily accepts. "Now let's hope CJ puts together a solid run."
"If anyone can do it, he's the man for the job," Alex replies as they head back to the pits together. "Everybody talks about Thorson, Kofoid, Courtney, but you have to put CJ in that same group. The man has more talent than most realize."
The track preparations took longer than everybody thought, but it was a thankful feeling for the entire ABR squad as they went through CJ's car top to bottom to ensure that he had the best piece possible for the main event.
Starting 16th, CJ was able to make his way through the traffic, scoring a seventh-place finish for the Hard Charger Award. There was a big smile planted on Alex's face, followed by hugs and fist pumps in knowing that was their best performance at the Chili Bowl as a team. Obviously the decisions this past winter had paid off and Alex knew the continued dedication could see them experiencing the same magic as Tanner Thorson was in winning.
Chase didn't see much of CJ's big run, with his eyes focused on the front of the field. There was surprise in seeing Kyle Larson unable to find a real rhythm, still struggling to find the smoothness they wanted en route to seventh. There was also shock in watching Christopher jump the cushion a couple of times, ultimately costing himself the win en route to second.
While it wasn't the Chili Bowl he wanted for himself, seeing the excitement in the run to the checkered as well as the cream rise to the top just motivated him more to get better for next year to come back even stronger.
The boys elected to stay in Oklahoma that night, knowing flying after the long day probably wasn't warranted. However, they didn't stick around long in the morning in leaving early to head back to North Carolina.
After landing in Charlotte, the pair got in Alex's truck and made the short drive through town to his house. There was only smiles and chuckles in seeing a familiar Bronco in the driveway upon arriving at the house.
"At least you know Roscoe was taken care of," Chase comments, to which Alex nods his head in agreement. It was nice having someone willing to check in on Roscoe as while Finn loved traveling, Roscoe never faired well and got sick. It was why Roscoe, Fletcher, and it appeared Sturgis has spent the week at the Bowman household united.
The pair were barely out of truck when Ryan came running down the driveway, wrapping both arms around Chase and holding him close. Chase takes a deep breath, knowing exactly where the reaction was coming from as he returned the favor.
"Relax Blaney, I took care of his ass," Alex says as he heads to the front door, ready to go inside.
Part of him wanted to be the jealous kid, suck in all the attention, treat it as the trio they had become, be angry that Ryan seemed to be inserting himself. Though remembering how emotional he was immediately afterwards, he understood Ryan's nerves and was willing to offer the space as warranted. Besides, he got the first hugs, first cuddles, and night time care after it happened.
"I'm okay Ryan," Chase states as he doesn't move from the spot that he is in, knowing the feeling that Ryan was looking for in that moment.
"Are you sure?" Ryan questions as he separates just a little bit to look into the eyes of the man before him. "Are you sure 100% okay?"
"I am little sore and stiff today – as expected, but I am okay." He then places a small kiss on Ryan's cheek. "You don't have to worry about me. I would tell you if something wasn't right."
"Just for the record – you scared the complete crap out of me. I came over here immediately afterwards, hoping you both were coming home last night so I could hug you. Fuck, I almost flew my ass to Tulsa in nerves." Chase couldn't help but chuckle in response as they headed for the front door of the house. It was a reaction that did not surprise him one bit knowing his bestie.
"I don't blame your nerves one bit as I thought I was going to feel a lot worse when it landed after opening my eyes mid-flip and seeing nothing but the grandstands. But I'm fine – I promise you." Ryan nods his head, accepting, as they head inside.