After some practice laps, the trio was currently resting, and seeing the sights.
"I gotta say," said Cruz, "Never seen this place before."
"Wheel Well Motel is once more the most popular stop on the mother road," said Lightning, "Just like in it's hey day."
"Say, how did you manage to live here," asked Storm, "I don't get it. You were a racer in your prime when you found this place. Why did you want to stay here?"
"The view," said Lightning, going towards the ledge.
Cruz and Storm followed, and they were shown the view.
All over, Jackson and Cruz could see Cadillac Ranch, Willie's Butte, Firewater Falls, and all of Ornament Valley.
"It's incredible!" said Cruz.
"I... I guess I was so focused on my racing I... I never stopped to smell the roses," said Storm.
"Yeah, and many people still don't come to Route 66," said Lightning, looking at the Interstate.
"How!?" asked Cruz, "This is amazing!"
"Well, back in 1964, that Interstate didn't even exist," said Lightning.
"What does that have to do with this?" asked Storm.
"Well, Route 66 was the Mother Road, the main route used to go west to California. I was told this by Sally. The road didn't cut through the land like the interstate did. It moved with the land. It rose with it, it turned with it. Cars didn't drive to make great time back then. They did it to have a great time."
1964...
Long ago, but not so very long agoThe world was different, oh yes it wasYou settled down and you built a town and made it live
Radiator Springs was busy with all sorts of cars visiting.
Flo would often be busy, giving refreshments and gas to cars.
Mater, who was a baby blue back then, was a very helpful tow truck, towing cars to and from if they broke down.
Ramone was often giving new paint jobs, and the cars would often to to Luigi's and get new tires.
Filmore and Sarge would often argue, with no surprise, and Sheriff would nap until something happened that broke the law.
And you watched it grow, it was your town
Present...
"What happened?" asked Cruz.
"The town got bi-passed just to save 10 minutes of driving," said Lightning.
Storm looked at it, and thought that before his time here, he would have passed it too without a second thought as well.
1975...
Time goes by, time brings changes, you change too
Flo, Ramone, Red, Luigi and Guido watched at the interstate was being built, excited for the new travelers to come.
Nothing comes that you can't handle, so on you go
Later in Town, Red and Mater then pull up a sign saying, 'Welcome Interstate 40 travelers'
You never see it coming when the world caves in on you
However, no one came. The whole of Route 66 was taken off the map, all to save time on driving.
On your town, there's nothing you can do
Slowly, businesses started to close down, and cars left, until a few remained, which were the current residents, excluding Lightning and Sally.
Main street isn't main street anymoreNo one seems to need us like they did before
The remaining cars can't bring themselves to leave Radiator Springs, and they decide to pull through together, and stay, incase anyone decides to come through Route 66.
It's hard to find a reason left to stay
But it's our town, love it anyway
And all the stores that were still around, put up signs saying, 'Yes, We are still Open'
Come what may, it's our town
The racers had all arrived back at the town, and Storm looked all over, seeing that some buildings were still closed.
"Have you ever seen how it looked in it's hey day?" asked Storm.
"Yeah," said Lightning, "I actually helped everyone fix their neon lights before heading to California. It was beautiful in the night."
"You know Storm," said Lightning, "You're really not that bad."
"Same to you, Champ," smiled Storm.
Soon, the group disbursed, and Storm got a call.
"You think you're ready for the big race?" asked the caller.
"Yeah," said Storm, "I think I am."
"You think!?"
"Look, Axle, I'm not taking that fuel again. It messed with my engine. Ever since I got off it, I've improved on my behavior, and actually learned things in real life!"
"You will take the fuel, unless you want to be kicked off the IGNTR Racing Team! Understand!"
"... Fine, but I won't enjoy it."
"That's what I thought. See you in Radiator Springs."
Axle hung up, and Storm growled to himself.
"What have I gotten myself into?"