I don't own Cars.

Thanks to m1schiefmanaged, there is now an official playlist for this fic. It's still a work in progress, but you can see what we have so far at www . youtube . com /playlist?list=PLICsS_fldm2VnlJxJEfbcu-g5j5WGWon2 (remove spaces)


"That. Was. AWESOME!" McQueen exclaimed when he was finally able to get to Doc and Marina, "Doc, you were amazing!...But, why were you in the race?"

"In one word, Marina." the old car replied, earning a grin from the black Hornet, "Well, actually, I've missed racing, and long story short, Marina talked me into coming back. We didn't say anything because we wanted to surprise you. Marina said you talk about how you wish you could've seen me race."

"Yeah, I do." McQueen nodded.

"Well, wish granted." Doc said with a smile, "And next time, you'll be out there with me. Marina too."

"It'll be an honor, Doc." Lightning said, "But wait...if you're racing, who's our crew chief going to be?"

"I already thought of that." said Doc, "and I've got it arranged. Guido has two of his brothers, Mario and Giordanno, moving in from Italy to be part of our pit crew. They're just as fast as he is. And here comes our new crew chief. I think you'll like him, Lightning." Lightning turned around and saw none other than Strip "The King" Weathers there.

"Mr The King? You're our crew chief"

"I sure am, Lightnin'. When the Hudson Hornet himself called and asked, there was no way I could tell him no."

"Oh wow!" Marina gushed, "This is so cool!"

"Linda and I had been thinkin' about moving anyway. We're in Houston right now, but-"

"Sick of the city?" Marina guessed, "I know what that's like." Strip turned to her.

"You must be Marina Stryder." he said, "I liked that speech you gave to the media after your first win."

"Thanks, sir." Marina said. Strip continued.

"I've seen your races, even the preseasons. For someone who's just learned racing, you're pretty talented. I'm excited to work with you."

"I'm excited to work with you too." Marina said. Just then, Mack drove up.

"You guys ready to go?" Doc nodded, and he and Marina boarded McQueen's trailer.

"Keep up your training with Doc, Lightnin'." Strip said, "I'll be moving in soon, and I'll expect you to be ready."

"Don't worry, sir, I will be." Even as Strip drove off, McQueen was still grinning as he went to find Sally for the drive home.


Their next race came up fast. Like Lightning's tie-breaker, it was a huge sellout. The news of Doc's official return (which he'd announced in an interview after the race where he surprised McQueen) had spread like wildfire. All three were excited.

Strip Weathers had quickly moved into town, and everyone held a celebration at Flo's to welcome the Weathers couple. It was here that Flo had pulled Marina aside, saying she needed her help.

"What is it, Flo?"

"Well, mine and Ramone's anniversary is the day you all get back from the race." Flo said, "and this year, I'd like to take him somewhere a little nicer than my station. I was wondering if maybe you could get Lightning or Doc or Strip to...use their status and get us in somewhere fancy." The show car looked hopeful.

"I have a better idea." Marina said, "Follow me." She led Flo to one of the abandoned shops in downtown. Red and Sheriff had fixed up the apartment attached to it for her.

"I did some renovating of my own," Marina explained, "Sally and Lightning, and of course Red and Sheriff have been helping me. They said I should have a business of my own, so I decided on a more upscale, tavern-pub restaurant. Family friendly, of course." She opened the door and Flo saw the almost finished restaurant, its walls paneled in some dark wood, like an English pub or something. She noticed Marina had included a stage at the back large enough for a house band and a singer, and a dancefloor in front of it. The tables were also dark wood, as was the bar to one side. Flo could see where they had knocked down the walls of a couple of the abandoned shops to expand the place.

"I've got some recipes and things from Chicago and my parents to start the menu off. Flo, consider yourselves the first reservation at The Hornet's Nest." Marina smiled.

"Miss Stryder, you are amazing. This is just the kind of place I had in mind!" Flo said excitedly, "Ramone will love it! Thank you!"

"Sheriff actually thought of the name," Marina explained, "since my apartment's attached to it in the back. And don't worry, she'll be ready to open by the time your date comes. But I'll have Sheriff and Red hold off on the front of the building until you two leave with us for the race. That way, you can surprise him."

"I love it." Flo said, "This will be our first perfect anniversary. Everything a girl could want."

"Glad I could help." Marina said. "We better head back before someone misses us." The two quickly left The Hornet's Nest, which still looked abandoned and boarded up from the front. Flo had to cough to get rid of her smile. Every year, Ramone had done something to her station to surprise her for their anniversary. Now it was finally her turn.


Strip rode with Lightning in his trailer to the race, so Marina and Doc shared Strip's trailer. Strip's driver, a big Western Star named Houston, was excited to finally be taking someone to a race again, eve if it wasn't Strip. Actually, Houston was ecstatic. He, of all trucks, was hauling the legendary Hudson Hornet! He'd never been more honored. Strip had talked to him about the racer who inspired him before, and now Houston was hauling him. He and Mack chattered excitedly the entire way, that is, until Doc barked at them to "shut up, for Peterbilt's sake!" which earned a stifled giggle from Marina.

When they arrived at the track, Strip wasted no time before getting his racers out onto the track. They had been the first ones to arrive, and Strip wanted to take advantage of having the track to themselves as much as he could. From a crew chief's stand, he gave instructions to all three through their commlinks.

"McQueen, good pace, but straighten up a little. Yes, like that. Marina, use the end of the turn to increase your speed. Let yourself be pulled out of it. Good, good. Doc, you're on asphalt now, you don't need to grip as much. Let up a little. There you go, you've got it." Doc wanted to point out that he'd been racing longer than any of them, which was true, but Strip and the others had more experience on asphalt than he did. Besides, Strip was careful not to talk down to any of them. He pointed out what they were doing wrong, but he did so in an encouraging way, talking them through until they got it right. Doc had a lot of respect for that. It was what he had done for Lightning and Marina, and he appreciated that Strip apparently shared his ideas on training.

And anyway, Doc had been the one to ask him for this. It was actually a relief that it wasn't all on him to know what to do. Strip was familiar with the others they would be racing against, so he could warn Doc if any of them tried to play dirty.

"Alright, team, bring it in." Strip called over the comm. The three of them headed back to Pit Row, where Strip met them.

"Excellent job, all three of you. It'll be tougher tomorrow, with more cars out there. Which is why I want you three to work as a team out there. Help each other out out whenever you can. These others are going at it on their own, so you three will have an advantage. Ideally, one of you three will win, so let's shoot for that. I don't care who wins, but I want one of you to do it. Don't decide now, decide who has the best chance while you're racing tomorrow." He smiled. "And of course, it's an honor to be crew chief for Team Radiator Springs." The three nodded their thanks, then headed to the track's on-site hotel to turn in for the night, exhausted after the long drive and the training session, but eager for morning, and the race to come.