4

Adelaide

Caleb and I drive through the training room doors. The trainers of the center help racers succeed, but Dad told me about the trainer replaced twenty-one years ago. Well, that trainer became the greatest racer ever, The Wonderful Cruz Ramirez.

Well, that's how Dad met Cruz. I find it weird, but she became that racer. Good thing she became a part of the Hudson Hornet Racing Legacy. Well, it's been twenty-one years, and now, she's our crew chief, our mentor. What will we be doing today?

"Hello," Cruz says.

"Ms. Ramirez, what are we supposed to do?! Caleb and I were waiting for you! We did nothing!" I say.

"Addy, we were about to discuss right now."

"What is it?"

"Treadmills!"

Is that all we're going to do?! Treadmills?! We should be using everything! It's about being the greatest racers, not doing one little…whatever! Just do what you gotta do, Cruz. I won't mind it.

"Treadmills? That's it?! Shouldn't we be using everything?!" I ask.

"You also have a surprise warm up. It's waiting for you. It's calling you. It's singing to you," Cruz says.

"Yeah, isn't it that thing over there?" I point to the surprise, "It's not a surprise when it's in front of you."

"I should've prepared you. It's our racing simulator. First, treadmills.

The treadmills pull another direction while I resist, Caleb remains safe, next to me, and Cruz helps adjust the speed. One mile increases on every monitor. Two hundred miles is a good starting point, and ten miles increase. Cruz just stands there, and their eyes stay stiff. We say nothing after that.

What was with Mademoiselle Renault and Cruz? Why did Mademoiselle Renault allow this? Caleb shouldn't race and is underaged. He could crash, and Dad's going to kill me? It will all be on me, and I can never be Adelaide McQueen, the loyal daughter of Lightning McQueen. I can never be seen like this. This reputation will banish me for the rest of my life. I'm no good daughter.

"Can we go on the racing simulator?" Caleb asks Cruz.

"Yeah, go ahead, but let's get ready," Cruz says to him.

The simulator is one at a time. Caleb lets me go first as it catches my eyes. Cruz Ramirez has used it before, and Dad tried using the simulator before. However, Doc hasn't used it. The legacy uses dirt roads and modern technology. At least, I'll do anything for these greats, and I promise in doing so.

The simulator jolts hard, but everything runs smoothly. I make it to two-hundred miles per hour. Everything tilts and spins a bit, but I get back on track. That's probably too much, and I probably can't handle it.

"Addy, are you alright?" Caleb asks.

"Yeah, just be careful with this thing," I say.

"We should just rest."

"Aren't you going?"

"I don't know," he hesitated, "I guess I could try."

The TV plays for racing news. They definitely have to announce a new race. Leah Tran gives an after race report on screen as she has her Piston Cup with a smug look on her face. Is she really that awful? She doesn't seem so bad. Well…maybe…is it just her demeanor?

If only I was with Caleb and Cruz that season. I would've known what Leah is like exactly. However, Dad doubted her. Who knows what Leah is like in person? Can she be nice or mean? Can she be humble or not? By the looks of it, maybe it's the latter.

"Leah Tran, do you think you'll win the Charleston 500?" a reporter asks.

"I'll definitely win! I already have a winning streak! These rooks will never withstand me, especially the McBrats!" Leah says.

"You mean McQueens?"

"Whatever, but do you want my pictures?"

Insults…You better say my family's name with respect. Racing is about civil competition, not savage put downs. I guess competition is a lot more wild these days. Has Jacson Storm said that whenever he raced against Cruz?

"I'm fine, thanks," the reporter says.

"No problem!" Leah says.

"Speaking of Charleston 500," the news continued, "This race will be in a few weeks. There will be two new racers. The racers are the children of former Piston Cup champion, Lightning McQueen, so they should probably know how the system works."

They announce the Charleston 500. South Carolina and our debut, here we go! It's me and Caleb's time to rise as the children of the Great Lightning McQueen. This race will be our best, and we have to make a good first impression.

I interrupt Caleb. Poor Caleb! He waited for nothing. Maybe, I shouldn't have used the simulator for too long. I don't know. Well, the announcements would've aired sometime. Maybe, I should've let Caleb first in case.

"Caleb, it's time to go!" I say.

"Go?" Caleb says.

"Our next race! Charleston 500!"

"Aww, I wanted to spend more time on the simulator!"

"We don't have time! Sorry!"

"It's fine!"

Caleb and I head outside and receive our trailers, but every racer needs one of their own. Mack is Caleb's. The new driver's mine. She'll be transporting me. The trailer has pictures on the wall. The pictures of Doc and Dad hang next to the picture of me, Mom, Dad, Caleb, and Zachary.

Don't worry, Doc, I won't be a disgrace to you and your racing legacy. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll do whatever it takes to be the greatest racer in the Hudson Hornet Racing Legacy. Charleston Five Hundred will go well.

My driver rambles non-stop. She is my driver, and she'll be driving me around forever. What's she like? Is she like Mack or is she different from him in demeanor? I don't know.

"Hello, my name is Tanya, and I'm your new driver!" my new driver says.

"I'm Adelaide, and I'm the new racer who you're assigned to," I say.

"As you're on your way to Charleston Speedway, you can look at the stuff or talk to me if you would like."

Tanya continues talking. The picture of Dad and Doc racing at Willy's Butte catches my eye. I found this photo eleven years ago. I was seven, and the boys were six. This photo drives me forward.

I wandered around my mother's office while Mom was parked behind her desk reading something. When I was in her office, a box stood on a shelf, and so many things could be in such a box.

"Mom, what's in this box?" I asked.

"I have no idea, but it might be junk," Mom said.

"Junk?"

"Yeah, it's probably old stuff."

"Can I look at what's inside?"

"Hmm, it's best to leave it alone, but that's up to you."

A noise came out of the office. What were Caleb and Zachary up to again? They were so mischievous back then. I was too, but I was just minding my business for now. My mind seeked for new things.

Can you blame me for having a sense of curiosity? I don't know. Maybe, not. Curiosity can lead you anywhere. It's best to have curiosity than stay in your comfort zone for long. Curiosity should be a blessing, not a curse.

"I'll have to check what's going on outside," Mom said.

"Alright, Mom," I said.

While Mom was away for a few minutes, I moved the box from the shelf with my hood, and I slid it down carefully. Old stuff filled the box up to the top, they seemed like racing items. Mom was right. The racing items must belong to Dad, filled with Piston Cups more. A photo of him and a stranger called to me.

The picture had Dad in it. He must have answers. I leave Mom's office. He should know about him. After Dad came back from training, he, Mom, Caleb, and Zachary cleaned up and fixed the mess.

"Dad!" I yelled at him, "Can I show you something?"

"Sure, what is it?" Dad said.

"Let's go!"

I led him to Mom's office, and I showed him the stuff in the box of all his items. I showed him the photo. I pointed at the picture of both him and the stranger. Then, I pointed at the stranger again.

Who was he? I didn't even know who he was. Was he some kind of crew chief? Dad knew him. I swear he knew him. He was in the picture. If Dad's in the picture, then he should know him, or else this is false information. Dad should know everything and everything about racing.

"Who is he?" I kept on pointing at the stranger.

"That's Doc Hudson, or the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. He taught me well, and he was the greatest in his racing days until…," Dad said.

"Where's he?"

Dad started to tear up again, but my revelation turned into a dream. A dream turned to a vision. So many answers in my mind. My visions began with me. This led to my vision to restore something glorious. Doc Hudson's name had to return. It began with him and Dad, but it's my turn.

I smile with glee, and this is going to be a time of my life. However, I also cry at the same time. The three greats are a part of me, and I remember that. I'll remember these principles forever. Will it happen? Will my debut be what I want it to be?

"Tanya, Do you think I'm gonna make it as a racer?" I say.

"I think so, and I know you'll make it," Tanya says.

"Thanks, I think that's…good…enough."