BOB CUTLASS: Look, none of you need to be told that Dinoco's been the golden brand of racing almost as long as the sport's been around. But with their recent merge with Rust-eze, we've been getting something a little different.

DARRELL CARTRIP: Bob, you say that like it's a bad thing! Dinoco's known for quality racing, but this is a fast game with fast changes -just last year we saw the whole field go nuclear when the Next-Gens rolled off the line. For Dinoco to stay on top, they need something a little different, and I say Ms. Ramirez is just what the pit crew ordered!

CUTLASS: She's got a good set of tires on her, no doubt. But as we head into the second half of the season No. 51's racked up how many penalties already? Unsecured lugnuts, speeding on pit road, illegal lane changes - those aren't the kinds of records you wanna be setting. And she's reckless - if Ryan Laney weren't the A-grade talent that he is, he could've sent Swervez into the wall after that stunt she pulled getting in between 'em last week. She's just not -

"-used to racing with other cars. She doesn't see them; I don't know," Lightning tries to explain.

"Lightning, I'm gonna tell you once," Tex says placidly. "It's your job to know. It's your job to make sure she knows. I know we're bucking convention here, and I know there's gonna be growing pains. But I want to keep the track safe as we can - you know better'n me there's enough risk in racing as it is. We don't need more."

Lightning's gaze is glued to the floor. "Yeah, I know. I- I'm sorry, Mr. Tex. I'll- We'll- We'll figure it out."

"Don't just say it. Do it," says Tex. His laidback demeanor never wavers, but he means business, and Lightning knows it. "You know I like you. I'm going with my gut, here, and not the numbers. Show me that wasn't my mistake. You hear?"

Lightning flashes his signature grin. "You bet, Mr. Tex!"

Once outside, his grin dribbles into the pavement.

He takes a deep breath.

200 yards, and he's face to face with Mack.

Mack shouts, "Hey boss!" And then, quieter, "Hey, you look blue."

Deep breath.

Signature grin.

"Right back atcha!" Lightning replies, overloud. "Dinoco blue looks good on you, Mack. Good thing, too, because I hear you're haulin' R," Lightning shouts emphatically, in the direction of Mack's rear.

When Cruz doesn't materialize, Lightning turns back to Mack. Mack shrugs helplessly.

Lightning progresses toward the mouth of Cruz's trailer. "Cruz! Are you in there? 'Cause rumor has it a certain someone led thirty whole laaa~ps today - "

"You can stop," says Cruz. She's quiet, pulled way to the back of the trailer, her front bumper just visible in the glow of the computer screen. The Racing Sports Network emanates tinny from the trailer's speakers.

Oh no, thinks Lightning.

"Cruz, bad idea. We talked about this. You can't let them get to you. I mean, those guys are great, but sometimes they just gotta stay stuff for the TV ratings, y'know? It's part of the game. So it's not personal if they - "

CUTLASS: You're right, though, Darrell. We should cut her some slack. She's an 11th-hour rookie with a 12th-hour crew chief. McQueen's a legend, always will be - but a legend does not a crew chief make. What's costing Dinoco their consistency this season is simple: It's amateur hour over there. There's just not enough experience in the deck. What's happening out there - it's like watching loose cannons on a speedway.

CARTRIP: And that's not real racing. You got me there, Bob. You got me there.