“Not really,” he said. “You know me, Lou. You know I‘m gonna do all right in your car. You know I‘ll work my ass off. We‘ll go good together.”
Lou mulled it over. “I‘ll tell you what,” he finally replied. “Two year deal, and we‘ll split the difference on the salary to $1750. And, in addition to your percentage, we‘ll put together a bonus when you win your first race. I don‘t know exactly what it will be, but it‘ll be something. I‘ll work on it.”
“OK. $1750 is fine.”
Lou stuck out his hand. “Come by the shop tomorrow evening and we‘ll sign the papers.”
“Wow,” was about all Renee could muster a few moments later. “A contract? Seriously?”
“That‘s it,” Jimmy said, about to boil over with excitement. “Listen, please don‘t say anything to anybody. I‘m not sure what this means…you know, for everything.”
“Jimmy this is fantastic,” she said. “I mean…this is wonderful! It‘s what you always wanted!”
“I know,” Jimmy nodded. “It doesn‘t seem like it could be real.”
“It‘s real,” Renee laughed.
“I know, but…”
“But what?”
“Well…what happens if Skaggs calls and offers more money? Maybe I said yes too quick.”
“Worry about that when it happens,” she insisted. “In the meantime, think about what this means: not only do you get a shot in Indy cars, but with Lou Warren. That team wins races, Jimmy. They are great! And you‘ll be part of that!”
“I‘m supposed to go to the shop tomorrow to sign the papers,” Jimmy explained. “I hope Lou doesn‘t change his mind!”
“Hey, before you sign any agreement, you should have a lawyer look it over,” Renee said.
“Lawyer? Why do I need a lawyer?”
“Well, because someone should represent your interests. At our bank, we can‘t do anything without our legal department reading it first.”
“Well…I don‘t have a lawyer,” Jimmy said.
“I know, but…I just think it‘s a good idea. I could have one of the attorneys at the bank look it over if you want.”
Jimmy was hesitant. “Man…I don‘t know. If I get a lawyer involved, that might spook Lou. That might mess the whole deal up. No, I don‘t know about the lawyer thing.
“And I trust Lou. He‘s always been straight up with me. He‘s a man of his word.”
Jimmy was quickly forced to put this thoughts on Lou and his offer on hold, as he had important business today here at Washington County.
Sammy Caldwell had been the story this season in the USAC sprint car division, strong from the opening round way back in March. He and Harry Bell‘s No. 2 sprinter had been both fast and consistent, and Jimmy had grown frustrated as he chased them in points. Week after week, Sammy was in the top five. He also won several races, and at this point it would take a complete catastrophe…