CHAPTER 9

THE PRE-FINAL

Tony and Dad worked on the kart until it was time for the pre-final.

When the loudspeaker announced that the race was about to begin, Jon walked over. He and Tony high-fived.

“Good luck out there, Tony,” Jon said. “Remember what I said. We’re driving, not just racing.”

“I know,” Tony said. “Thanks. Good luck!”

Then Tony drove the kart out to the starting grid. The grid positions were the same as they had been for the qualifying race. Devin was first, Corey was second, and Jon was third.

Tony was last. All that racing and things were still the same.

The official raised his flag.

Wait for it.

Go! Tony pressed his foot down on the accelerator.

He felt nervous. He knew this was his last — and only — chance to make it to the finals.

The race had fifteen laps. He tried to think about Jon’s advice — drive, don’t race. Concentrating hard, Tony pushed harder on the accelerator.

All four karts roared down the straightaway. Devin pulled into first. Jon was right on his tail. Then came Corey, and finally, Tony.

Devin pulled into the Lefty. Jon, Corey, and Tony followed him in a line. They were so close together, with hardly any room between their karts!

Tony suddenly knew that it was going to be a very close race.

Jon tried to pull around Devin in the straightaway, but Devin moved over just far enough so that Jon couldn’t pass. Then Devin turned into the Swing Back. Jon pulled back behind Devin as they rode around the long turn.

Tony found himself hoping that Jon would win.

Corey unexpectedly moved right to try to pass Jon in the next straightaway. Tony pulled back slightly. He didn’t want to spin out or end up in the grass just because Corey was driving crazily.

But Corey had to pull back into the line. In and out of the Hairpin turn they drove, and then they hit the Double S. Left, right, left, right. No one in their right mind tried to pass there!

One more turn and they were back to the start. Devin was still first. Jon was still second. Corey was still third.

And Tony was still last. But he still had fourteen laps to go!