I don't own Cars, but Marina is mine


"Marina, that was AWESOME!" McQueen exclaimed as she returned to the trailer. She'd collected the small amount of prize money and the plaque that came with it, her name already engraved on it. She noticed the others had already left, probably trying to beat the city traffic to get back to town. Only Doc, McQueen, and Mack were left.

"Nicely done!" Doc added, "Just like we practiced. If I didn't know better, I'd never believe this was your first time on a track."

"Thanks, Doc. I wanted to do really good for you." She turned to McQueen, "Okay, you're right. That was exhilarating."

"If you want to keep going, I can get you signed up for the season." the red car said.

"But...don't I have to be sponsored to be in the season?"

"Don't worry. I'm Lightning McQueen. I know people who can help with that."

"Assuming someone doesn't pick you up today or at another preseason." Doc said, "I'll see if some of my old sponsors are still around. But for now, congratulations on a race well run, Marina."

"Thanks." She smiled, "Let's get home, before Sheriff arranges a search party."


She was greeted by the entire town as she rolled off the trailer to the welcoming sight of the town's neon all lit up. Her friends all showered her with compliments and congratulations, Sally taking pictures of her to put next to her plaque in the racing museum with all the exhibits on Doc and McQueen. Suddenly, Ramone burst into the museum.

"Everybody, come quick! Marina's on TV!" The others parted to let Marina through to follow him. She pulled up to Lizzie's old TV just as the news came back on.

"And in sports news tonight, a surprising upset for two young racers who have dominated pre-season events here in Phoenix when a drive-on entry steals the win on the final lap. Kelly Bomgartner has the story. Kelly?" The footage switched to a red Honda Accord standing outside the track they had just left.

"Thanks Chris. A huge upset for pre-season dominators Chase Wilder and Slink Rattles when a drive-on entry named Marina Stryder blew past them to win the race, marking the first time neither of them has won." A replay of Marina's race began as the reporter continued in a voiceover.

"Marina Stryder is obviously a 1951 Hudson Hornet, a make and model that hasn't been seen on a racetrack in over 50 years. But despite the age of her type, Stryder herself is no older than Lightning McQueen, who provided her transport to the track. He also lent her his pit crew, including the Hudson Hornet himself, who told us he'd taught Marina to race himself. McQueen added that if she continues to race in the regular season, he thinks she could easily win the Piston Cup, which would make her the first rookie ever to do so. But it's all up to Marina to decide if she'll be the dark horse of this year's Piston Cup series. For WPNN, I'm Kelly Bomgartner, with sports news." The anchor went on to some other story, but she didn't care about it. She was amazed. The Piston Cup series! She hadn't even thought about it, and already people assumed she was good enough to qualify for the prestigious race series. Lightning even thought she could win it!

Well, why couldn't she? There was nothing stopping her, except her lack of a sponsor. But Doc and McQueen both said they could help with that while she raced pre-season. And she did enjoy doing it. She actually looked forward to Ramone doing her racing paintjob. Already, she couldn't wait for the next race.


She trained harder than ever now, pushing herself to get as good as she could possibly be. Sheriff even allowed her to race along the road between town and the Wheel Well so she could practice on asphalt. And every other weekend was a pre-season race. Again and again, she blew past Chase and Slink, which seemed to inspire some of the others, as they began coming in second or third ahead of Slink or Chase. But Marina was always out in front. So it was no surprise when, before the official start of the season, the Piston Cup league released their recruit list to all potential sponsors, and Marina was on the top of it. If a sponsor picked her up, she'd be officially in the season, able to qualify for the Piston Cup championship race.

The problem was getting the sponsor. But she should've known her friends would have her back.

She had just gotten home from the final pre-season race, and everyone seemed to be acting strange, as if they were trying hard not to tell her something. That was when the phone in her motel room rang. She shut the door and answered it.

"Hello, Marina Stryder here."

"Hello, Miss Stryder. My name is James Kirk. I'm with the Piston Cup league."

"Oh. What can I do for you, Mr. Kirk?"

"Nothing. I'm calling to inform you that you have been accepted under the sponsorship of the town of Radiator Springs. Apparently, every one of the town's small businesses pooled together to get you in. Lightning McQueen even chipped in. Congratulations, Miss Stryder."

"Oh my...Thank you, Mr. Kirk! This is amazing!"

"We'll see you at the first race of the season. If you have any more questions at any time, you can reach the Piston Cup office at this number. Good luck Miss Stryder." And with that, he hung up. Marina was speechless. She turned and opened the door to her room, wanting to tell everyone...only there was no one there.

"Guys?" She headed toward town, turning onto the main road.

And there they were.

A huge banner hung over the road that read "CONGRATULATIONS MARINA!" in what was obviously Ramone's painting. Beneath it, the whole town was gathered.

"You guys knew already, didn't you." Marina said in disbelief.

"These are good folk here, who care about each other," Doc said, "That includes you."

"So...all of you put in to sponsor me?" They nodded. "Wow...I don't know what to say except...Thank you. I have the best friends I could ever hope for."

"We got you something, too." McQueen said, "Luigi, Guido." The Fiat and the forklift pulled up with something on Guido's lifts covered in a gray tarp.

"You make us-a so proud on-a the track, we got-a you..." He yanked the tarp off as Marina gasped, "Four-a brand-a new racing-a tires!" Indeed they were new. The newest cutting edge whitewalls that had been designed after Lightning was seen wearing whitewalls last season.

"Wow! I love them, guys! Thanks!" Sally set up her camera with a timer, and everyone gathered around Marina, the new Radiator Springs 66 car, who had never felt so happy in her life. Finally, she had people who truly cared about her, and she was was doing something she loved. And they were all with her to make sure she could do it. In all her life, Marina had never felt more at home.


Aaaaawwwww, she got the best sponsor ever!

Please review and tell me if you notice a subtle nod to one of my other fandoms.