The following morning came. The townsfolk were near the edge of town. Sally noticed and curiously drove on out and stopped her car to the side in the dirt. The road was finished!?.. Flo spoke "He's gone?" Doc spoke "Good riddance." Sally's eyes teared a bit.. her heart broke.. Sheriff sniffled. But Sally walked away.. she couldn't believe he left. She got into her Porsche and drove back into to town. She sat down in her office chair. At least Doc was happy now.. she frowned. She loved him.. maybe? Maybe she could of.. Sally went back to reorganizing items around her motel. Boring routine. She heard a loud engine rev?. It grabbed her attention. Sally stepped outside. A few of the folks were over at Luigi's. Curious. Sally walked over.
What is going on?..She thought.
Flo smiled as Sally stood beside her to see what was going on. There. Inside was Lightning. Getting some tires for his car. He shot her a wink when he noticed her. It made her feel good. He didn't leave! She smiled warmly. "Alright Luigi give me the best set of black walls you got!".. Sally watched as McQueen got white walls on his car. Looked kinda funny. But he was being nice to Luigi. As lightning walked out while Luigi put some tires on. He walked over to Sally. "Staying a while?" Sally asked. Lightning half smiled and answered. "Well I couldn't risk going to California on old, worn out tires?" He joked. They both laughed a little. Sally spoke "That's nice of you." She said. Suddenly Lightning was pulled back into Luigi's to see the tires. "Hey! Don't make any plans tonight!" Lightning called out. Sally watched. Flo came up to Sally. "He stayed behind." Sally smiled and replied to her friend "Yeah.. he did didn't he?" Flo spoke up "How was that drive?" Flo winked. Sally rolled her eyes and giggled a little before saying "A drive. I just showed him wheel well. The highway." Flo nodded and nudged Sally's shoulder and replied "Wooh.. if that was my baby I woulda showed him a lot more than some dusty motel." She winked again. Sally shook her head then admitted "Well.. Maybe?.. A little more than that happened the night before.." Flo's eyes widened!. "Mmmmhmmm I knew it. You got that glow back." Sally giggled and sighed "But.. I can't ask him to stay behind for me?.. He has a life in California?" She frowned. Flo smiled exclaiming "Sally. I had an amazing life outside of this town? I was living my dream but then my group stopped here and I met Ramone." Sally stared listening. Flo smiled "Mmm that man stole my heart! And you know what?" "What?" Sally asked. Flo smiled warmly and glanced over at Ramones then answered "I stayed behind for him. He didn't ask. I wanted to." Sally snickered a bit. It made her think. She just never felt like she would love someone else again.. Not after Ben and the baby...
Sally headed back to her motel. Finish the organizing she had started. She couldn't leave a task undone. It would bug her than the rest of the day. It was getting late. Dark out.
Sally was walking to Flo's. Thought she'd grab a bite for dinner like usual. See about seeing Lightning again. He would probably be leaving for his race.. no one was at the cafe?.. "Flo?" She called. "That's odd?" She walked out and looked around. She saw everyone's old cars out? Like when they had that cruise night a while back?.. then she saw the crowd of folks.. something was up. She walked over to Ramones. Everyone greeted her. Now she knew something was going on.. "Alright.. what's going on?" They were all dressed up in their nice outfits.. cruise night?.. maybe? Mater cleared his throat and yelled. "Introducing! The Nnneeewwww... Lightning McQueen!" They all moved out the way to reveal McQueen in his car. He pulled out and revved it a bit. It was loud. It got Doc's attention down town. It was painted with white walls.. it looked good!
Lightning got out the window. He was wearing a nice little get up himself. A black suit. No tie. He cleaned up nice!
"What do ya think?! Radiator Springs looks pretty good on me?" Sally chuckled a bit checking him out "I'll say!?... kachow?.." she chuckled. Lightning smiled. He knew he had her now. "You're gonna fit right in, in California!?" She blushed. Lightning snickered. Sally continued. "Oh my goodness it looks like you've helped everyone here?!" She smiled widely. She fell in Love a little more. He could be caring. Not such a big jerk. Lightning answered back "Everyone expect one." He looked into her eyes. Sally didn't know what she needed? What he could help her with. She didn't need anything? She didn't want anything?..Well.. Expect maybe him again.. Lightning called out toward Lizzie's. "Hey! Is it getting dark out!?" Lizzie forgot what to do. "Let me say that again... is it getting dark out!" He yelled. Red hit the radio. And suddenly Sally's eyes became full! Her jaw dropped!.. "He fixed their neon?!.." she smiled. The music played loudly. Shboom by the chords. Lightning stood close to Sally. She thanked him. He smiled warmly. He done good. Everyone started dancing together. The lights. The music. It was beautiful. "You didn't need to do this for me?" Sally exclaimed. Lightning shrugged.
Lightning held his hand out "Shall we cruise?" Lizzie ran up and took him to dance! "No!.. I!?.." But hey were off Lightning mouthed the words. 'Help me.. please'. Sally giggled. Lizzie was pretty agile for an old woman. Mater came up to Sally and asked for a cruise/dance. They did for a moment. Then Sally asked. "Hey can you go get him for me?" Mater smiled "Shoot! Yeah!? Watch this!" He winked. He snuck Sheriffs cuffs and key. He didn't even notice he was having such a good time. Sally watched as Mater snatched Lightning cuffing him. It startled him. Mater pulled him alone. Releasing the cuffs next to Sally. "Thanks Mater!" She called out. Mater winked and said "Good evening you two!" That man! Lightning took Sally. Dancing slow for a moment he took a shot and put his hand on her cheek. Stoking it. Not sure if she'd like to get a little closer. Sally didn't mind at all. She pulled Lightning hips closer to her and put her hands around his neck. Lightning smiled and put his cheek to hers as he was a bit nervous to just go in and kiss her. They could feel each other's warm breaths. Flo called out "Is that what I think it is!?" Sally answered "Oh I don't know Flo.. I hadn't had a chance to find out but I am going.. to.. find.. out hello.." Lightning Smiled. Oh he had her like putty in his hands.. they about took this further and kissed but Flo stood beside them and spoke up "Not that!? That!" Sally let go of McQueen. Lightning was suspicious of the way the lights looked?.. Sally asked "Customers?.." Lightning looked into it more.. was that Mack?.. suddenly a huge spotlight beamed down on him! It startled the townsfolk. Sally even backed away from him.. then Lightning was smothered with camera and writers and press! He lost Sally! "Sally!" Then Sally saw the trailer with Lightning huge face on it!.. his white smiled and flirtatious pose!.. it hit her how real this was!.. how he was really some famous race car driver!? She was stupid to think... Sally made her way around the truck and trailer. McQueen noticed her and walked to face her.. they stared at each other.. gazing in each others eyes.. she looked as if she was about to cry.. "Sally.. I want you.. look I wish.." he was having trouble finding his words again.. Sally thanked him "for everything." Lightning smiled and brushed it off saying "It's just a road?." Sally shook her head and answered "No.. it was much more than that..". Lightning's eyes widened.. It hurt kinda. For the first time he could feel his heart break a little.. "Good luck in California... I hope you find what you're looking for.." Sally said almost bursting into tears.. Lightning reached his hand out to stop her "Sally!.. Sally wait!?" But he was stopped by countless other people.. he had to leave. He had to go..
Sally along with the town watched as the truck took off.. With it all the reporters.. Sally started to walk away.. She overheard one woman, "Are you Doc Hudson?" Sally stopped and listened, "Thanks for the call." The women left.. Sally stared.. She was hurt and shocked by Doc.. Docs eyes widened at Sallys stare...
"You called them?" Sally asked.. Doc answered.. "It's best for everyone Sally." Sally lowered her brows and replied, "Best for everyone? Or best for you?"She walked away upset and hurt.. Doc followed her for a moment.. The lights went off.. The music stopped.. Everything was as it was before the kid came to town..He sighed.. Doc felt bad now..
Sally looked around her office.. It was to quiet now.. She felt empty. Doc knocked on her door.. Sally glared at the old man.. Doc frowned.. "Sally.. I'm sorry.. I didn't want you to get hurt?.." Sally rolled he eyes and replied, "We both know that's not why you sent him away." Doc sighed.. Even if he was the towns father figure and care taker.. Sally was putting him in his place a bit.. Sally spoke, "I can't believe you.. You know that? You go as far to mess with other peoples lives? Just for some silly secret? I didn't care that you were a racer? That you crashed? Because you were my friend? And this town? They are your friends?" Doc took a breath and replied, "it's not like that Sally?.." Sally crossed her arms and scorned, "Its not? So why is so bad if your friends knew who you really were?" Doc stared.. He didn't have an answer... Sally sighed and continues. "Maybe McQueen has more heart than you..". Doc thought about those words. Did he really become that distant? "We're closed. You should go Doc." Doc frowned and left.. Sally locked up behind him. .. maybe he shouldn't have done that.. Doc started to think how he was gonna make this right.. Sally was right..
Doc went home. He walked into his garage. He stared at the old race car.. he brushed the hood with his hand as he walked over to the poster on his wall...
The Hudson hornet has crashed!
"You're history! Old news! I had to move on. To someone younger. Someone new. I'm sorry Hudson. That's racing!"
Docs sponsor yelled. Doc tried to explain,
"No! You can't do this? I'm the Hudson hornet!? Look at everything I've given you guys? I can still race! There's a lot in me still?" His sponsor sighed and answered. "I'm sorry. It's already done. It's time to move on Hudson." Smoky, his crew chief frowned amd stared at the racer. Hudson stomped off angry. Smoky tried stopping him "Hud.. Hud wait..." But Hudson ignored his friend.
Doc sighed... he thought about what Sally said.. would it be so bad if his friends knew..
Ankther routine Morning came.
Early early. You heard music. Then sarge yell
"Would you turn that disrespectful junk off!"
Then Fillmore "respect the classics!"
When the town all started up and going to Flos. They noticed a car out front. They all stared at it.. Doc sipped his coffe inside the diner. Looking at his friends outside. He sighed and mumbled.. "Let's get this over with.."
He walked outside. All the townsfolk except Sally, stared. Jaws dropped. Mater spoke up, "Doc whose car is this? Is this another fancy race car?" Ramone spoke up "McQueen was telling the truth?" Doc frowned and answered. "I haven't been completely honest with you all...And I'm sorry..". Doc felt so stupid. So ashamed. Like a child in trouble. "I use to be a racer..". Everyone gasped. Lizzie spoke up. "What did he say?" Doc continued. "I crashed.. I went back to school and finished my studies.. then drove and found you guys.. I was treated like useless trash back in the race world after the crash.. I didn't want you all treating me different. Like a celebrity. I wanted to be normal and forget that life.. but..". Sally walked up. She smiled warmly.. Doc finished up saying "But I guess that life came back to me.. I'm sorry..". The town smiled. They accepted Doc. They laughed. Flo spoke "Doc we love you no matter what!" Then sarge "Still our Doc to us." Then Luigi "We could have been ordering racing tires!?" Doc chuckled and smiled. He was glad his friends didn't care. Not like he thought. Doc then said "I'm sorry I sent the kid away like that.. I called them to get him..". The folks kinda gave a look...
Doc turned toward Sally. "I'm sorry. I'd make up for it if I knew how." Sally frowned. Mater spoke up. "Let's go get McQueen!" He said with a huge smile. Ramone answered "He's at a race man?" They all frowned. Doc realized. And said then "Luigi, Guido? How would you like to do a real pit stop boys?!" Guido was bouncing up and down confused but excited. Doc explained. "McQueen doesn't have a crew." The town came close listening. "Let's get to that race and help him." Ramone spoke up. "Let's do it man!"
Sarge spoke "But we don't know how to be a race crew?" The townsfolk agreed with sage. Sally stepped in saying "Look around!? Lightning didn't know how to fix a road? He fixed your neon? Right?" Mater yelled smiling "And I didn't get to say goodbye still!" Doc answered "Let's get to the race. Whose coming!?" With that most the town got in their cars and headed to the race quickly. "We gotta hurry if we are gonna be there in time! Let's move!" Sarge ordered...
Sally, Red and Lizzie stayed behind. They watched the race on an old outdated tv at the diner. Hoping that Doc and the folks made it in time. They did. Lightning started racing a whole lot better once Doc and the town was there. Guido was so fast at the pit stop! Once McQueen was caught back up...even drove backwards! It was amazing! It was the craziest thing the racing world saw on a while! McQueen was going to win! He'd be the first Rookie in history! "You got it Stickers!" Sally screamed excited. She got into it! But then! The king crashed!
Sally couldn't believe what she saw. Then McQueen stopped. Literally inches from the finish line... he backed up and pushed the king across the finish line. It was so selfless. So amazing... it made Sally fall for him more. But she knew she wouldn't see him again.. she smiled with tears.. He done the right thing.. she missed him.. that's why she didn't go.. if she went to the race. Sally was afraid she'd wanna stay. Or be hurt that McQueen would get wrapped up in the race and treat her like an item again.. she sighed. She walked back to her motel.. sad. Happy for the kid. But sad she wouldn't see him again...
After some fan photos and a bit of interviews. Lightning was alone with the crew from Radiator Springs. He smiled at them and said "Thank you.. All of you." They all smiled. Mater slapped McQueen's back "Shoot it was my idea!" Lightning chuckled. Doc spoke up "You did good out there kid." Lightning nodded replying "What changed your mind old timer?" Doc sighed answering "Well.. These guys are good people.. I just never realized how good I had it." Lightning smiled then looked around and asked "Wait?.. Where's Sally? She didn't come?" Flo frowned answering "No.. She stayed behind.." Lightning frowned and wandered if he did something wrong.. Then Lightning's sponsors came up to him "Congratulations kid! You were incredibly amazing!" "I'll bet we can buy you some headlights now!" Lightning faked a smile and replied "Yeah yea I just.." "Come on kid!? The oldies wanna hear from you and congratulate yuh!" Rusty said and kinda pushed Lightning toward the sponsor tent. Lightning turned to the towns folks but.. They were already leaving...