Page 38 of Black Flag

I had Wes, the pilot ofour private jet, fly Sway home last night after we went out for dinner andspent some time press forging. I couldn’t get enough of her and her amazinglibido. Knowing the influence she had at me, I glanced down when I felt theburn in my stomach.

Yeah, I wish buddy butthere’s no crankcase to bore today...but tomorrow, that’s another story.

After taking a quickshower to wake up, I got dressed for my interview with ESPN. Just as I waswishing I had some coffee, Alley was knocking on the door.

“What?” I snappedthrowing the door open.

“Don’twhatme.”She pushed a steaming cup of coffee toward me as she entered the motor coachwith paperwork. “I brought you coffee.”

“I’m sorry,” I smiledat the steaming heaven. “thankyou.”

Settling the coffee andpapers, she had tucked under her arm, down, her brow furrowed reached for myforehead. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah—why?”

“I’ve never heard yousay you were sorry.”

I shrugged. “It’sprobably the last.”

“You have a busy day.”She pushed my schedule toward me. “You have the interview with ESPN in thirtyminutes.”

I sighed focusing onthe coffee, steam rolled in waves.

I don’t think manypeople realize how much NASCAR has evolved from a weekend pastime to a highlydemanding business. It’s not only Sunday that you have commitments now.

Mondays were usuallyspent recovering from the race. Sometimes I had appearances on behalf of mysponsor, signing autographs and standing for photographs. Tuesdays andWednesday were used for testing the cars at tracks where upcoming races wouldbe held. We usually experimented with the cars, finding just the right setupthat will allow a fast qualifying time on that particular track and then takingnotes of the setup, tire pressures and tire wear to then transfer thatinformation to race-day. Thursdays I would then fly to the track we were racingat for the week. Friday was practice and usually qualifying, depending on whenthe race would be held. If for instance the race was on Saturday night,everything was moved up a day.

At the track, I hadvarious media commitments for my sponsor and then there were the interviewsfrom the press, radio stations, newspapers and the local track.

Saturday was devoted topractice again, called Happy Hour. Despite the name, it was a crazy and hecticrush to get the car ready for the next day as it was our last chance to ensurethe car was perfect. Sunday was race day. My day usually began with asponsorship meeting, attended by fans, where I answered questions about the dayand season or whatever else they decided to ask me.

The drivers meeting washeld two hours before the race and provided NASCAR officials the opportunity toreview important rule changes and other issues that teams had to rememberthroughout the day. Following this, our team gathered for a team meeting in thehauler to discuss what was heard at the drivers meeting since only the driver, crewchief, and owner attend. At times, there was information that we needed to letthe rest of the team know.

Thirty minutes beforethe race, driver introductions begin. Usually I walked across the track, waveto the fans, and then go back to my car to wait for the rest of the pre-raceceremonies to conclude.

There you have it, myweek. And guess what, when the race was over, it all started again Mondaymorning.

Glancing down at thepaper, Alley continued. “Then you have an interview withPeoplemagazineat nine. After that you have the drivers meeting, team meeting, introductions,the race, and then we leave to Olympia tonight.”

I nodded showingenthusiasm for the last part.

“Now remember,” Alleybegan, “Peoplemagazine will ask personal questions, just...becareful. You not only haveyourself to think about, but remember Sway before you go broadcasting personaldetails about your relationship.”

“What kind of detailswill they ask?”

“Well, for one theyaregoing to ask if she’s pregnant.”

“What should I say?”Personally, I knew what I would say to that questions but it wouldn’t bepolite.

“I suggest you deny itfor now.” Alley reached for her keys on the table. “Sway hasn’t even toldCharlie yet. And with everything going on with Darrin...” her gaze held some warning. “I thinkit’s best the media doesn’t find out yet.”

Alley knew what she wasdoing. After all, she was my publicist for a reason.

I despised doing mediainterviews but I knew it was part of the job and learned it early on when Iraced USAC. As soon as you were out of the car, the world was waiting to knoweverything and nothing as none of it even mattered.

I just couldn’tunderstand why they always needed to know such personal information.

ThePeoplemagazine interview was filled with ridiculous questions. How I felt about beingthe best-looking driver in NASCAR? What my ideal date would be? Did I have agirlfriend? Was I going to propose? Do we plan on having kids?

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