CHAPTER 1

WEIGHING IN

Tony pushed his kart up to the scale. He was second in line for weighing in, after a kid named Devin. It was Tony’s first race with his new TAG kart.

He loved his kart — he couldn’t help it. The way the red paint was so shiny, and the smooth way it went around curves.

Plus, it was the fastest thing Tony had ever driven.

The thing he didn’t love was being twelve. Sure, turning twelve meant he got to drive a TAG kart instead of his old 80cc kart. Sure, the TAG went super fast and looked awesome. He liked it way more than his old kart. But at least in his old kart, Tony knew he was going to win.

Today, he knew he probably wouldn’t. And he was really, really nervous.

Tony tried to remind himself how much he loved racing. Ever since his mom and dad had split up, he and his dad had spent every weekend either at the track or working on his kart.

His dad had bought him the TAG kart for his birthday two weeks earlier, and they had spent every minute since then getting it ready for today’s race.

Squinting in the hot sun, Tony looked over to the pit, where his dad stood, smiling and talking to other parents. He saw Tony look his way, smiled, and waved at him.

Just then Devin turned around. “Whoa, what is this?” said Devin.

Here it comes, thought Tony. Tony knew the older boys from watching them race for the past few years. They were all fifteen, and they were each a foot taller than Tony was.

“He has a TAG kart,” said Jon, who was behind Tony.

“No way,” said Devin. “This little kid isn’t going to race with us.”

“TAG karts only race other TAG karts, Devin,” said Corey.

“I know that,” Devin said. He rolled his eyes.

“What are you afraid of, a little kid?” Corey asked, smirking at Devin.

“Yeah,” said Jon. “Tony here doesn’t even reach your shoulder.”

“Shut up, Jon. I know that,” said Devin. “I’m fifteen and he’s, like, nine or ten.”

“I’m twelve,” said Tony. He was so sick of being short. No one gave you any respect.

“Simmer down, boys,” said Larry, the tech guy. “Tony, roll your new TAG kart onto the scale. Let me get a look at this baby.”

Tony rolled his kart onto the scale. “Good,” said Larry. “It’s right on the money.” Larry rolled the kart off the scale. “Now let’s weigh you.”

Tony stepped on the scale and looked down at the number. He smiled, knowing that his helmet, neck brace, and rib protector made it seem like he weighed way more than he did.

“Okay,” said Larry. He wrote the number down on his clipboard. “I’ll add some weights so you match these other three guys.” Larry bent over and put two heavy lead blocks on Tony’s kart.

“That’s better,” said Devin. “We don’t want to give him an advantage.”

“Yeah, he could pass you up if he was lighter than you,” said Jon.

Corey laughed. “Are you worried, Devin?”

“No,” said Devin. He reached out to slap Corey. Larry grabbed Devin’s arm.

“Save your energy for the race,” said Larry. “Now scoot. I have other karts to weigh.”

“Okay, okay,” said Devin. “I’m going to the pit. See you guys there.” He looked over at Tony. “Good luck, shrimp,” he said.

It’s going to be a long day, thought Tony.