The pit lane buzzed with its usual energy, mechanics scurrying around and engineers focusing on data. Cecelia sat in her car, her pink and white helmet on, trying to calm her thoughts that were threatening to accelerate out of control. Her first qualifying since her early retirement, everything she had worked for leading up to this moment.

The weight of Cecelia's gear felt different today, heavier on her shoulders. She supposed it was due to her loss of acclimation to the helmet and suit, but it also felt like a reminder of everything she had to go through to get here. A reminder of what she had to gain, but also what she had to lose. Cecelia tightened her grip on her steering wheel, closing her eyes. She took a deep breath, attempting to drown out the noise around her.

A crackle from her radio earpiece attracted Cecelia's attention. "Alright, Cecelia, let's get out there. Just focus on learning. We're just looking for a clean lap."

It had been settled over the last few days that Cecelia's goal for the qualifying was just to set a good lap. The race would be the same: she would do what she needed to do, as long as she stayed out of the wall. Easier said than done.

Cecelia's car roared to life. The familiar vibration of the engine hummed through her body, reminiscent of the adrenaline that she once thrived on. She scanned the pit lane as she pulled out of her box, finding an open spot between two cars.

As Cecelia navigated the first few turns of her out lap, she tried to settle into a rhythm. Her first two practice sessions had gone smoothly. Her results weren't remarkable, but she lacked the experience in Portland that the other drivers had. Besides, they had the entire season to adjust to the cars and the various circuits. But she felt comfortable with the track, and that would have to be enough.

Though she had never raced there, Cecelia loved the Portland track. It was technical and tricky, but rewarding if you got it right. It was one of her favorites to watch when she was younger.

"Don't overthink this, just drive," said Jamie Chadwick over the radio. The older woman had been incredibly helpful over the weekend in helping Cecelia readjust to racing. She would be on Cecelia's pit wall, offering her advice.

Jamie was right. Cecelia couldn't overthink this session. It was a statement to both herself and everyone who had doubted her after the accident.

The first part of qualifying ran smoothly. Cecelia barely scraped through to the top 6. She would get a second shot at a good lap.

After the second group of cars went out, Cecelia waited patiently, conversing with the people in her pit box about what she could do to improve.

Once the second group was done, it was time for the Fast 12. Now was the real test. It was time to push, to prove she belonged here on track.

"Track's getting quicker," said Cecelia's race engineer over the radio after she completed her out lap. "It's a good time to go for it."

Cecelia took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and steeled herself for her flying lap. The engine roared in her ears as she crossed the line, the world blurring in her peripherals. She hit the first few corners precisely, her hands steady on the wheel as she guided the car through each turn.

Her muscles tensed as she pushed the car through the fastest turns on the track. With every turn, every braking zone, Cecelia felt herself relax, the muscle memory returning easily. She trusted herself, her car.

"Keep it up, you're doing great," said Cecelia's engineer.

Cecelia smiled beneath her helmet. She was feeling good. She was on a comfortable lap. The car felt balanced beneath her, responding to her every move as she pushed harder through turns 7 and 8.

Her heart was pounding in her ears, but for the first time in a while, it wasn't out of fear. It was out of excitement, the thrill of doing what she loved for the first time in years. She carried speed down the curving straight as she headed for the final sequence of turns.

Just a few more corners. She could do this. The double chicane at the end of the straight directly into a sharp turn was a difficult combination, requiring every bit of concentration Cecelia had left. She braked late into the final corner and accelerated down the final straight.

Cecelia eased off the throttle after crossing the finishing, beginning her cool-down lap. Her chest heaved as she caught her breath.

"That's P6, Cecelia, P6. Fantastic job," complimented her engineer.

Cecelia cheered, completely ecstatic by her qualifying performance. She had surpassed her own goals, much less the ones thrown upon her by others. The relief hit her in waves as she came down from her adrenaline high.

Her hands shook slightly as she brought her car back into the pit lane, pulling into her box. Her team stood on the other side of the concrete barrier, clapping for her as if she had just won a championship, not placed sixth in a qualifying session.

As Cecelia climbed out of the car, she took a moment to let it all sink in. She had done it. She had faced her fears head-on and come out on top. She was back, not just physically, but mentally as well. Her doubts still lingered in the background, but she wouldn't let them take over her today.

Tomorrow she'd race. It would be different from today. But for now, Cecelia let herself savor the moment, the satisfaction of knowing she was exactly where she needed to be.