I'm back! Sorry, school kinda got the best of me. Anyway thank you for all the support and criticism on my previous chapters. Now to clear up some confusion that is 100% my fault. I'm making the new rookie Cal (Hank) Weathers as shown in this chapter. For me, Jackson doesn't come until 2017.
Pixar lover 1: Thank you so much, never done it before but I appreciate the support
Sam Fraser: Yes, I have seen the Detroit Auto Show clip and I assure you I am making Jackson Storm nothing like Chick Hicks. I am comparing how Chick possibly felt when all the stock cars came in.
Now onto the story!
September 13, 2015
It was officially the last race of the season and currently Lightning McQueen was tied for first place in points. The new rookie, Cal Weathers seemed to be on cloud 9 which normally if McQueen was is old arrogant self, would have been furious. Now, McQueen was actually kinda happy he was so close to winning and loosing the Piston Cup. It put a smile on his face to see Cal squeal like a little girl whenever he won a race, but what surprised him the most was his crew chief. Cal said he had gotten his uncle to coach him, at the time McQueen thought nothing of it, but after his first race, McQueen saw that it was none other than Strip (The King) Weathers. When McQueen found out he had one of the biggest nostalgia occurrences he had ever experienced, he couldn't believe that it was so long ago that he raced The King. Time really does fly by, even when though it was the King's last season when McQueen joined the Piston Cup
"Racers, to the starting line. I repeat, racers, to the starting line." A loudspeaker boomed through the stadium. McQueen shook his head awakening from his little speech to sike himself up. He went onto pit row, got the usual good lucks from his friends and a usual good luck kiss.
"How am I looking Sarge?" McQueen asked as he drove to the starting line.
"Stats are positive, your tank is full, and no faulty tires." Sarge replied in a gruff tone.
"Good luck buddy!" Mater cheered. Everything felt like a haze to McQueen, the start, the pace car, crossing the finish line to begin the race, Darrel's famous quote as the racers crossed the finish line as the race started. Next thing he knew, he was on lap 50 with 150 more to go. Currently in 3rd place, McQueen was stuck behind Cal who was currently in 2nd and Bobby Swift in first.
"Looks like we have a nice easy start to the race. Cal Weathers, nephew of Strip Weathers, is right now the latest rookie sensation and is currently tied to win the Piston Cup with world famous, 7 time Piston Cup champion and World Grand Prix racer, Lightning McQueen." Commentated Jeff Gorvette.
"And woo-wee do we have an exciting race today. Now fans everywhere are asking will Lightning McQueen be able to pull off another Piston Cup?" Darrel replied.
"There's only one way to find out, he has been racing in the Piston Cup for nine years now. Even nine years older he shows no signs of slowing down his career."
The racers were now only on lap 75 and Weathers along with McQueen were both in 1st and 2nd place.
"Lightning, you need to-a come in for a pit stop in the next a couple of laps." Luigi informed in his heavy Italian accent.
"Got it, I'll come to pit row in 5 laps." The next 5 laps were rather boring for the most part, with the exception of one car's tire bursting. Thankfully he didn't flip over and injure himself and possibly others. McQueen cringed when he saw that the car's entire rear bumper was burned and some parts even slightly torn off. Must have hurt like a bitch. Glad it wasn't me though. McQueen thought to himself as he was getting his tires changed.
The next 50 laps were very uneventful to McQueen. He managed to get back into 2nd but was 1 whole second behind Weathers.
"Fifteen laps to go and it's going to be a close one!" Darrel boomed into his microphone. Ok, fifteen laps left, go in and drive deep…...NOW! Doc's voice echoed through McQueen's mind. Turn 4 came up rather quickly and McQueen decided to make his move now. He leaned far left and used gravity to drive him down the turn into his slingshot move. McQueen managed to pass Weathers, much to Weathers' surprise. It only seemed like a matter of seconds before McQueen felt his side ram into the wall. McQueen yelped in pain only to see Weathers right next to him.
"Oh my gosh, Mr. McQueen! I'm so sorry….I-I lost traction. Are you alright? Did I hurt y-you?" Cal raced through his words, "I-I didn't mean to, a-are you injured?"
"Cal, calm down. It's ok, these things happen. It was mostly just a little shock. No worries." McQueen calmed down Cal before shaking off the rest of the pain. Cal nodded and then continued with McQueen right on his tail. They sped next to each other, side by side for what seemed like hours. Ok, last lap, give it all you got, you can do this. You're the world's fastest race car, you're Lightning McQueen! With each word McQueen thought, he pushed harder but to his disadvantage, Weathers sped up as well. McQueen got the lead on the last two laps. He could feel his heart beat thumping in his ears. His engine whined and he started shaking. The strain on his axles thumped with his heart beat. 100 feet left, 50 feet, 25 feet. McQueen narrowed his eyes for the last stretch, he neared the checkered finish line only to have a surprise next to him. Cal Weathers came up by his side and won by a bumper.
"The first ever rookie racer has just won the Piston Cup! Cal Weathers has won the Piston Cup. I can't believe it, it was such a close race! Cal Weathers in first place with Lightning McQueen close behind followed by Bobby Swift!" Darrel practically screamed into his microphone. McQueen's face widened in shock, What the hell just happened? Were the only words that flew through his mind.
"Lightnin' you's ok buddy?" Mater questioned seeing th shock on McQueen's face.
"Yea, I just… am a little surprised, ya know?" McQueen said returning to the pits. "I can't believe I just lost like that, I've never thrown a race that badly." McQueen looked over at Cal Weathers and saw his face light up with pride. Getting pat on the cab by his uncle after finishing his victory lap. Cal was nearly bouncing off the road with a grin from fender to fender. "But I guess it wasn't that bad that I lost the Piston Cup. Besides, there's always next year I guess."
"That's the spirit!" Mater cheerfully exclaimed also bouncing like a toddler driving around for the first time.
"I'm gonna go over to congratulate Cal on his win. Be back in a second." McQueen drove off the the Dinoco tent where he saw Cal, Tex, and Strip laughing together.
"Hey Lightnin', how are you doing? Come on over here." Strip Weathers motioned his tire over to their little group.
"I'm doing fine, thank you. Congratulations Cal, nice job on winning that Piston Cup and being the first rookie to ever win the Piston Cup!" Lightning smiled at Cal although in his mind, he was somewhat disappointed. But he had won 7 Piston Cups already it was about time someone else won a Piston Cup too.
"You did amazing yourself as well. I didn't think I would be able to win! And thank you for the compliment. Hey, do you want a drink?" Offered Cal, still with a cheesy grin on his face.
"No thank you, but thanks for the offer. I better be heading back to my crew, but I'll be there when you accept your Piston Cup." Lightning smiled at Cal and then drove off back to his own tent. As he drove up to his tent he heard someone call his name. Lightning turned just in time to see Sally speeding up to him giving him a full on surprise kiss. Her warm lips caressed his before pulling away. Sally laughed at the dazed look on her husband's face.
"You did amazing Stickers! Sure you didn't win, but that doesn't matter. Come on, let's go to the ceremony for Cal." Sally, still laughing gestured to the stage being set up with more cameras. Thirty minutes later, Lightning and his team were all situated in their reserved places which had been missing a certain red racecar for the past 7 years.
"Ladies and gentlecars, boys and girls of all ages. Announcing the first time, rookie sensation, Piston Cup winner, Cal Weathers!" A male voice boomed causing the surroundings to echo. Cal drove up on stage and started smiling like a lunatic accepting his Piston Cup.
"I want to thank each and every one of you. I want to thank my crew chief and uncle for helping maneuver through the crowds and supporting me each and every step of the way." The King stood slightly taller on his wheels letting himself be known. "I've had so much support this year, even from other teams! Mostly from the Rust-Eze racing center and with that I want to also thank Lightning McQueen for also being right beside me and giving me let's just say a whole lot of competition." Everyone in the audience gave a slight chuckle at this remark including Cal himself. "I also want to mostly thank Dinoco for making my dream possible. I can't wait until next year to see all of my fellow racers and the different tracks again. So once again I thank each and every one of you, fans and competition alike, crew chiefs and sponsors. I will always treasure this moment and never forget it." Just as Cal finished his speech, the crows cheered and the press came racing up to him.
"Good luck with them..." Lightning chuckled to himself before turning to head back to his tent. Lightning's exhaustion faded once he heard the all to familiar laughing of the Rust-Eze gang, even though sadly Rusty passed away the year prior.
"Here's the man we're all waiting for! Lightning, come on up here!" Dusty called over to Lightning.
"Hey guys!" Lightning drove to the small stage to begin his annual speech. "Thank you, I want to say that once again Rust-Eze had a fantastic year. We're so close to breaking our all-time sales record and for the most part, I think we will! Sure, we've lost some dear friends, and the people closest to us, but they will forever remain in our hearts and we will continue and they will live on through us. With that being said I personally thank every Rust-Eze member once again for helping me get through another racing season. So remember, with a little Rust-Eze, you to can look like me! Kachow!" Lightning's energetic speech came to a close causing applause throughout the tent. Dusty came over to Lightning as he backed into his trailer.
"Drive safety, and have a good break!" Dusty waved as Lightning's trailer closed.
Lightning sighed, Rust-Eze wasn't the same without Rusty but there's no going back. Same with Doc, Lightning was devastated when he came to the hospital only to find Doc hooked up to countless machines, to watch his life being slowly drained from him. Lightning quickly pushed the thought out of his mind and starred at his newly decorated trailer. All of his little "toys" had been removed and replaced with things to remind him of Radiator Springs when he was away. He had a snow globe from Lizzie, a flower in a pot from Red, and many other little souvenirs from Radiator Springs.
"Hey Lightning, off to Radiator Springs I assume?" Mack called to Lightning through his camera.
"Right you are." Lightning tried his best not to yawn but failed mid-sentence. Mack chuckled at this and replied,
"Ok Mr. Sleepyhead how about you get some rest. You've had a long day today."
"Thanks Mack, I appreciate it." Lightning yawned once again before closing his eyes and falling asleep minutes later.
Wow! That was a long chapter, I had a little writers block for some of it but today I really got a lot of motivation. Once again thank you all for the support and make sure to leave a review if you'd like because remember I also take criticism! -Derpderp
*Fixed some spelling errors