Forty cars. One winner. Each as fast as the other. Grinding rubber on tarmac with a viciousness seldom seen.
Do you back down?
Competition fuels each and every racer on the track. No contact, but stares from each opponent just as scathing as if there was.
Do you back down?
These forty, driven by their lust for the win, push themselves far beyond their limit, and only one crosses the line first.
Do you back down?
When millions of eyes stare, roaring mouths agape, and you feel at one with the wind as you pass through at light speed...
Do. You. Back. Down?
The Piston Cup has united racing fans across the country for decades. They're loud and proud, with a passion unlike any other connecting them in a hive-mind-like state. Cup races aren't 'just another race' to them; it's their livelihood. It's what they were made for. All the better for the higher-ups; constant merch flow and an affable fan base to exploit. Both sides were loving life.
But, things are a different for the racers nowadays. In fact, they couldn't be further from.
Each season, they got faster, they got smarter; they got better. Simply put, as technology advanced, so did they. And where can a racer go once they're so good, they're practically 'perfect'?
That's what's dividing the Cup's fan base at the moment. Some like the rising stakes, while others prefer their racers without rails. Rather than debate however, fans turned to arguing. Eventually, it turned the hoods of the Cup's higher-ups and sponsors. Suddenly, everyone was clamouring to make a change for the sake of being recognised. Well, with the exception of one that chose to use their resources productively instead.
Fresh off of acquiring RustEze and hiring young upstart Cruz Ramirez, Dinoco created a program on the down low, aiming to deliver a group of racers that took it back to the old school; no screens, no technological advantages; just training, and grinding on the track. For years, Dinoco kept the program - named the 'Old Guard' - under wraps. These racers were trained to be focused, confident, and above all else, clever. Technology couldn't carry them, so they needed to put in the work. It wasn't going to be easy for these racers, but being a trendsetter never is.
Years later, as Ramirez entered the twilight years of her career, Dinoco needed a new racer to run. Thus, it was the perfect chance to make a big change. After a decade of rigorous dedication and training, the first Old Guard racer was entered into the Cup to fly the flag. It was a big risk. The racer was to compete with a huge disadvantage; but that isn't stopping him or Dinoco in the slightest.
Thus, the moment of truth.
When the racer came to make his debut, he made a big impression. Despite the odds he won his first race, a full 3 seconds ahead of the racer behind. Naturally, hoods spun in Dinoco's direction fast, instantly praising the Old Guard program and wanting more. In the following races, the racer continued to make headlines around the country for his stunning performances in the season so far. So much so, that fans began to call him...
The Rookie Sensation.
Doc Hudson, Lightning McQueen, Jackson Storm, him. At least, that'll be solidified when he wins the season. That's how it worked for those before, so he's gotta take it...
"One race at a time!"
Suddenly, the voice of an overly aggressive crew chief barked over the racer's radio. "Eyes on the track! 12 o' clock!"
Thrust into the present moment, the racer looked up. Just in time, as a tyre flew meters past his roof.
"Whoa!" he yelled.
An opponent proceeded to spin out past him, a scream of terror audible as he did. The racer laughed inappropriately, shaking his hood in disbelief.
"Focus! We don't have many laps to go, and you're down a few spots." his crew chief barked.
"Don't sweat it, chief. Who crosses the line first, 9 times out of 10?" the racer responded.
"That's only because you put effort in at the last second." the chief grumbled.
"It's a show! The important question is: does my track record support my argument?" the racer posed.
The long pause from the crew chief that followed told him his answer.
"That's beside the point." the crew chief barked.
Suddenly, the racer ahead of Dash blew a tire, spinning off into the infield. A trail of rubber followed, spraying Dash's face. He coughed and gagged, giving the racers around ample chance to pass. Dash gradually came back to, finding that a couple had managed to pass.
"What were you saying about winning?" his crew chief chimed in cheekily.
"Come on. He blew a tyre right in front of me!" Dash complained.
"So? That's when you dodge it!" his crew chief retorted.
Dash let out a frustrated groan, gradually regaining his composure. Refocused, he pushed to climb back up to his prior position. He went to pass the racer ahead on the inside, before getting blocked off by another racer thinking the same. He exhaled loudly, choosing instead to pass on the outside. Another racer annoyingly thought the same, sandwiching in Dash's way.
"Nice of you to let them place higher." his crew chief commented.
"Oh, quit tailgating and let me do my thing." Dash barked.
In an act of karma, the racer to Dash's right got cut off, causing him to spin out. Dash slanted to his left to dodge him, jumping at the chance and overtaking.
"Boltarius back up to 4th." the commentator notified.
"Fabulous." Dash said to himself.
A keen crowd excitedly roared as Dash whizzed past the line. Cameras stared his way as he did, blowing up his visage on every jumbotron on the track. Roughly a couple hundred feet above the massive crowd sat the commentators in a private booth, leaning in toward the action.
"Welcome back to the season, folks! We're just shy of a dozen races into the season so far and things are looking as intense as ever. I'm Bill Cutlass, and with me as always is Damian Cartrip. Say, Damian, why are the racers so cutthroat this season?" Bill queried.
"Well, Bill, technology just gets better, and the racers are going through the ringer because of it! But that's not all! Sponsors and Cup officials alike have been incentivising them to obtain what's called 'the clean sweep'; where one has to have a winning percentage of 0.2 or over at the end of the season. Racers have tried and failed in the past to achieve this, with only the likes of Lightning McQueen ever getting close with 0.194." Damian said.
"That could soon change however, as Dinoco's tearing up the season with their brand-new racer Andrew Boltarius, who you may know as Dash. Showing great promise as far back as his single-digit days, Boltarius is the Old Guard's dream come true. He doesn't struggle against racers using assistance technologies, and with easily the highest winning percentage of the season's current competitors, Dash is a strong contender for the sweep." Bill reckoned.
"He ain't the only newcomer tearing up at the moment. Sponsor HtB recently came roaring back into the scene after a 20 year silence with their first Cup racer since Chick Hicks, and wow is he good! Any race Dash ain't winning, Leroy Ascarison is. Fans have since nicknamed him Rush as he's one take the lead early. But, can he fend off Boltarius to the finish line?" Damian posed.
As he completed his lap around, Dash stared intensely at Rush leading the pack.
"Not much to go, Boltarius. Don't screw this up!" his crew chief said.
Dash nodded in response, focusing his attention on his breath. All around began to fade out as he became one with the wind.
...until a flat tire ruined that.
FLUBBLRBLRBLRBLR!
Dash let out a frustrated yell. "Aghh- flat tyre!"
"Get to the pits!" his crew chief roared.
He managed to maintain position as he hobbled his way to the pits. But, that wasn't his biggest issue at the moment. That would be the racer that decided to pit ahead of him.
"Oh, great." Dash realised.
Dash and the racer ahead parked at their pit bays. Dash couldn't miss the unmistakable moustaches of HtB. Noticing Dash had pitted behind him, Rush let out a chuckle in surprise.
"Hey, coolant tribute! How's the back of the pack?" he barked.
"What?" Dash asked.
"How's the-" Rush repeated.
"I heard you. I'm right where I need to be." Dash assured.
"Agh! If you're behind Rush Ascarison, you're at the back of the pack." Rush remarked.
"Did you refer to yourself in the third person?" Dash cheekily retorted.
Rush's crew managed to finish his changes before Dash's, causing him to obnoxiously reverse to Dash's side.
"Rush doesn't sit and listen. He's too busy winning." he quipped.
He let out a taunting two revs, pumping his eyes with a smile.
"Later, park-in-shade!" he taunted.
He raced off out of the pits, with 2nd place not far behind. Though Dash remained unamused, the move sent his crew into a frenzy.
"Dang it- Ascarison's out before us again!" his chief yelled.
"We're going as fast as we can, boss!" a crew member responded.
Dash let out a chuckle, exasperatingly rolling his eyes.
"Let him have his fun. We're in no hurry." he assured.
Shortly after, Dash's crew finish his changes, lowering him back onto the track.
"Ready to go!" a crew member announced.
Dash let out a confident rev, screeching out of his pit without hesitation.
"Hey! 30 mph speed limit!" his chief barked.
"Sorry." Dash apologized.
He begrudgingly slowed to 30, looking in his rear view to monitor the pack of racer's position. To his dismay, the next round of racers were fast approaching. Impatiently, Dash gradually crept above 30 through the pits.
"Watch that speed." his chief warned.
Dash let out a childish groan, shaking his hood and returning to 30. Still, he kept keen eyes on the pack rushing in. Once again, he tried nudging over.
"Seriously." his chief exclaimed.
Dash frantically looked front and back as the pack came dangerously close, his impatience innately pushing his speed. He began to panic as the end of the pit didn't come soon enough.
"Oh- screw this." he barked.
Without a second of doubt, he triple-timed it before the end. He barely managed to escape the pit and get in front of the horde, flooring it to Rush and 2nd.
"Ugh- I'll let you get away with it this time. Go get 'em." his chief yelled.
Dash let out a rapturous grin, initiating blast off. Well ahead, Rush and 2nd overheard Dash's engine, looking back in disgust.
"Ugh- he's pulling a Boltarius again." 2nd groaned.
"What- not being first? Hah! That's a good one." Rush cackled.
As Rush and 2nd rolled along, Dash zeroed in on the former's likeness, pushing without mercy.
"Boltarius is keeping steady in 3rd, but he's only got a couple of laps to go!" one of the commentators said.
Rush looked in his rear view to see Dash closing in with speed. The feeling of threat soon caused Rush to let out a grimace, extending his lead.
2nd however wasn't so lucky to catch on as quick. When he looked back to see Dash closing fast, a feeling of worry began. Dash stared with a smirk as he fast approached 2nd, attempting a pass.
Uneasy, 2nd quickly tried to block Dash. Unfortunately, the move was successful, causing Dash to brake and skid back slightly. He grumbled, quickly trying 2nd's other side. Once again, 2nd wasn't so easy to pass. Dash shook his hood, reeling out a gap as he tried to formulate an idea. Thankfully, one quickly came to him, causing him to shut his eyes and take a breath.
Fweet!
2nd overheard a whistle to his left, prompting him to look in his rear-view. He expected Dash, but instead found another racer staring in confusion. However, the racer quickly looked to 2nd's right. The move gave it away, causing 2nd to quickly look to the right. As he did, he saw Dash had managed to pass.
"Oh! The Boltarius Hook! That never gets old!" commentator
"I never got why they credit you for using a simple outside pass." Dash's chief remarked.
"I couldn't care less right now! Place?" Dash barked.
"Right- right! Good job on 2nd. We're coming up on Ascarison now. Go get 'em, Viper!" his chief cheered.
Dash let out a victorious laugh, smirking at 2nd's fleeting likeness. Shortly after, he passed the line, noticing an unmistakable white and black flag.
"Boltarius and Ascarison on the final lap. Who'll it be?" a commentator said.
As it hit home that Dash had less than a lap to go, he pushed to claim 1st. Meanwhile, Rush confidently looked in his rear-view, only to watch as Dash furiously tore up the track in pursuit. Threat quickly re-entered Rush's hood, prompting him to push in retaliation.
As the two entered the corner, Dash quickly caught up, trailing behind Rush in tease. Slightly off-guard, Rush looked back in his rear-view with a look.
It was on.
Dash made his first attempt to pass. Rush let out a chuckle, cutting him off sharply. The move threw a spanner in the works, causing Dash to slip up and sneak behind.
"Oh! Rush slammed the door on him!" a commentator barked.
Dash sounded angrily, readjusting. Rush let out a snigger as they passed the halfway point of the lap. Approaching another corner, Rush went in tight, prompting a missile-like Dash to follow. He tailed closely, causing Rush to look in his rear-view. Rush rolled his eyes and laughed, quickly brake checking him. The bright red flash in Dash's eyes caused him to do the same. The move sent Rush into a momentary fit of laughter. Just for laughs, Rush tried to do it again. As he did, Dash aggressively swerved to his right. Slightly threatened, Rush swung and barely managed to block Dash's advance. Rush overheard Dash growl in frustration, chuckling and resuming his normal line.
The corner's exit quickly approached, causing Dash's eyes to shoot wide open. He shook his hood, keeping close to Rush's rear bumper as he scrambled for a way to pass. Panicked, Dash quickly decided on the first thing he could think of. He moved to Rush's right to pass on his outside again. Unfortunately Rush was privy to the move, watching as Dash did so with a deceptive smile. He slowly moved to block Dash, assuring him the victory. However, in a last minute twist, Dash sharply swerved on Rush's inside, managing to pass while he wasn't looking.
"Oh- the old switcheroo! Ascarison must be fuming!" the commentator shouted excitedly.
"Good work, Boltarius!" Dash's chief concurred.
"Nothing like the ol' bait n' switch! Haha!" Dash exclaimed.
Aggravated, Rush raced after Dash as the two entered the final straight. He slowly crept up on Dash's right, prompting him to look over.
"He's gaining. It's now or never!" Dash's chief notified.
Dash's cocky win-stealing look soon muted as he focused on taking it home. As he pushed ahead, Rush tried his damnest to edge in front. Now neck and neck, the two push for dear life. Rush sharply looked over at Dash with a scowl. Initially, Dash did the same, but eventually injected some levity into the situation. He let out a laugh and smirk, winking at Rush. The angered racer tried to shut Dash out. Onlookers all around watched intensely as the two inched closer and closer to the finish.
Just like that, the flag dropped.
"We have a tie!" the commentators exclaimed.
Suddenly, the entire track filled with the crowd's loud cheer. Both Rush and Dash slowed to cruising pace as the pace car entered ahead. Dash let out an exhale of disappointment, rolling his eyes.
"Of course, we tied." he said flatly.
To his right, Rush quickly burst into laughter. Dash gradually looked at him with an annoyed look.
"Oh! What a thrill. You got lucky this time, DB." Rush exclaimed.
He tapped Dash with a tire, causing him to cringe.
"Maybe next time it won't be 50% of a win." he taunted.
He continued cackling, driving off toward the pits. Dash watched intensely as he went off, letting out a snarl.
"You can count on it." he swore.