Joe was about to call out to him when Frank put a hand on his brother’s arm. Frank said, "Hang on."

Joe turned and saw the officials were coming in their direction.

"We should hear what they have to say," Frank said.

They moved toward the officials as Damon Starr walked out of the garage with Jeremy and Seth following close behind.

"We have no clue as to how the fire started," one official said. "No one saw anything, but we will keep the extra security in place."

"It shouldn’t have happened in the first place," Jeremy said angrily. "Security should be better. These cars cost a lot of money."

"Calm down, Jeremy," Damon said.

"I won’t calm down," Jeremy stated. "My life is in danger."

"Jeremy! Go to your trailer!" Damon demanded.

Jeremy stalked off after giving one last venomous glance at the officials.

"Could this incident be connected with the car crash earlier in the day?" Damon asked.

"We haven’t come up with and conclusive evidence," the official said. After a few more words with Damon, the officials turned and headed for the track.

Frank and Joe moved over to Seth and Damon. Seth turned to face them and quickly introduced them to the owner. "Damon, this is Frank and Joe Hardy, friends from my hometown."

"Hardy?" Damon asked. "As in Fenton Hardy?"

"He’s our father," Joe said.

"Frank and Joe have been following in their father’s footsteps," Seth said.

"You must have overheard what was said," Damon stated.

"We did," Frank admitted. "Do you have any idea who would want to start a fire?"

"I have no idea, but I am concerned about the team’s safety."

"Any idea why this team is being targeted?" Joe asked.

"There could be a lot of reasons, but I just don’t know."

"It’s possible the fire was meant to cause damage," Frank said.

"I think you’re right," Damon said. He looked at Seth. "Why don’t you head back to the garage? I think I’m going to talk to your friends for a few minutes."

Seth looked at Frank and Joe. "I’ll see you both later." Seth turned and returned to the garage.

"Will you two walk with me?" Damon asked as the three of them headed toward the motor homes. "I know you are both right to be suspicious. Has Seth told you about the other incidents?"

"He has," Joe confirmed.

"I have been able to keep the incidents quiet," Damon admitted. "But I have a feeling someone is out to hurt the team, but I can’t let it happen. I’ve spent too much time building it up."

They headed into the trailer and Frank asked, "Why do you think the team is targeted?"

"If that is the case, I think the only reason would be Jeremy."

"Why Jeremy?" Joe asked.

"A lot of people on the circuit don’t like him. He is hotheaded and the smallest thing seems to set him off."

"Do you think another team would try to permanently get Jeremy out of the picture?" Frank asked.

"It’s possible, but I don’t know."

"Would your team try to get rid of Jeremy?" Joe asked.

"I don’t think so," Damon said shaking his head. "The team works hard together. They may not like Jeremy, but they wouldn’t hurt him."

Frank looked at Joe, then Damon. "We’ll look into this to see what’s going on."

"I’d appreciate it." Damon picked up several papers off the table. He handed them to Frank and Joe. "I had some extra passes that will get you into the pits as well as other parts around the track. If someone stops you, tell him or her you’re part of the team."

"We’ll let you know what we find out," Frank said.

"I’d appreciate it," Damon said.

"Are there any teams Jeremy has a big rival with?" Joe asked.

"There are two teams," Damon replied. "The first if Team Miller and the others is Team Hotrocket. Those are his biggest rivals."

"That gives us someplace to start," Joe said.

Frank and Joe exited the trailer and headed for the pits. As they walked, Joe said, "There’s not a lot for us to go on."

"But we do know something fishy is going on," Frank admitted. "We just need to figure out what."

"Where should we start?" Joe asked.

"Probably with the two rival teams."

"We should also check out Jeremy’s team."

Frank looked at his brother and knew Joe wanted to get close to the racecar. "All right. You check out the team while I check the others."

"That’s a great idea."

"Just be careful, Joe."

"I’m always careful."

"Just be careful," Frank repeated and Joe nodded his head before heading to the garage.

* * * * *

Frank made his way past the garage seeking out the two teams he was looking for. He knew what the cars looked like for the teams and was just trying to locate them. He figured talking to the other drivers would shed some light as to what was going on.

Coming across the first garage, Frank heard an engine revving and could see the crew working around the car. He easily spotted the driver dressed in a blue and white racing suit standing off to the side watching the last minute touches being done to the car.

Frank recognized the driver as Aaron Stockman. He knew Aaron was one of the most favorite drivers among the fans. He also had the pole for the following days race. Knowing he had to talk to him, Frank made his way toward Aaron.

"Excuse me," Frank said.

Aaron turned to him. His black hair was cut short and his blue eyes seemed to match his racing suit. "Can I help you?"

"My name is Frank Hardy."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you," Aaron said. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"This is great," Frank admitted looking around the garage. "There’s so much action going on." He looked Aaron in the eye. "I watched qualifying yesterday and you had a good run."

"The car handled really well," Aaron admitted.

"It’s just a shame Jeremy crashed into the wall."

"I know," Aaron said letting out a breath. "I still can’t understand why he crashed. He is a good driver behind the wheel."

"I wonder what could’ve happened."

"More than likely the car got loose. It does happen."

"I wonder if someone tampered with the car."

"I doubt it," Aaron said. "No one would tamper with another team’s car."

"But, it’s possible though, right?"

"True, but no one would admit doing it. It’s hard to prove."

"Why would someone do something to another driver?"

"Most just talk dirty. All of us are in racing because we enjoy it. We are all like family."

Frank smiled and shook Aaron’s hand. "I know you have to get ready for practice, so I won’t keep you any longer."

"That’s all right."

"Thanks for talking with me."

"No problem," Aaron said. "I enjoyed it."

Frank walked away. He had a feeling everything Aaron had said was true and he hoped his feeling was right. He headed off in search of the other team.

* * * * *

Joe made his way toward the Team Starr garage. He was eager to get close to the engine. As he approached the garage, he saw the hood was still up. Joe watched for a moment until he saw Seth climb out from underneath the car. Seth looked up and smiled at him.

He made his way toward Seth who asked, "What are you doing?"

"Just looking around," Joe admitted.

"What did Damon talk to you about?"

"Racing," Joe said with a smile. "We were just getting the owner’s point of view."

"A lot does go on with racecars," Seth said standing up.

"There he is!"

Seth and Joe turned to see Jeremy coming toward them. He didn’t look happy. Right behind him was the team’s crew chief, Michael Williams.

"What’s going on?" Seth asked looking at both of them.

"How could you do it?" Jeremy asked.

"What?" Seth asked, confused.

"Stop playing games," Jeremy said. "I know it was you."

Joe looked at Seth and realized he was as confused as his friend. Joe asked, "What did Seth do?"

Jeremy focused on Joe. "Why is it your concern?"

"Seth is my friend, so you better have proof if you think he did something."

"He is at fault," Jeremy stated.

"For what?"

"For everything. Seth is the reason I didn’t get the pole."

"Seth’s friend is right," Michael said. "You need proof before you go accusing someone."

"There is proof," Jeremy stated.

"Where?" Joe countered.

"I’ll show you."

Jeremy led the three of them to Seth’s trailer. Jeremy reached for the door and pulled it open.

"What does my trailer have to do with it?" Seth asked.

Joe, Seth and Michael followed Jeremy into the trailer. Jeremy pointed under the table. All three of them looked. Joe saw auto parts under the table.

"What about them?" Seth asked.