Author's note: This idea came about from a simple question: How could Cars 1 have worked humanized? I mean, it's not like Lightning would actually be able to do all of that damage to the road if he was a human, or have fallen asleep in his car in the first place. So this story attempts to explore a possible canon all for you who like humanized. It's also a bit of an AU as it takes place after the LA race. In other words, Lightning made it to LA safe and sound, blissfully unaware of the very existence of Radiator Springs.
One thing I tried to avoid in this story is to retell the first movie. Because that would be super boring, to write and to read. For that reason, many scenes, especially those in Radiator Springs, will be skimmed over or just mentioned. I've also tried to focus on side characters. Team Dinoco gets their fair share of attention on the tracks, and Doc and Sheriff will be focused on in Radiator Springs in order to not make it a retelling. Hope everyone enjoys and feel free to send a PM if you don't want to leave a public review.
A special thanks to Adventurelife and the-kings-tail-fin for their support and help!
There was a companionable silence between the two of them. The hmmmm of the truck's engine fell in sync with the desert landscape surrounding the semi. Every now and then a car would rush pass them, but other than that, nothing broke the peace.
The sun was just warming up the dash with its rays when a ding cut through the silence.
Strip reached for Gray's phone.
"Can I?"
The trucker nodded, not taking his eyes off the road or his hands off the wheel.
"We're here," Strip read. "Hick's driver."
The Piston Cup truckers all had a shared group text. Despite the competition between the teams, the truckers communicated with each other in order to ensure the safe arrival of the cars. The competition was on the track - not the public roads.
"Already?" Gray sounded surprised. "They must have pushed hard through the night.
"Not nearly as hard as Mack did," Strip commented. Gray shook his head.
"Still don't know how he pulled an all nighter like that. He must have been completely bushed."
"Not to mention insane."
"Well, he likes the kid. Seems he'd do just about anything for him."
Strip was about to answer but got sidetracked as a neon car blazed by his right on the shoulder of the highway.
"Idiots!" Gray muttered, just as another one passed by him.
"Just keep a steady speed," Strip replied, looking over his shoulder before realizing the trailer was in his way.
"Yeah, I will," Gray agreed. He was tempted to run them off the road, but the hassle wouldn't be worth it. Another neon car passed him on the right.
"Where are they coming from?" He exclaimed, annoyed.
"One more," Strip said, the fourth offender taking the less risky route on the left.
Gray relaxed as the cars sped far, far ahead of them, no doubt planning to crawl back into the hole they lived in until night time.
"Where do these guys come from?" Strip asked with a small shake of his head.
"Guess this is what Mack warned me about when he typed 'watch out for neon'," Gray thought back. "Didn't know what he meant at first. Makes sense now."
"Must have been real tired," Strip agreed. "Still don't know why the kid would want to get there first. Doesn't make any difference."
"It's a competition between him and Hicks," Gray laid out. "Apparently, the first one in LA gets Dinoco."
Strip shook his head again, but this time with a small disbelieving smile.
"Don't tell me they actually think Tex will just pick whoever gets there first."
Gray shrugged.
"Guess they think the sponsorship goes with whoever wins. And apparently more time on the track means a better lap."
"Might have to prove them wrong on that."
"Roger happy with your last race?" Gray knew the Dinoco crew chief was pleased with the team's overall performance throughout season, but the last race had been quite the game changer.
"Yeah," Strip nodded. "Our plan is just take the front and keep it."
"Hicks won't like that," Gray grinned slightly, knowing the runner-up was terrible at overtaking the King.
"No, but McQueen's quite the challenge. You never know what he'll do next."
"Think he'll get the sponsorship?" Gray asked, grin dropping. Strip's retirement was hitting the whole crew pretty hard, especially since they weren't sure who the replacement would be.
"Well, he won't sign Hicks, that's for sure," Strip responded. No way his competitor would be the new face of Dinoco. He would give the company the wrong image for sure.
The veteran racer stared at the rolling landscape, thinking about the possibility of the Rusteze kid becoming his replacement.
"I don't know," he responded truthfully. "It really depends how this race goes."
"He's good," Gray said. "Maybe better than you."
"A little," Strip admitted. "But he lacks experience."
"Not to mention he needs a massive attitude adjustment," Gray agreed.
"Aw, Roger'll whip him into shape," Strip grinned slightly at the thought. "Ain't no way kid's gonna fire him."
The thought of Roger going toe to toe with Lightning got a small smile out of Gray, but it didn't last long. He looked along the highway, thinking about how this was going to be his last time trailing Strip and the 'bird to the next track. They didn't always ride together alone. Sometimes the crew was with them, sometimes Strip went ahead with Rotor. But with the unexpected extra race on their agenda, the crew had to quickly rearrange their schedules. Some of them had family plans that just couldn't be cancelled. Rotor would be working his bird non stop to get everyone to LA in time. Lynda and Tex were probably already in the city, but Strip had slipped away with Gray. The quiet was a welcome break from the chaos, and the perfect opportunity to clear his head. Besides, the trailer had everything from a bed to a shower, so it wasn't like he was compromising a good night's sleep driving with Gray.
Sometimes the two would talk about track politics or the upcoming race, sometimes they would drive in silence, but if Gray knew one thing was sure, it was that he was going to miss this.
"Hey..." Strip said quietly, breaking Gray out of his thoughts. Unbeknownst to Gray, his racer knew how hard his retirement was affecting the crew.
"How about after this," Strip suggested slowly. "We go on a road trip?"
Gray shot him in incredulous look and he elaborated.
"We gotta take the 'bird back to Dallas anyway. How about we talk the whole crew into coming with us? It'll be like old times."
"Oh, you mean all of you goofing off in the back until Roger comes to sit with me and complain?"
"Hey... that's not fair," Strip admonished. "Sometimes Luke or I would come sit with you."
Gray smiled slightly and considered the possibility. Strip kept going.
"We'd take it real slow and stop everywhere worth stopping."
Gray gave it some thought and nodded.
"Would Lynda be alright with it?"
"I'm sure she'll understand."
"Make sure," Gray warned, knowing how assumptions led to petty arguments in relationships. "And check with Tex as well."
"He might just want to come with us," Strip joked.
"I'm sure," Gray responded dryly.
"You up for it?" Strip asked, after giving Gray some time to think.
"Yeah," Gray nodded. "Once those conditions have been met, I'm definitely up for it. It'll be fun."
"It will be."
The two settled into comfortable silence again, preparing themselves for the hectic day ahead. One last race and one last road trip. What a way to end a legacy.
Mack yawned blearily as he stepped out of the cab. Nine hours. He'd slept for nine solid hours and it was five in the evening. Man, he'd been tired. He fumbled with his cellphone to check on Gray's process, but gave it up. The Dinoco hauler parked a couple of spaces down. It felt weird having so much space what with only three racers. Usually it was much more crowded.
"Hey, Mack!" He turned to see Lightning running over to him. The kid looked like he'd been doing practice laps all day, which he probably had.
"Hey, kid," Mack greeted. "How did it go?"
"Great!" McQueen said enthusiastically. "This race will be a piece of cake."
"Don't be so sure about that," Mack warned. "You got yourself a pit crew yet?"
"Meh, Rusty and Dusty will take care of it," the kid shrugged it off, not really caring too much.
"And what about a crew chief?" The driver asked, getting his Rusteze cap from the cab. The setting sun cast quite a glare.
"Mack, we've talked about this," Lightning rolled his eyes. "I don't need a crew chief. I'm fine."
"You sure kid?" Mack glanced behind him at the blonde. "I've been talking to some of the other drivers, and they said most racers..."
"I'm not most racers," Lightning interrupted. "I'm Lightning McQueen."
"Alright," Mack sighed, knowing the kid was stubborn. He still thought Lightning needed one, but pushing the issue wouldn't convince him. "Still, if you ever need help looking for one, you know I'll help."
"Sure," McQueen mumbled, not planning on ever taking his driver up on the offer. "So, we beat Hicks here, and I think I saw the Dinoco helicopter earlier," he rocked excitedly on his heels. "Dinoco is practically mine."
Closing the truck door with a bang, Mack wondered idly if the kid shouldn't be talking to someone else about these things. He appreciated the company, but it seemed he was LIghtning's only confident, the only one the kid had to talk to. Heck, he was pretty sure he was the kid's only friend.
"Glad to hear it," he said, deciding that being supportive was the best course of action.
"Just wait, soon it'll be hello Dinoco and goodbye bumper commercials," Lightning kept going as Mack walked around the back of the trailer. "I'll have a whole new crew, a helicopter, brand new truck..."
"New truck?" Mack asked, suddenly worried.
"Oh... right..." McQueen stopped, suddenly realizing what he'd said and that his fantasy didn't include Mack. "Um... Well... You know if I switch over, the other trucker guy-"
"Gray," Mack reminded McQueen of the other trucker guy's name.
"Right, Gray," Lightning pulled a funny face at the name. "Well, he'll be my driver."
Mack looked down for a split second. Usually McQueen wouldn't catch the look of disappointed, but for once he was actually paying attention.
"Look, Mack," he said quietly, stepped forward to the bigger man. "If I'd take you with me, I could," he shrugged. "But this will be a big opportunity for me... and I want to make the most of it."
"Yeah, sure kid," the trucker shrugged, starting to check the wires connecting the trailer to the cab. "I understand."
"Rusty and Dusty will find someone else," McQueen went on, but it sounded to Mack like he was trying to appease his own conscience more than trying to comfort him. "And if..." he searched for the right name. "Gray ever quits, I'll put in a good word for you."
"Thanks, kid," Mack grinned, touched just a little bit by his optimism.
"It'll be fine..." Lightning didn't sound so sure but shook himself. "Yeah. It'll be just fine."
Everyone on Team Dinoco was impressed by the tiebreaker race - except for Luke.
"Really?" He asked as Strip was there to greet him and Lucy at the airport in LA. "You had to make it a tie. You couldn't just beat them?"
"Sorry, Luke, did my best."
"Yeah, yeah, right. Retirement got into your head."
Strip shook his head and turned to Rotor instead. The chopper pilot still had his aviators on but had gotten rid of the gum he usually chewed during flight.
"How was the flight over?" Strip asked.
"Pretty good," Rotor nodded. "Luke kept quiet, which is always a blessing."
The shorter man shot the pilot a look filled with fire, but restrained himself from saying anything in retaliation. Instead he took his wife's bag and tossed it over his shoulder.
"You off already?" Strip asked as Rotor turned back to the chopper.
"Yeah," Rotor replied. "Trying to get the whole crew here in time. Headin' back to Dallas for some sleep. The Chief is flying out tomorrow."
Strip knew he meant the Dinoco Crew Chief.
"Be safe," he called out. "And don't exhaust yourself."
"It's alright," Rotor called out. "I get paid overtime!"
Strip stood back as the airport crew came up and filled up the bird. Rotor pulled on his headset, signalling that he was ready to get out of there.
"So," Strip turned around as Lucy addressed him. "Lynda tells me you boys are planning a road trip." Her arms were crossed, and her eyebrows raised.
"Yeah," Strip smiled slightly. "Sort of a farewell trip back to Dallas."
"We are?" Luke asked confused. "Why don't I know about this?"
"Lynda phoned me ahead of time," Lucy explained. "I just wanted to say that it's ok, you can go."
"Well, what if I don't want to go this trip," Luke tried defiantly.
"Come on, Luke, it'll be fun," Strip said, knowing the pittie would cave eventually. "You love those kinds of trips."
Luke hesitated, eyes glancing back and forth to the sides.
"Will Gray let me drive the truck?" He finally asked.
"I doubt it... But you can ask him."
Lynda was there with the car. The four of them had dinner at the hotel with Tex.
"Road trip's just fine with me," the sponsor gave his permission. "Just make it back in one piece, alright?"
"I think we can manage," Strip glanced at Luke and the two grinned mischievously.
"You have full coverage on the insurance, right?" Lucy asked Tex teasingly.
"Oh, yeah," he said. "And I'm sending two adults with them."
Strip shot his sponsor an unimpressed look while Luke protested the fact that both of them were responsible adults. They didn't need Roger or Gray to babysit them! Lucy and Lynda shot each other amused looks across the tables. The times between the races where everyone was together and relaxed was so much fun. They were going to miss this.
The day of the race was clear and sunny - the perfect weather. The whole country seemed abuzz with the news as racing fans crowded around televisions and took official leave for the first ever three-way-tie race. Even non-racing fans planned on watching the event. It was history in the making.
Darrell was practically bouncing up and down in the studio and Bob couldn't help but grin. He'd been doing this for a long time, and pretty much seen it all. But the historic event and Darrell's excitement was contagious, and he found himself a little bit more excited than he usually was.
Security was tight, but the rowdy crowd still got through. By the time the actual race rolled around, drinks had already been poured and officials were anticipating a rough time.
Despite the fact that there were only three teams, pit row didn't feel as quiet as the racers expected. The buzz in the whole stadium and the noise from the crowds around them more than made up for the lack of racers and extra teams.
The space was actually quite nice, and the cars were maneuvered onto the track significantly faster than before.
While Hicks and McQueen had battled for practice time on the tracks, Strip only took about 20 laps. While the other two tried to beat their times, Strip spent most of his time planning the road trip with his crew. His confidence in his abilities and his tendency not to overthink paid off, and when actual qualifiers came around, he placed first, Hicks second, and McQueen third.
"What... come on!" Lightning exclaimed when he saw his time. "I did much better than that two days ago."
"Maybe you were overthinking it," Mack suggested. McQueen shot him a glare but stayed quiet. He knew his driver was right.
Rusty and Dusty came through and found Lightning a pit crew. The two sponsors expressed concern at the rookie's lack of a crew chief, but Lightning just waved off their uneasiness Still, the Rusteze founders became a little bit more insistent to the point where Lightning said Mack could have the job.
"So... um... What do I do exactly?" Mack asked, putting on the head seat as McQueen put his gloves on.
"Just keep quiet and let me do my thing," Lightning said a little impatiently. "If anything happens, let me know."
"Ok," Mack sounded unsure. "Not sure how qualified I am for this..."
"You'll do fine," McQueen said assuringly. "You're the boss, ok? Make sure this crew doesn't mess up."
Satisfied that he would be left alone to do his own thing, Lightning pulled on his helmet and got into his own car before starting his pre-race mental routine.
Speed. I am speed.
The atmosphere around Team Dinoco was completely different than around Team Rusteze.
"Love you, Strip," Lynda kissed him on the cheek and stepped back, squeezing Strip's hand.
"Make us proud," Tex nodded from the back, and Strip nodded back.
"Last one for the books," he told his sponsor.
Tex and Lynda made their way over to the VIP section, leaving the crew to double and triple check everything.
"Luke, got everything for the trip?" Strip asked as Luke checked his drill.
"Hm, yeah yeah," Luke reported. "Everything's good to go."
"After we win this race," Roger stepped over to them. "You gotta focus first, Strip, now come on."
Strip complied and put on his helmet.
"You hear me alright?" Roger asked through the comms as Strip got in the 'bird.
"Loud and clear," he replied.
"Good," Roger settled into his chair. "Let's give them a show to remember."
Hicks watched with no small amount of disdain as Dinoco's golden boy got a farewell kiss from his lady and joked around with his crew before the crew chief pulled it all together. He'd been following that tail fin pretty much his whole career... and he was sick of it.
"You know the plan," his crew chief said. "Stick with it."
"Yeah, same routine," Chick said, glancing at his crew.
"Don't worry about McQueen," one of his pitties said. "His crew's slow compared to us."
"Today's the day, boys," Hicks turned to his crew. "I'm gonna take home the Piston Cup!"
They nodded in agreement, and Hicks pulled on his helmet and stepped into the Buick. A three way tie was the closest he'd ever come to a Piston Cup. No one was going to stand in his way. No rookie kid who thought he deserved a win, and certainly not an old guy who had way to many. That cup was his.