HARDER THAN BEFORE
Daniel brought Jimmy over to meet his dad and Josh. Daniel’s father reached out to shake hands with the race car driver.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Dad said. “Daniel and I have spent many hours watching you race.”
“Thanks,” Jimmy said, smiling. “It was a pleasure to have your son on my crew today.”
“He’s a hard worker,” Dad said.
“Mr Turner asked me to work on his pit crew,” Daniel told his dad.
Jimmy nodded. “Your son did a great job today,” he said, “but we still have a way to go.”
“You mean another test?” asked Daniel.
“Well, we don’t let just anyone work in the pit crew,” Jimmy explained. “Besides passing timed tests, each person has to get along with the rest of the crew. And they have to be very hard workers.”
Jimmy paused. Then he went on, “The job isn’t easy. Lots of people work hard to get here.”
“I know Daniel would work hard, like everyone else,” Dad said.
Jimmy nodded. “He’s already shown that he has the ability,” he said. “Now we have to see how well he’ll be able to work with the team.”
Jimmy arranged for Daniel to work with the pit crew for the next few Saturdays. Saturday races were usually qualifying races for the drivers. The big events were held on Sundays.
Daniel looked forward to every weekend. He loved the rush of the race cars zooming by. He loved the way the crew worked together so the car ran smoothly.
Daniel wasn’t allowed to work over the wall during the races. But he still helped the pit crew. Instead of jumping over the wall, he’d stand on top of it. That way, he could pass down supplies that the race car driver and the crew needed.
Daniel quickly became part of the team. One of the jobs he always did was wiping down the tyres. The tyres needed to be cleaned off when they got covered in too much gunk. From his perch on the wall, Daniel reached down with a long-handled broom. He brushed the gunk off the tyres.
He was also a big help to the driver. He found a bucket and attached it to a broom handle. He filled the bucket with water bottles.
From the wall, Daniel reached the bucket toward Jimmy. Then all Jimmy had to do was lean over and grab the bottles.
The heat, the noise, the crowd! Daniel loved it. He didn’t think there was any better place to spend a Saturday than a busy racetrack.
Then one Saturday, Jimmy walked over to Daniel after the race.
“Daniel, can you work the pit crew tomorrow?” Jimmy asked.
Daniel’s mouth dropped open. He couldn’t believe it. “Really?” he asked. “During the real race?”
Jimmy nodded. “I think you’re ready,” he said. “Now, let’s go and find you a pit crew suit.”