Jackson was in his trailer, thinking to how to beat Quicksilver.
"Alright," he said, "Time to see a real winner race."
Jackson then opened his trailer, and came out to see something he didn't expect to see during the trip.
It was a large sign that said, Thomasville speedway: Home of 51 Fabulous Hudson Hornet
"What? Why am I here? I need to qua-"
"So, Jackson Storm. Never thought I'd see you around here."
Jackson turned around, to see an orange Hudson Pick Up Truck, with some paint peeling from his body.
"Um, can I help you?" asked Storm.
"Name's Smokey," said the truck, "And Cruz had your hauler bring you here."
"What!? But... I need to qualify for the race! Get ready for the season!"
"New rookie, right?" asked Smokey, "Stole everything from you because you were cocky."
Jackson tried to retort, but only said, "Yes."
"...You'll never be faster than Quicksilver, but you can be smarter."
Smokey then lead Storm to the track, and he saw Cruz there. She had a sticker on her rear saying, 'Quicksilver'.
"Why is Cruz here?" asked Storm, "You need to get to California, to qualify. You'll be dead last if you don-"
"You need a stand in," said Smokey, "Now, you got three laps to catch Quicksilver. I was told you know how to turn on this track, right?"
"Y-Yeah, I have some experience on this."
"Then go!"
Cruz then took off, with Storm following behind her.
Jackson tried to catch up, but Cruz was too fast for him.
He was only just a foot behind.
"Well, looks like we got some work to do," said Smokey.
On a hill, Guido was on a trailer with hay bales with Smokey pulling it.
"Now, reflexes are the main thing you need to work on! Dodge these!"
Guido then threw the hay bales, and Storm was quick to dodge, "THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THIS ON A SIMULATOR!"
"There's nothing wrong with trying new technology, but you always need to sharpen more than just your speed. Okay Guido, let's pick up the pace!"
"Ok," said Guido.
The forklift then threw an old motor, a tire, kitchen sink, oil cans, and even an anchor.
"ISN'T THAT OVER KILL!?" exclaimed Storm.
Later, they were in a field of tractors.
"Um, what's going on?" asked Storm.
Smokey closed the gate, and said, "SNEAK THROUGH THE WINDOW!" He then honked his horn, and the tractors took off, with Storm and Cruz in the middle.
"WHAT DID HE MEAN!?" asked Storm.
"WHEN A WINDOW OPENS UP, TAKE IT!"
Cruz then showed Jackson, by going between a pair of tractors.
"Oh, I get it," said Jackson, as he looked around.
That night, they showed Jackson some footage of Doc racing. With them, were racing legends River Scott, Louise Nash, and Junior Moon.
"There were times Doc would let others do the work for him," said Smokey.
"Drafting?" asked Storm, "But, why would he need that?"
"Well, Hud wasn't always the fastest car in the lot. He was put in the same situation Lightning was in when you showed up, and now you're in it with Quicksilver.
1952...
Doc Hudson was racing through the pack, and slowly making his way up
"Took Hud all at no time to work his way through the best racers in both Carolinas; passed River, passed Lou, even Junior.
"But there was still the rookie to deal with."
Doc then went along side the rookie, and the latter tried to push Doc into the wall.
"Tried slamming him into the wall. But Hud never touched any wall, unless he wanted to."
Doc then flipped over the rookie, and stole the win from him.
Smokey smiled at his friend, knowing he amazed everyone.
Present...
"That rookie never saw anything like that before."
"Wait, the Hudson Hornet did that? That's where you got that from?" asked Storm.
"Yeah," said Cruz, "And, well, you know what happened then."
"Huh," said Storm.
Later, they were on the track once more, and Jackson was improving on his performance.
"Good," said Smokey.
That evening, Smokey lead everyone towards the forest just outside of Thomasville. The moon was full and shining down from the skies above, stars twinkling in the black sky as well. It was a very peaceful evening.
"This is where we we cut our racing teeth." Smokey said to Storm.
"In the woods?" asked Jackson.
"Let's just say, the moon is always shining down on us," said Junior.
"By the way, no lights." Smokey shuts off his headlights. "Instinct only."
The other cars then turned off their head lights, and they took off.
Jackson, meanwhile, was swerving, and dodging trees and other things.
He soon got the hang of it, and jumped into the air, and felt free. More than he ever had in his life.
The next morning, they were getting one last practice set up.
"Alright," said Smokey, "This is it. Three laps to catch Quicksilver. GO!"
The two took off, and Jackson did his best to keep up with Cruz. He then drafted behind her during the second lap, and waited for turn 4, and then, he over took her, and crossed first.
"Great work boy!" said Smokey.
"I did it," said Storm, "I... I DID IT!"
"Great job Jackson!"
Jackson cheered, and then, out of nowhere, KISSED, Cruz on the lips, surprising everyone.
Jackson opened his eyes, and backed up a bit.
"Um, sorry," said Jackson.
"It's fine," said Cruz, "We should get to Florida."
"Yeah, we should," said Jackson.
Soon, they were heading to Florida, and man, was the race about to get crazy.