Crashing Into You ?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-HF1YB73bTs 

Alex's POV

Taking a deep breath, I was as comfortable as I would get - or so it seemed - as I tried to relax in the recliner. The pain was there - bearable, though, thanks to those trusty pills that just went down my throat. It felt like I had been lightly punched in the back thanks to those. While that'd normally go away if it happened, this was the case of not going away no matter what.

I couldn't focus on that right now. There was a reason I wanted to ensure I was comfortable with snacks and drinks in hand, dogs have already been let out of the house and returned inside. It was time to focus on the show as everybody knew when you put the combination of Kyle Larson and Eldora Speedway together, you usually got magic.

He was fast through hot laps. He was fast through qualifying. Did either of these things surprise anybody? He is Kyle freaking Larson. He's fast in anything he's drives on dirt. If only I had an ounce of the talent he has in the sprint cars we may be able to make something happen.

Going into the heat, I knew he just needed a top-four finish to transfer to the main. However, this wasn't just anybody. Everybody knew he had a chance at winning. That meant maximizing each time you are on the track to ensure you make the most of the opportunity. Cue a top-two being necessary here to make the invert. I wasn't worried, though, for the same reason mentioned as above.

Seeing him ready to battle Zeb (Wise), I was excited. Zeb had been very impressive this season already and could hold a pretty wheel. He was also one of the nicest guys in the pit area, and had offered a piece of advice at one point for myself. For the record, I was taking whatever anybody offered because we knew I needed it to get better. 

Kyle's ability to rip the top groove of any race track is amazing. It's like he has a special gift that tells me exactly where the cushion is. Then combined with his ability behind the wheel, he can within inches and get just enough to keep the momentum - but not bicycle and cause issues like myself. 

I knew the run he was getting through one and two would be perfect with how Eldora was configured. It'd give him the momentum to get underneath Zeb. Then slide into the corner, a famous slide job across the front wing and we'd be golden. It was just that simple. I wish I could make it happen that easily.

The cushion through one and two. The run off of the corner as he came off the cushion. Right against the wall ready to pass along the high side - forget the crossover I predicted. Zeb got the run through the bottom - he was not going without a fight. He got alongside Kyle, ready to challenge him back. The momentum through three and four should give him the spot though.

Then it happened. Zeb came up a little too much, banging wheels, the right front of the No. 26 coming off the ground slightly. It caught the edge of the wing, ripping it off as Kyle bounced off the wall. Then off the screen as Zeb went into a wild tumble of his own....something so familiar....something I knew too well.....

Deep breathes. Deep breathes. Flips were unfortunately common in sprint cars. Flips seemed to happen more often than not. They didn't always result in injury. He was okay. There was nothing to worry about.

But what Kyle? Zeb had come up enough to catch the wing - that meant his wheel was right at Kyle's left, right by where the little opening was there alongside the driver. What if it caught him? What if it ripped the body apart? What if more than the wing was gone

Deep breathes. Deep breathes. I am over panicking. I am letting my own worries consume my thoughts, rather than thinking like any other sprint car fan would think right now. Why am I driving myself crazy right now?

Finally they show the 57 car and the deep breathes continue as the panic seems to rise in seeing what was left. It begins to leave a little in watching him continuing driving, making his way down pit road. But it begins to come back again. He could think he is alright right now. He could have some ability to drive. But what if that's not the full story? What if there's pain later? What if there's something he isn't showing? What if he isn't okay?

"Officials have disqualified Larson from the heat for driving underneath the red flag," the commentators report - which goes directly over my head. Okay, he is out of the heat race. Okay, he is out of contention. But does that really matter right now? Pretty sure there's other concerns - like the driver himself. Why haven't they showed him walking around the car? Why haven't confirmed both he and Zeb are alright? Why aren't they concerned in the fact another car almost ended up right in his lap? 

Why is this driving me crazy right now? I haven't ever freaked out about a dirt incident ever before. I haven't ever freaked out about any incidents before - and I've ran silver crown cars on asphalt ovals and we know that is said to be the scariest open-wheel thing you can do. I haven't been bothered by anything I have seen at the track over the years. Even a guy getting thrown out of a midget at Chili Bowl didn't shake me up this bad.

Why was this bothering me so much tonight? Why was I so worried about Kyle? 

Deep breathes, deep breathes. He's going to be okay. He will text you soon. He should be back soon. I know I told him he should go see Katelyn tonight and spend time with her and the kids, but damn, I hope he continues to not listen to me. 

I need to make sure he's okay - but why?