The laps were toiled away as Sally came back to the VIP booth, at the Smasherville International Speedway. She looked at all the VIPs that was around her as she rolled over to the window.

"What's been happening?" She asked McQueen as he rolled over to her.

"Michael Carburettor of Vitoline has been in the lead since lap 40. Chuck Armstrong is now catching up." McQueen and Sally watched to the others fly around the track, and Sally looked over at her fiancée.

"Stickers, do you regret giving up this?" McQueen didn't respond for a second. Giving up the Piston Cup to become a teacher for the Doc Hudson Racing Academy was very hard. He picked up the skills from the Piston Cup since the 2000 season, the year he joined. But he knew it was for the best.

"I would be lying if I said that there were times in my retirement where I thought of going back to join up again, but I guess we all have to move forward." McQueen stared at the newest racer for Trunk Fresh, number 57, Dodge Charger in first, before glancing from car to car, eyeing each of them. As he was glancing, his eyes fell upon No Stall's racer, Todd Marcus. He had two wheels on the barrier as he passed two cars, Shiny Wax, Number 82, Darren Leadfoot and Nitroade, Number 52, Joltson. McQueen's eyes then fell upon last place, Leak Less, Number 282, Hollister. McQueen then blinked in confusion and his eyes travelled up the pack to Todd Marcus passing Chuck Armstrong.

"Hm..."

Todd was catching up to Michael as they entered the first turn. Gritting his teeth and narrowing his eyes, Todd charged after him. Michael looked in his door mirrors to see Todd coming up the inside. Michael then moved to block him but Todd moved the opposite way and slipped down the inside of the second corner.

"What a move by Todd." Billy, the retired Octane Gain racer, shouted. "He makes Michael open the door so he can slip into the lead." Todd left the corner and raced over the line as another lap went by.

"Nice done Todd." Chuckled his crew chief, Roman Dunes. "But Michael will be determined to take the lead back, just make sure you have a few more tricks when he does. I'll let you know when he attacks." "Copy that Roman." Todd then entered the first turn once again.

"Oh, he's going down." Michael raced after Todd. Todd continued to lead for 5 more laps before Michael finally caught up. Todd was right alongside the wall when Michael went for a side on shunt. Todd then jumped over him, causing him to slam into the wall. Sparks showered from the right side as he continued to drag his entire right side along the wall, before moving away. As they went into the next bend, Michael charged again. Todd however figured this and blocked him many times. However, Michael figured this and judging his moment, he slammed into Todd's rear left side, causing Todd to lose control. Todd tried to correct himself but ended up sliding sideways, and slammed his right rear side, very hard, into the corner of the wall and spun three times before slamming once more into another wall. After a minute or two, he slowly reversed and headed down pit row and into his pit. His pitties quickly began to check him all over but they knew he needed to go to the garages for a proper inspection.

"Looks like Todd Marcus has once again, retired to the garages. What a shame, he put up a good fight but lost with quite heavy damage." As Todd left pit row, Michael came in. He chuckled quietly as he pulled into his pit.

"I think I put that rookie in his place."

"Well, who's the one who's going to put you in your place?" His crew chief snorted.

"This crashing into other racers for the fun of it and putting them in the garages has got to stop."

"I might stop it." Michael retorted as his crew finished changing his tires. "After they learn not to mess with me." With tires squealing, he raced off of pit row. His crew chief shook his hood annoyed.

Soon, the race was over and once again, Michael claimed first, meaning he had enough points to claim first place overall and win the Piston Cup. Todd was very unhappy as his team looked and repaired his right side and front.

"Look bud, I know you're unhappy, especially since you were doing quite well, but feeling sorry for yourself isn't going to help you. You just need to learn a few tricks to help you get better."

"He's right you know." Todd looked over to see htB's newest racer, Danica Patrick. Following the disaster of Chick Hicks, the sponsor themselves wanted a new racer and Danica showed some interested in the sponsor. Danica was a Chevrolet Impala in a light green paintjob (same colour as her car in real life) with her number, 10, in orange with black lining and usual Piston Cup sponsors logo on her left and right side by her front wheel-wells as well has her sponsors over her back wheel-wells and on her hood.

"Oh, hello Danica."

"I'm sorry to hear about your accident. Why he is still in this racing event, I'll never know."

Todd sighed "Well, I don't think I can win next season against him. He's just to good, and he knows all of my tricks. I think it might be time to follow in other racers wheel-wells and retire."

"You know, if I learned one of the best rookies in the race gave up because they couldn't learn new tricks, I would have been forced to enter them into the Rustbucket to knock some sense into them." Todd and Danica were surprised to see McQueen at the track.

"Hello McQueen, what are you doing here?

"Well, I maybe retired from the Piston Cup but I do like to come to the track to watch the race. Besides, Sally and I need a break from Radiator Springs." McQueen then turned his attention to Todd. "Todd, you have the markings of a great race, but, you just need to get yourself a new trainer. Therefore, I think I can help you."

Todd's shocked expression was replaced with absolute delight. "Really?"

"I can promise you that you'll be a better racer when you join the season, next year." Todd smiled.

"Thanks Lightning...Where do I start?"

"We head to Radiator Springs next morning."