Lightning followed behind Kyle. Taking his place once again. He knew he would more than likely loose.. But he was pissed. He was frustrated. What was he to do? Kyle would wreck him at every turn. Kyle or someone.. The flag dropped and the race continued..
It was a fight. From 225 laps to 80 laps. Lightning pushed it. Pushing his car the best way he could. Doc watched from the pits. Guiding and coaching the younge racer. "Ease up kid.. Don't need an accident today." Doc warned. Lightning was way too quiet. Just eyeing the cars ahead. Thinking and trying to get ahead. Then there was Bobby. Oh he was still pissed at Bobby for what he did!
80 laps to 50.. 50 to 25.. The race continued. Kyle keeping Lightning form getting ahead in the race. Lightning pushing it, pushing himself hard. He was tired.. Tired of this game he was playing with Kyle. Tired of hearing about staged races. He had had enough of this. And now losing was creating a bad rep for himself. He hated that most of all because he worked way too dam hard to just loose over som car of tomorrow!
25 to 20... 20 to 10.. The final laps grew close. 10 to 8.. 8 to 5.. 5 to 3...
"Here we are Bob. The final three laps and this is gonna be good." Said Daryl. Bob agreed with a nod. "Sure is Daryl. McQueen is racing hard today. You can just see it with how tight he is driving that old race car." "Yes Sir! This is where it all happens. Everyone on the edge of their seats.. Gripping the wheels tighter as they near the final lap itself!"
Doc watched. Lightning was in third position. Second was Cal Weathers.. First was Tony. It was predictable that Tony would win this race. But Lightning would still put up a fight for it.
Final lap. Lightning closed in on Cal. Behind them was Kyle. Kyle was out to wreck McQueen and pretty much every racer knew it. Kyle's crew chief looked over at Doc, Lightning's coach. Doc noticed. That probably was a hint that Kyle was about to try something. Doc watched and warned his racer. "Watch Kyle kid.. Think he's about to run you up.." "Not this time!" Lightning yelled then slowed.
"Why are you slowing down?" Asked Doc. Lightning didn't answer. He slowed and let Cal take the lead. Letting Kyle drive right beside him. Door to door. Kyle looked over at Lightning for a moment then shoved into the side of the Bolt! BAM!
"AND WE HAVE CONTACT! Kyle and McQueen are scraping metal! Tony and Cal making their way to the checkered flag!" Said the announcer! Fans watched and gasped! Eager to see how this would be played out between these two drivers!
Lightning pushed hard against Kyle! Kyle pushing back! "NOT THIS TIME!" Growled Lightning. Kyle looked ahead. They were closing in on Cal. Kyle suddenly backed off and went behind the Bolt. Honestly, Lightning expected Kyle to ram the rear of his car, but he didn't. Instead, Kyle whipped around him. Odd?
Kyle looked over. Tony was nearing the finish line with Cal, Lightning, and Kyle all lined up like three ducks for another tie breaker. Kyle's brows lowered as he shouted "See what happens when you wreck your own!" Then he slammed into Lightning's car again! This caused Lightning to get shoved towards Cal, slamming his side straight into the passenger side of Cal's car!
This reaction caused Cal to go downhill! Megan gasped at the sight! Cal's car turned towards the infield! The car was going fast! Like it had no brakes! Lightning managed to get his car under control as Kyle passed him, but Cal!
Cal's car went straight into the infield, dirt flying as it just plowed through and passing the pit lane pavement then BAM! Hitting the safety wall near the pits! Fans were in shock! White powder and foam flew everywhere as the car's rear jumped up! Then slamming back down hard onto all fours! The rescue crew ran to help Cal! Lightning was quick to ask "Is Cal okay!?" Silence.. "DOC!.." Silence. Tony crossed the finish line, Kyle second, Lightning third!
Lighting was quick to exit the track and put his car to a stop! Getting out as he was crowded by press and fans! "Yeah, yeah.. Let me through!" He yelled. He took off his helmet and tossed it aside! Rushing and pushing through the crowded area to get to the accident. "Cal!" He shouted. "Cal!" He shouted again! Barely making it through the crowds! It felt like forever before Lightning finally made it to the scene. The car was tore up against the safety wall. The wall broke up into pieces! There, was Cal already on a gernie and being placed into an ambulance. Megan pushed through the crowd and passed Lightning.
Lightning quickly called out, "Meg! Megan call me please! I didn't mean to! I.." The doors hut and ambulance rushed out of there! "I'm sorry..." Lightning whispered as he was surrounded by microphones and cameras. The golden boy just wrecked the King's nephew.. That was going to be racing head lines for sure...
Lightning sat in the hospital waiting area along with Bobby and Strip and Linda. All eager to hear news about cal's condition. Then RSN began up on the tv.
"No shock here today as Tony took another win in the car of tomorrow. Kyle taking second, followed by Lightning McQueen. Here on sight with Kori are our winners. To tell about an accident that happened today in the final lap and final stretch of today's race. Kori." The screen went o Kori who stood next to winner, Tony. "Hi, Kori here. Standing next to winner, Tony. Tony, how does it feel to be making history with the past few races?" She asked and placed the mic to his face. Tony shrugged answering "It feels great. Just glad and.. Happy to be driving the safest car out there on the track." "Any comment on Cal Weather's accident today?" She asked. Tony sighed answering "Yeah, sure. Crashes happen man. Um.. Terrible that it was during the final lap. Hate that it happened but hey, it's part of racing Kori."
Lightning sighed and watched. All of them watched really.
Kori nodded then turned to Kyle and asked "And Kyle, how do you feel about Cal Weather's accident? Some say it was you who caused his accident." Kyle shook his head replying "No, no. That was not my fault. For one, if Weathers knew how to drive a car, he could have made a great come back. And second, that was all McQueen. He was distracted and off today. Anyone who races with him could tell you that. McQueen was aggressive today. His racing has changed and he's no good. It's what happens with one hit wonders." He shrugged.
Kori then moved over to Lightning and asked "McQueen, care to make a comment to that and the accident?" Lightning stared at the camera, at Kori then answered. "It wasn't my fault, but I'll take the blame. Um.. It shouldn't have happened and I'm disappointed in Kyle and myself. If maybe.. I don't know?.. We watched ourselves than Cal wouldn't have crashed. That's all.." "Well wait.. What about the Car of Tomorrow? What are your thoughts on the vehicle? Do you think Cal could have walked away unharmed if he were driving it?" Asked Kori. The cameras zoomed in on Lightning. Eager to hear what the champ and golden boy had to say. Lightning sighed answering "Sure.." Then walked off and out of sight of the camera...
Lightning broke. He teared up a bit and said "I'm so sorry.. I never meant for Cal to crash.." he looked over at Linda and Strip saying "I never would wreck him. I never meant for this!" He was hurting with guilt. Linda looked at Strip. Strip nodded saying "I know Lightnin. Cal knows to. You'd never wreck a racer." Lightning really hated what he caused. Bobby then spoke up saying "Besides, this ain't your fault man. It's dam Kyle!" Strip agreed. "That I do know. But nothing we can do for now.. It'll be okay Light. I don't want you feeling guilty about this. It was just an accident. Happens all the time." He assured. Lightning wiped his eyes and nodded.
He still felt guilty and was really hoping that Cal would be okay. Then out from the double doors came Megan. Everyone looked to her for answers. Linda stood up asking "How is he? How's our boy?" Megan sighed answering "Broken arm, broken ribs.. A lot of bruising, but he'll be fine. He's resting now." Everyone let out gasp of relief really. Lightning especially! "When can we see him?" Lightning asked quickly. Megan began to answer, but then Strip stepped in saying "Now. I don't care. Resting or not.. I understand. Go on Light. It's okay Meg." He assured his nephew's wife. Megan nodded then took only Lightning back to Cal's room.
They entered quietly. Cal was already bandaged up. Cast on his arm. He looked to be sleeping. Megan walked up to him and softly announced. "Cal.. Lightning is here to see you." Cal was on pain killers by the looks of it. He was scuffed up and scratched up, but alive and okay. Lightning walked up nervously. "Hey pal..." he greeted. Cal looked at Lightning and smiled. "Hey, Lightnin.. Glad to see you man.." Lightning nodded and almost cried. "You scared me out there Cal." He admitted. Cal snickered replying "Awe.. I'm fine. Just a few bruises." Oh he wasn't feeling it too badly yet.
"Glad you're okay Cal.." Lightning added. Cal smiled and nodded. Laying there in the bed. Megan took and grabbed his good hand. Cal gazed at Megan then back to Lightning said "Light.." "Yeah?" "Make him pay." Firmly. Lightning stared at his friend a moment. Thinking about that before nodding and leaving the room. Lightning passed Strip and Linda who were on the way to Cal's room and made his way back to Bobby.
"How does he look?" Bobby asked. Lightning sighed answering "He'll be okay. Back at the track in no time." Bobby let out a sigh of relief. "Glad to hear it." Lightning nodded then thinking about what Cal said. "Bobby." He called. Bobby stared and waited a moment as Lightning hesitated a second for two. Still thinking. "Kyle has to pay.." Said Lightning. Bobby's brows lowered with a single nod of his head. "Agreed." Replied Bobby. "What you got in mind?" He asked. Lightning thought a moment before answering "A little trick for the next race.. Time he gets what's been comin.." he growled...
Lightning shut the door of his trailer. He was exhausted!.. Just a hard race and stressful night with worrying about Cal for while there. He let out a sigh of relief then finally grabbed out his phone to see three missed calls from Sally. "Crap.." he muttered then immediately dialed her number and called. It barely rang she answered so quick!
Lightning! Oh thank Chrysler! I have been worried sick!
"Why?"
Well.. Cal crashed... How is he?
"He's fine. A few broken bones and some bruising. He'll be fine and back to racing in no time."
But he heard her sniffle and cry a little.
"Woah, hey.. Sal? What's wrong?"
I just... I know this will sound stupid, but.. I just.. I'm afraid you will crash like that or worse!...
"What? Me? Sally.. Come on.."
No! Do not put it off anymore.. You have been in a few small ones already!.. And you say it yourself! Crashes happen. And this one hit close Stickers!...
"Yeah.. Sally, I swear I won't ever crash to badly.. You gotta understand that.. Well like you just said, crashes happen.. But I'll be safe."
Lightning...
"Yes?"
What if.. What if the car of tomorrow really is safer.. What if.. What if you gave it a try?..
"What?.. Sal.."
I am not asking you to take the deal!.. I'm asking you to do whatever it takes to keep yourself safe! To come home to me..
"Oh Sally.. I'll always come back to you. I promise. I love you way too much."
But you love racing more.
"Not true."
So if it came down to it, one day.. I mean like one day, far, far in the future.. Like when we have kids and are much older. You'd quit? For us?
"... Well.. Of course. I'd be retired by then surely."
Wait.. You want to wait until you're retired to have kids?
"Look... It's been a horrible day.. I am exhausted and.."
Lightning.. Please.. Consider the new car.. Just.. I don't want to lose you..
Lightning sighed. "Yeah.. Okay.."
Thank you...
"Love you Sally. I'll see you in a few days."
Love you to Light.. Be safe.
"I will."
He hung up and stood there. Thinking. What if he did Crash like that? Or worse?...
Minty just sat down with a beer and began watching some tv when her phone rang. She sighed. "Every time.." she growled then got back up and picked up the old corded phone and answered. "Hello?"
Hey Mom.. It's me..
"Monty? Well, everything okay? Kind of late to be calling ain't it?"
Lightning lit a cigarette and smoked as when answered her "Yeah.. I just wanted to talk."
Alright. Well you know I'm here anytime honey. What's on your mind?
"Um.. Nothing really.. How are you? Everyone doing alright?"
Yep. Everyone seems alright. What about you baby? You sure everything is okay?
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm in New Hampshire right now.. Just finished a race a few hours ago."
Sally with you?
"No, just me. She's back at the house. Working a lot, you know.."
Yeah.. I admire her. Monty.. You seem off baby, what's going on?..
"Did you watch the race?"
No. No, why? What happened?
Panic started in her voice.
"Nothing. I'm fine. But.. One of my friends crashed tonight. Pretty badly. Broke a few bones.. I mean, he'll be fine though."
That's good. Which one was it? The party boy or the nice one?
"The nice one. Cal."
Awe okay. I like him. He seems nice on tv.
"He is.. He's a good guy.. I love you Mom. You know that, right?"
Yes. What's going on?
"Nothing.. Well.. Sally got scared that.. I don't know.. She thinks I might crash like that one day and.. I mean I won't. I never will, but.."
Minty wouldn't point it out due to Lightning's pride and ego, but she could hear it in his voice. He was afraid.
Hey. You are the best racer out there Mon.
"Most of the best racers crash.."
Well, sure.. But that's cause they didn't have someone like Doc Hudson training them daily. Telling them how to well.. Not crash.
"Maybe."
It's okay to be scared Monty.
"I'm not scared."
Of course not. But.. If you were.. That would be okay.
"Yeah, but.. I'm not."
Well, I love you son. And I'll always be here whenever you need me. Especially when you're not scared, you know?
"Thanks Mom.. Sorry I called late."
Are you kidding? You are always so busy, I rarely hear from you. You need to send me one of them pit pass thingies. Then I can come back there and see you myself. Give you a big ole hug and embarrass you in front of all your racing buddies.
"Mom... No."
Might be fun.
"Not really. Hey.. One more thing."
Sure.
"... "
Monty?
"I was offered some money, well a deal..by the president of stock car racing. Deal is that I have to loose a few races on purpose to help promote a new race car design that is supposedly safer.. In other words.. Make the car look good.."
What? I don't understand?
"To make the car a new standard, the teams' sponsors and coaches have to be on board and the car does have a few flaws.. Like for one.. It's slower.. And some drivers might be forced to loose even more weight."
They want to make you loose weight?!
"Well, not me in particular.. Any driver that's weight is to heavy for the new car. Anyway.. They want me to slow it down and let this safer new design win so it can become the new standard. This means I'd be driving it to."
Well is it? Is it safer?
"Uuh.. It's been tested via computer simulation..."
What's that mean?
"It's been tested by a computer and not by a machine or road."
Oh heck no! Why would they think of trusting a computer. They need to test it like they do those car crash things on the belt machine.
"I know..."
What are you asking Monty?...
".. Nothing.. I just.. I have to go take the deal.. So no one else gets hurt.."
I'm not sure I really understand Monty..
"It's fine. Don't worry about it... The racer who caused the chain reaction today just.. I'll be honest Mom.. I want to see him slam into a wall. I know I shouldn't.. I know it's wrong.. But he is so.. Rough!.. He needs to get a taste of what he's doing to other people like Cal.."
Monty McQueen.. I know I did not hear you just say you want to hurt someone. That's not you!
"I know... I just... He deserves it."
No! No son of mine will cause someone pain like that. What if you killed him Monty? Hmm? Is that what you want!?
"No!.. Of course not Mom.. I just.."
I know you're angry Monty..But please... Promise me that you will NEVER harm another racer. Promise me.. Because that person is someone's baby.. Maybe even someone's father, I don't know.
"He doesn't have kids.. But.. You're right.. Sorry.."
Mmhmm.. I'll be watching next weeks race Mon. Don't give in to your emotions.. Revenge is not the answer.
"I know Mom.. I won't, okay?"
Okay. Good. So... Now that that is off the table.. How are you and Sally doing? Is loving toggling well?
"We're good. Doing great Mom. And I really love living with her. She's my best friend."
And...
"And?"
And when do you plan to marry her?
"Mom!.. No.. Not yet. Actually not for a while I think.. Pretty sure she'd start asking me to retire if I asked her.."
No she wouldn't. You're young. Don't need to worry about that yet. Sally is a supportive girl. A good woman and there aren't many like her. Better be treating her well. No eye candy.
"Mom... Stop, please.."
Well I'm glad y'all are doin Well. I miss you baby.
"Miss you to Mom. I gotta go. Long flight tomorrow. I'll talk again soon.."
Okay Monty.
She knew he probably wouldn't though.
"Bye Mom."
Safe travels Monty...
Morning came. Lightning was up earlier than usual so he could rush over and speak with the President of the sport again.
He went over to the where the president was staying. A trailer at the track like some of the racers did. Lightning knocked on the bright white trailer. "Excuse me.. Sir.. It's Lightning McQueen.." he announced. He heard the trailer creak a bit then a lock and the door opened and the President, wearing a blue. puffy, long robe; looked down at Lightning. "Little early Kid.." the man huffed. Lightning frowned and nodded. "Yes Sir.. Sorry Sir.." The man sighed and asked "Well.. What are you hear for Mr. McQueen?" Lightning sighed and got to it. "I'll lose.. Okay?.. Tell Kyle to back off and I'll lose.. I'll let Tony lead.."
The president was surprised, but not completely. He had Kyle running hard on Lightning. "I already gave your offer to Kyle. I can't give you any money." The man explained. Lightning sighed and nodded, replying "That's fine.. Just tell Kyle to back off. He doesn't have to worry about me anymore." "Good choice. This new car will save lives Lightning." Lightning nodded replying "Yeah.. I sure hope so.." then turned and walked away. The president did hate doing that to Lightning, but it was for the good of the sport in the long run...