Chapter 49: The Final Gamble

The roar of the engines reverberated through my cockpit as we entered Lap 19. Luca was just ahead of me, chasing down Liam Hargrave and Ayumu Tanaka, who were locked in a fierce duel for first place. I had a clear view of the chaos ahead, and an idea began to form in my mind.

"System," I thought, tightening my grip on the wheel, "what's the point count?"

"Nineteen points," the system responded. "You'll earn 25 if you complete all laps, but with your current placement, no Override this race."

I smirked. "We'll see about that. Let's change the game."

Laurent's voice came through my radio. "Henry, what's your plan here? Don't overdo it."

"Trust me, Laurent. I've got something up my sleeve."

I moved up alongside Luca, temporarily overtaking him into P3. "Henry!" he exclaimed over the radio.

"Relax, Luca," I said calmly. "Follow me. I'm going to get you into P1."

With Luca right behind me, I set my sights on the two leaders. Liam and Ayumu were battling tooth and nail, their focus entirely on each other. I closed the gap steadily, using the ART car's superior cornering ability to gain fractions of a second on every turn.

As we exited Turn 10, I feigned a dive to the outside.

It worked. Both Liam and Ayumu reacted, pushing their cars out wide to cover the perceived threat.

The gap opened like a door being thrown wide.

"Luca, now!" I shouted.

He didn't hesitate. My teammate shot through the gap like a bullet, his car slicing cleanly between Liam and Ayumu. As he passed, he gave me a wave of thanks, his car pulling into the lead.

The crowd erupted in cheers and gasps.

"Did you see that?" the commentator shouted. "Henry Calder just orchestrated a masterclass in team strategy! Luca Moretti takes the lead!"

I grinned, but my work wasn't done. Both Ayumu and Liam quickly refocused their efforts on me, cutting off any chance of me following Luca through the gap.

"Nice move, Henry," the system chimed. "But they've got you boxed in now."

For the next three laps, I was stuck behind Liam and Ayumu. They were faster on the straights, but I had the edge in the corners. Every time I tried to find an opening, one of them would shut it down.

"Henry, patience," Laurent advised. "You've done your part for Luca. Now focus on P3. One mistake from them, and you're in."

I nodded, my eyes darting between Liam's rear wing and the apex of the next corner. Up ahead, Luca had pulled a comfortable lead, cruising toward an uncontested victory.

"Lap 23 complete. Twenty-three points," the system updated. "Time for a miracle?"

As we entered the last lap, I received the team order I'd been anticipating.

"Henry, push for podium. You're clear to fight."

The gap to Liam was less than a second, but Ayumu's presence ahead of him made things tricky. My only chance was in the final two corners, a section where precision and bravery were everything.

I took a deep breath. "Alright, let's do this."

In Oklahoma, Henry's parents were glued to the television. The camera cut to my car as Henry approached the final corners, and his mom, Laura, clutched at my his's arm.

"Luke," she said, her voice trembling. "What is he doing? He's too close!"

Luke didn't respond. His eyes were fixed on the screen, his jaw tight. He knew what I was attempting, and he wasn't sure if it would work.

The commentators filled the silence.

"Calder is lining up something extraordinary here! He's right on Hargrave's tail, this could end in disaster or glory!"

The grandstands were alive with anticipation. Fans leaned forward, holding their breath as my car darted closer to Liam's rear wing.

"Calder's going for it!" one fan shouted.

"This is insane," another murmured.

I entered the penultimate corner with laser focus, my heart pounding as I plotted my move. Liam stayed defensive, hugging the inside line, but I knew he'd have to leave a small gap on the exit to maintain speed.

As we approached the apex, I faked a wide entry, making it look like I was setting up for an outside pass. Liam bit the bait, shifting his car slightly to block the outside.

That was my moment.

I dove to the inside, my tires skimming the curb as I slipped alongside him.

"Henry, watch it!" Laurent shouted in my ear.

Liam reacted too late. His car swerved toward me, but I held my line, threading the needle between him and the edge of the track.

The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and gasps.

"Unbelievable! Calder has pulled off a death-defying overtake on Hargrave!" the commentator roared. "How did he even fit his car through that gap?"

Liam's car wobbled slightly, forcing him to back off. I emerged from the corner in third place, Ayumu just ahead in second.

As I sped down the final straight, I kept my focus, ensuring Liam wouldn't have a chance to counterattack. The checkered flag waved ahead, and I crossed the finish line, securing third place.

"P3, Henry!" Laurent shouted. "Fantastic job. What a move!"

The commentator announced the results as the cars crossed the line.

"And there you have it, folks! Luca Moretti takes the win in spectacular fashion, Ayumu Tanaka in second, and Henry Calder rounds out the podium with one of the most daring overtakes we've ever seen! What a start to the season!"

I exhaled deeply, my grip on the wheel loosening as I processed the chaos of the last lap.

"Henry," the system said, its tone almost impressed, "twenty-four points. Override isn't active, but that was something special. Well done."

"Thanks, system," I muttered, a grin spreading across my face.

As I rolled into the cooldown lap, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. My first sprint race, and I was already on the podium. The season was just beginning, but this was a moment I'd never forget.