"Welcome to racing's greatest day we're beachside at the Florida international speedway to kick off a new season of Piston Cup racing it's the Florida 500!" Bob said.

"43 cars in a quarter million fans await today's intense contest of strategy, skill but most of all speed. This crowd is in for one great day of racing." Darrell said.

"I'm Bob Cutlass joined as always by my broadcasting partner Darrell Cartrip and stat sensation Natalie Certain

"I've never seen the numbers lineup for Storm like they do today Bob, Storm should be ninety six point eight percent unstoppable." Natalie said.

"Well, don't overlook Lightning McQueen." Bob said.

"Whipple Filter." Miss Fritter said.

"We've heard stories of the unusual way McQueen trained to get here now the question is, did it work?" Bob said.

"Speed. I am... speed." Lightning said.

"Hey boss, they are calling the racers to the track." Mack said.

Lightning got out and saw someone talking to Jeff.

"Jeff Gorvette, How does today's talent stack up?" an announcer asked.

"Oh I think we're in for a treat today these racers hey McQueen, win one for us old guys.." Jeff said.

"Will do Jeff..." he said.

"Hey Their Buddy." Mater said then gave him a pat on the back.

"Hey guys." he said smiling,

"Stickers!" Sally said.

"Hey Sal," he said and gave her a kiss.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah yeah.. absolutely." he said.

"Listen, you're gonna do great today. And no matter what happens... I'm going to move onto the next rookie and forget I ever knew you." she said with a hand on his shoulder.

He chuckled. "I'm glad you're here."

"Oh ho ho ho, wow! Nice costume! C'mere, let's get a picture. It's so great to meet my number one fan." Storm said to see Cruz's car wearing her Storm getup.

Sally scoffed. "What a jerk."

Lightning walked up to him.

"She's not a fan, Storm."

"Oh, hey there champ. I heard you're selling mud flap after today is that true? Hey you put me down for the first case okay?"

"Lightning McQueen!" someone said.

"Hey Lightning!" Sterling said.

"Hey Mr. Sterling!" Lightning said.

"To the future. Hey champ?"

"Yeah, to the future."

"Hey... just focus on what you're here to do kid." Smokey said.

"Thanks Smokey." Lightning said smiling.

"Now, go make Hud proud!" Smokey said smiling and pat Lightning on the back.

"You got it."

When it started Lightning did the best he could.

"Lightning McQueen is making steady progress in the early parts of this race. It won't be enough to catch Storm considered he started dead last." Bob said.

"I don't think he's doing half bad out there." Darrell said.

"Not too shabby keep this up you'll finish in the top ten." Smokey said.

"Top ten isn't going to cut it Smokey. I got to go all the way."

"So dig in remember your training, find Storm and chase him down."

"Oh tell him he has three laps to catch me!" Cruz said.

"Cruz says you've got three laps to catch her

"Okay, tell her thanks."

"Cruz, what are you doing here?" someone asked.

"Oh Mr. Sterling I was just..."

"I would like you to head back to the training center right away,"

"Oh! but why?"

"I need you to get Kurt up to speed for the race next weekend. Wait, not Kurt he's the bug guy, right the other one Ronald..yes."

"I want to stay and watch!"

"That's not gonna happen Cruz, now go!"

"But Mr. McQueen still has a chance!"

"Just go do your job."

"Yes sir."

"And take that spoiler and those racing tires off your car. You look ridiculous! You are a trainer, remember, not a racer!

Hearing that got Lightning to remember what he said.

"If you were a racer, you'd know what I'm talking about but you're not

so you don't!"

"No no no, she's not a racer she's a trainer."

"I wanted to become a racer forever because of you! It was my one shot and I didn't take it."

"Kid, are you okay?" Smokey asked.

"Yeah, just not happy about what Mr. Sterling said to Cruz. Tell him that I want her to stay."

"He said he wants her to stay."

So Sterling let her stay.

"Go! Go! Go! Smokey, are you watching!" Cruz asked smiling.

"I just want to let you know McQueen is moving up toward you." Storm's crew chief said.

"Why should I care?" Storm asked.

"Because now he's in the top ten."

"Hey, now you are coming up on the leaders." Smokey said.

"McQueen's in fourth!"

"Huh...?"

"Oo hoo. Get it done..."

"McQueen is in the third." He got closer to Lightning. "What are you doing Storm?"

"Hey, soon to be retire racer! I thought you were down here because your gps was broken."

Then he sped up and Lightning slowed down.

"Don't listen to him Lightning, you look good, it's important to look the part that you can't have everyone thinking that you don't deserve to be here. He's just trying to get in your head." Smokey said.

Then Lightning sped up.

"They don't need to know what you and I already do, that you can think you still have it in you all you want but you'll never be a racer again." Storm said.

Lightning thought and then sped up.

'Do it for Doc.' he thought.

"Look behind you!"

"What!"

"Get in it Storm!"

"I am just back here travelling at your back nothing to be concerned about two bugs on a summer night. " Lightning said.

Finally it was the end of the race.

"This is it! Final Lap!" Smokey said smiling.

'Hud would be so proud of him.'

"Come on, Lightning!" Cruz said smiling.

He smiled and then cut off Storm.

"Uh, oh! It looks like I have slow traffic in my way." he said.

Storm glared at him.

"Uh, you're angry!"

"I'm not angry!" he yelled.

"You know, you can use that anger to push through."

"I SAID I'M NOT ANGRY!" he yelled again.

Lightning drove across Storm smirking again.

"I don't think so!" Storm said about to bump into him but Lightning knew and sped a little. "NO!"

Storm sped up to then rammed Lightning and got closer to the finish line.

"Lightning! Get outta there!" Smokey said worried and getting a picture of Doc in his head.

"You don't belong on this track anymore!" Storm snapped.

"YES... I... DO!" he yelled and bounced off a wall then flipped over Storm exactly how he always does.

Then he overtook him and to win the Florida 500.

He smiled and sighed.

"I did it. I won the race, my eighth Piston Cup and proved to everyone I still had it."

"Way to go, Lightning!" Bobby said.

"Man, that was a heck of a win!" Cal said.

"Yeah, heck of a win!" Bobby said.

Then Brick came.

"Hey Lighting, you were flying!"

"Thanks, one of us had to show them I could still race!" Lightning said smiling.

Sterling came and looked at Lightning when he got next to Smokey smiling.

"Lightning." he said.

"Mr. Sterling." Lightning said looking at him a little nervous.

"Well it looks like you won. You can keep racing."

Lightning stood there and thought then made his decision.

"Actually Mr. Sterling, I think I'm done with Rust-eze after what you did to me. Rusty and Dusty wouldn't be happy but understand at the same time."

"Well then, race for me!" Tex said as he and Strip walked up.

"Tex!" Lightning said smiling.

"Lightning, I would be tickled pink to have you finally race for Team Dinoco. As you know, we have a long history of great racers... 'cept for Cal." he said.

"Uh, guys? I'm still right here!" Cal said peeking out.

Lightning snickered.

"I accept your offer this time Tex."

"Team Dinoco, Lightning!" they said.

"Hire him. I don't care." Sterling said sarcastically.

Lightning just glared at him.

"Whoa! Hang on, now!" Smokey said and pointed up at the winner board showing Lightning won as #1 and the crowds cheer.

"You started the race, and you finished it."

"Ahem! Hey, Sterling, why don't you and I take a walk and talk?" Tex said and escorted Sterling away as they walked. "Billionaire to billionaire..."

While they left the press started surrounding Lightning as Smokey looked on happily.

"Kid's got a lot of stuff...eh, Hud?" he said thinking about what he would say.