Chapter 51: Race Day Prep

The morning sunlight seeped through the curtains, gently waking Henry from his slumber. He stretched out in bed, feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin as his mind gradually shifted from sleep to race mode. A quick glance at his phone showed a text from Taryn.

Taryn: Good morning, Babe. I wish I was there with you today. Good luck in the race! I'll be watching.

Henry smiled at the message, feeling a surge of energy. He quickly typed back.

Henry: I wish you were here too. It'd be nice to have you by my side today. I'll do my best to make you proud.

As he set the phone down, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous excitement for the race. The sprint race from the night before had been a whirlwind, and today's feature race was going to be a different animal altogether.

Just as he got out of bed, the system chimed in, its usual prompt appearing on his vision.

System Prompt: Good morning, Henry. Today's task is to finish on the podium. 4 attribute points await you. Don't forget to focus on making it a clean race, and remember that you can always rely on your skills.

"Thanks for the reminder," Henry muttered, already feeling the pressure building. The task was simple, finish in the top 3. Easy enough, but the real challenge would be holding off the competition.

Henry quickly moved through his morning routine, stretching, making a quick breakfast, and heading into his daily exercise routine. The system kept track of every step, offering feedback as he completed each task.

System Prompt: Well done, Henry. +2 Speed. +1 Reflex. You're on track for success today. Let's keep it up!

With his workout finished, Henry grabbed his racing suit and prepared for the day ahead. Before leaving, he took a moment to shoot another quick text to Taryn, just to let her know he was heading out.

Henry: Heading to the track now. Hope you're able to watch the race. Talk soon.

As he slipped on his shoes, he was ready. He grabbed his helmet, slipped it into his bag, and headed downstairs where the team car was waiting for him with the driver all prepped to go. Luca was already sitting in the back seat, his hands typing something out on his phone as he glanced up at Henry.

"You ready for today?" Luca asked with a grin, leaning back into his seat.

"Always," Henry replied, his tone light but full of focus. "But this time, I might not let you win so easily, Moretti."

Luca laughed, the sound echoing in the enclosed space of the car. "You think you can take me on? We'll see about that."

"You never know," Henry teased, leaning back in the seat. "But today's the day I'll give you a run for your money."

Luca shook his head, chuckling under his breath. "Well, just don't expect me to go easy on you. I'll be ready."

The drive to the track was filled with light banter, both of them trying to outwit the other in their playful jabs. But despite the joking, the reality of the race was never far from their minds. The energy in the air was electric, and the track was already bustling with activity as they neared the entrance.

Once the car pulled into the paddock, Henry and Luca stepped out, still laughing but scanning the area as they made their way toward the driver entrance. The excitement was palpable, but Henry couldn't help but notice a familiar presence, Liam Hargrove, standing off to the side, glaring at him from across the paddock.

Henry met his gaze and couldn't resist a smirk. The tension between them after the sprint race was unmistakable. Liam's face tightened, and he glared even harder, but Henry simply shrugged and kept walking. He wasn't going to waste his energy on petty confrontations, not today.

Luca, noticing Henry's slight smirk, raised an eyebrow. "I take it Liam's still holding a grudge?"

"Something like that," Henry replied casually, not breaking his stride. "But it's no big deal. Focus is what matters now."

They reached the entrance to the paddock, where the other drivers were already gathering for the start of the race day.

The drivers lined up for the Qatar National Anthem, each of them standing in formation with their hands over their hearts. The crowd's excitement was almost tangible as the music swelled, their cheers filling the air. Henry stood tall, his heart racing not from nerves but from sheer anticipation. He could feel the energy from the stands and his fellow drivers, each of them ready to leave it all on the track.

The anthem ended, and the drivers headed back to their paddocks. Henry's crew was waiting for him, the team already busy finalizing preparations for the race. As he suited up, the usual pre-race chatter buzzed in the background, engine checks, tire pressures, and final strategy adjustments. Laurent was at the center of it all, walking over to Henry with a calm but focused demeanor.

"You ready for today, Henry?" Laurent asked, looking at him with a serious expression.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Henry responded with a grin.

Laurent gave him a nod of approval. "Good. And remember what I told you, when I say 'Henry… Hammertime,' that's your cue to push for every position. Don't hold back."

Henry's grin widened. "You got it, Laurent. Just give me the signal, and I'll go all in."

Laurent turned to walk back to his post, his voice a calm reminder: "Stay focused, and don't forget about your task today, podium finish."

With the race cars inspected and approved, the drivers were lined up for the formation lap. The engines roared to life as the cars pulled onto the track, each driver feeling the heat of the moment. Henry's car hummed beneath him, and he could hear the comforting sound of Laurent's voice coming over the radio.

"Car's looking good. Keep the temperatures steady, Henry. You know what to do."

Henry nodded, his eyes scanning the track ahead. The formation lap was a crucial moment, getting the tires and brakes up to temperature was the first step in securing a good start. Laurent was keeping him updated, making sure everything was going smoothly.

The commentators on the broadcast were already discussing the day's race.

Commentator 1: "This is going to be an exciting one, folks. We're looking at a real battle for the top spots. Henry Calder is coming off an excellent performance in the sprint race, but can he carry that momentum into today's feature race? And what about his rivalry with Liam Hargrove? Will the tension between them impact their performance today?"

Commentator 2: "It's definitely something to watch. Liam's not known for keeping his emotions in check, so don't be surprised if he takes a more aggressive approach on the track. As for Calder, if he can keep his focus, he could very well surprise a few people today."

As the formation lap continued, Henry and Laurent kept up their usual back-and-forth communication, making sure everything was in top shape.

Laurent's voice crackled through the radio again. "Tire temperatures are looking good. Just keep it smooth. The start is crucial, Henry. Let's make it count."

"I'm ready," Henry replied, gripping the wheel tighter as the formation lap neared its end. "Let's do this."

The cars pulled into their grid positions, the sound of their engines now muted as the countdown began. The tension was palpable, the entire track holding its breath as the lights flickered. Henry focused, his mind already set on the task ahead.

System Prompt: You've done the prep work. Now it's time to execute. Finish on the podium, Henry.

The lights began to count down, the crowd's excitement reaching a fever pitch. With a final breath, Henry locked his gaze on the track, waiting for the lights to go out.

Then….green.

The race was on.