"I don’t like the idea of you going," Callie said putting her hand on his arm. "Something always happens when you go on vacation."

"Cal, usually when we go someplace its because we are doing an investigation. But that’s not the case this time. Joe and I are going to the track to meet up with an old friend of Joe’s."

"And while Joe is talking with his friend, all these girls will be vying for your attention and you’ll forget all about me."

Frank reached up and cupped her face in his hand. "I won’t forget you Callie. There’s nothing for you to worry about."

Seventeen-year-old Joe Hardy exited the house at that moment carrying a duffle bag filled with gear. "This is going to be a great trip. We should do this more often."

"Why do you have to go to a racetrack?" Callie asked. "I can think of better places to spend one’s vacation."

"This is perfect," Joe said dropping the bag to the ground. "And the reason we are going is that my friend works for a team and this will be the first time in several years that we’ve seen each other." Joe’s eyes began to light up. "And with going to the racetrack, we’ll be able to get a real close look at the cars."

As Joe grabbed the bag and headed to the van, Callie turned to Frank. "I didn’t think you were into cars."

"These cars are different. It takes a lot of work on the engine to make them able to go 200 miles per hour. This will give us a chance to see and maybe learn some new ways to tune up the van’s engine."

"It still doesn’t sound like my kind of vacation," Callie said.

"That’s why you weren’t invited," Joe said as he passed by heading back into the house.

Frank rolled his eyes and looked at Callie. He could see she was getting angry. "Joe, knock it off and get the rest of the gear."

Joe went inside and Frank focused on Callie’s face. "Don’t worry, Callie. We’ll be back in about a week. Joe and I need this break. We’ve had some tough cases and need this time off."

Callie smiled. "I understand."

Frank pulled Callie close. "Don’t worry."

Callie wrapped her arms around Frank’s neck. "Promise you’ll be careful."

"I promise." Frank kissed Callie. "I’ll see you in a week."

"I’ll be waiting." Callie leaned back and looked him in the eye. "Bye."

"Bye."

Callie gave him a smile and walked off.

As he watched her go, he thought about what she said. He knew this trip wasn’t typically something he would do, but the need for the break came at the perfect time. Getting away is the best for us, he thought. The invitation came at the right time.

The invitation was from a friend of Joe’s, Seth Andrews who worked for a race team on the car’s engine. It had been several years since Seth and Joe had seen each other. Seth had contacted them when the team was going to be at a racetrack nearby with tickets to the race.

Frank and Joe had readily agreed to go to the track and were looking forward to it.

"Frank," a voice said getting his attention.

He turned and saw Joe exiting the house. Joe asked, "Where did Callie go?"

"Home," Frank stated.

"Was it something I said?" Joe asked sarcastically.

"Knock it off," Frank said moving toward the van. "Is everything packed?"

"This is the last of it," Joe said lifting the bag in his hand in the air as he followed Frank to the van.

"Then we’re ready to go."

* * * * *

The next day, Frank and Joe arrived at the racetrack. They showed their passes to security and were allowed to enter the pit area.

"You know, I just can’t believe Seth works for Team Starr," Joe said.

"He was always striving to do what he wanted," Frank admitted as they walked past the garages.

"And he’s done it," Joe said proudly, then his voice turned envious. "It would be so much fun to work on a racecar." Joe’s eyes started sparkling once again. "I think it would be even more fun to drive one."

"You never know, you might get the chance."

"I hope so," Joe said. "Come on, let’s find the right garage."

Frank and Joe continued along searching for the right garage. They could see crews working on the engines, checking brake pads and revving engines. They reached the last garage and Joe easily spotted Seth walking toward them with a part in his hand examining it. Seth was almost six feet tall with black hair cut short. He had on a pair of red pants with a black shirt that had a red star on it.

"Seth!" Joe yelled.

Seth looked up from the part in his hand and smiled. As he reached them, Seth said, "I’m glad you two could make it."

"We wouldn’t have missed it," Joe said shaking Seth’s hand.

"Come this way," Seth said leading them toward the garage. "The car is over here."

As Frank and Joe fell in step with Seth, Joe asked, "How have you been doing?"

"I can’t complain," Seth answered. "Been real busy with the team making sure the engines are ready for each race and if improvements can be made, then they are done."

"It sounds like you’re enjoying this work," Joe observed.

"I love working on cars, but racecars are like the frosting on the cake."

They entered the garage and Seth handed the part over to another mechanic.

The car was right in front of them. A few people were underneath checking the brakes. Some others were going over a report. And a few more were bent over the engine making adjustments. Tools were scattered about, but within easy reach of whoever needed them.

"Seth!"

All three of them turned to see a man in black work clothes coming toward them. The man had blond hair and was over six feet tall. His green eyes were darting all around as he strode toward them.

"What’s up?" Seth asked turning to face him.

"What took so long?"

"Relax, Jeremy. I wasn’t gone that long."

Joe immediately knew who was standing in front of them. It was Jeremy Papiertil, who had been named champion the pervious year at the age of 27 and was trying to make it two years in a row.

"Yes, you were," Jeremy stated. "You’re supposed to be working on the car." His gaze landed on Frank and Joe for a moment. "Not visiting with lowlifes."

Seth stepped right up to Jeremy’s face. "They’re nor lowlifes. They are friends of mine."

"They are in the way here in the garage," Jeremy said as he brushed past them moving toward the car.

Seth turned to them. "Sorry about that."

"What’s with him?" Joe asked looking at Jeremy.

"Jeremy is just on edge. He’s really focusing on this race because he really wants to win."

"What are his chances?" Joe asked.

"Pretty good and the car is in excellent shape too," Seth said. "But anything can happen with the competition."

"Seth!"

"I’ve got to get to work," Seth said.

"How about we meet for dinner?" Frank suggested.

"Good idea," Seth said. "We can catch up then. The place with the best food is a diner about two miles down the road. The food is to die for."

"Sounds good," Joe said. "We’ll meet you here later."

As Seth headed over to the car, Frank and Joe left the garage. Frank looked at Joe. "So, what’s next?"

"Let’s head to the stands and watch the qualifying runs."

"Lead the way."

* * * * *

A while later, Frank and Joe were in the grandstands sitting so they could see the entire mile and a half track which was shaped like a triangle. Forty cars needed to be timed for starting positions in the race that would be held two days later.

They were halfway through qualifying runs when Jeremy in the Team Starr car pulled out onto the track.