Tex Dinoco watched the now-adult Hudson McQueen run his racing license exam. Hudson, alongside other rookie hopefuls, powered around the speedway in a simulation race. Some were hoping to get noticed and receive sponsorship.

The impartial official observing Hudson made notes. "He's doing well. His shape has marked him down, but he's making it up with performance."

In the year between Junior's passing and now, Hudson's bodywork had entirely formed. Most notably, hood-turning rounded fender mudguards. And like he said to Ramone, they were painted light grey against his white body, black hood, and roof.

Tex glanced at the official. "What about marking him down because he's a steamer? Being so nonstandard must mean something."

"I considered that; he began at negative two hundred and fifty."

Tex nodded.

Hudson, meanwhile, overtook another Next-Gen rookie, making the official tally with another few points.

After the race, Hud went to the tent to get the results.

The Radiator Springs team, alongside the Thomasville Legends, waited at the Rust-Eze pit.

Behind them, the Dinoco team watched. Cruz would be racing with Cal as her crew chief should Hudson pass, as Lightning insisted on being his son's chief. Tex stood with Strip to overhear the results.

Hudson slowly rolled up. His eyes darted up to Lightning's, and he smiled. "I passed!"

Everyone cheered, with Mater honking his horn and shouting, "Git-r-done son!"

Lightning turned around and looked at Tex. "What do you think, Tex? Hudson McQueen, the newest Rust-Eze racer."

Tex frowned. "Sorry, Lightning, I ain't doing it."

Lightning's face fell. "Why not?"

Doctor Lane answered, "He doesn't like steam cars."

"It's not that," Tex quickly replied.

"Oh really?" Lucky said.

"No, it ain't. What would people think when they see a steam car racing for Dinoco?"

"He'd be racing for Rust-Eze," Lightning replied.

"Which is a Dinoco subsidiary. You wore the Rust-Eze name when you worked as Cruz's crew chief; people now associate Rust-Eze with Dinoco. Look, Lightning, I've done you some great favours that helped me as much as you. But I got to draw the line somewhere, especially regarding my company image."

"Image? Tex," Lightning said. "That's a stretch; you're sounding like Sterling."

"No, Dad," Hudson said. "Tex has a point. People don't know I use petrol in my burners. They'll just assume I automatically make steam."

"There," Tex said, pointing a wheel. "Even the streamer agrees with me."

"I have a name," Hudson said. "It's Hudson McQueen, and I am going to race."

"Well," Tex said. "Good luck finding yourself another sponsor because I ain't," and he drove off.

Strip Weathers frowned and rolled up. "I hate to say it," the King said. "But I doubt any other sponsors will want a steam car representing them."

Lou interrupted. "We'll find a way. Just like how I got into my first race."

River nodded. "This whole sport started on some little shenanigans. We were moonshine runners, remember?"

Smokey asked, "Is it too late to register new sponsors?"

Strip shook his hood. "You still have time, but who will you convince?"

Fillmore answered, "Junior gave me Midnight Moonshiners," Lizzie added, "Radiator Springs Township will sponsor our Hud."

Doctor Lane nodded. "And I know a certain company that owes me a few favours over the last hundred years."

Strip nodded. "Keep me and the official posted. The first race of the season is February the sixteenth."

=x=

"Welcome, world," Bob Cutlass began. "We're beachside at the Florida International Speedway for the start of a new Piston Cup season. The Florida Five Hundred."

Darrell commented, "Forty-three racers watched by a quarter of a million fans are part of this intense display of strategy, talent, and speed. I'm Darrell Cartrip, along with my good friend Bob Cutlass, and with us is RSN's stats expert, Natalie Certain."

"Thank you, Darrell," Natalie said. "For the second year in a row, the all-time champion Lightning McQueen will not be racing. Therefore, this season is predicted to be a two-way match between Jackson Storm and Cruz Ramirez."

"What's the projection for today's race?" Bob asked.

"The weather conditions are a little adverse for Storm," Natalie replied as the details on Jackson showed he won two Piston Cups. "He has an eighty-two per cent chance of victory, with Ramirez closely behind at seventy-nine."

"We've also got ten rookies starting today," Darrell said. "And for the first time in over ten years, the HTB has a racer." The image of a green-coloured Next-Gen car with the number eighteen on its door appeared beside the Piston Cup veteran. "Revan Busch, if he's anything like Chick Hicks, then he's one to watch out for."

Bob announced as the racers assembled on the track for the formation lap. "We're only minutes away," he paused. "Wait a minute, I'm getting news that we have a last-minute addition. A forty-fourth racer."

In the VIP viewing gallery, Tex Dinoco raised an eyelid. "Another racer?" he glanced to Lynda Weathers. "Did Strip tell you anything about this?"

Lynda shook her hood. "No, Tex."

The cameras showed many paparazzi and film crews outside the furthest and smallest pip garage.

Inside, one racer focused. 'Steam, you are steam. Fire, water, power, torque, speed. Do this for Dad, Doc, Junior, Radiator Springs, and alternative powered cars everywhere.'

A red light started flashing before it turned green. Hudson opened his eyes. "Right away."

The garage car door opened.

Over the announcement system, Bob spoke to the crowd and the wider world watching. "Introducing racer number two eight five. Sponsored by Radiator Springs Township, Midnight Moonshiners, and Star Tug and Marine. Hudson McQueen!"

Tex gapped. "The steamer got in?"

The crowd cheered, and the camera flashed.

Hudson was a low-bodied, aerodynamic beast with a confident smirk like Lightning in his rookie days on his grill.

His racing colours were unlike anything he had worn before. Gone were the white, black, and grey. Instead, Hudson's bodywork, including the fender and hood, was a vibrant yellow. His eighteen-inch wheel rims and hubs were an intense red. And on his roof was a blue and white chequerboard pattern.

Darrell continued the announcement, "You heard Bob right, folks; we're seeing a new racing dynasty in the making. Young Hudson is the adopted son of the all-time champ, Lightning McQueen."

The vision mixer swapped shoots to the chief stand, where Lightning rolled into position. He wore his Radiator Springs retro paintwork instead of his Doc Hudson Tribute livery.

"And it looks like old man McQueen is mentoring his boy."

Sally rolled up and kissed Hudson on the fender. "Good luck, Hudson."

"Thanks, Mom," Hudson said before he posed for the camera and gave a sharp blast on his whistle.

Lightning smirked. "At least you're not blinding people like I used to. Remember, Hud, you don't have to win this. Just do your best."

"Got it, Dad. The top half is the target, but I'll see if I narrow into the lead."

"Then you'll have Storm to contend with. Whatever happens, just keep your head in the game and don't overthink things."

The camera followed Hudson to the back of the racing pack, where he would start from.

Bob asked, "Natalie, did I hear a hooting noise from Hudson with a white cloud? Is that what I think it is?"

Natalie checked her computer. "I'm just getting the data from the boy's doctor, Doctor Lucky Lane, now. That was a Crosby tri-note steam whistle," she blinked in surprise. "Then that means Hudson McQueen is a steam car!"

Darrell laughed and watched the racers run the formation lap. "Well, I'll be! I didn't know steam cars were allowed in the Piston Cup."

Natalie replied with a question during a search on her computer. "Surely, this violates the regulations. A steam car should not be able to race in the Piston Cup. His Fender design alone is against the guidelines."

Bob answered, "Head official, Strip King Weathers, says it was a unanimous decision to approve Young McQueen. And this is his first race."

Tex made an abrupt turnaround and stormed out. "I'm finding Strip; he's got a lot to answer for," Lynda quickly followed him, but when Tex took a left turn, she went right and sped down the corridor.

Ray Reverham, Jackson's crew chief, spoke down his microphone, "You're seeing this, right?"

Storm nodded. "McQueen seems to be upping his unbelievable calls," he glanced to the back of the line. "Still, I'm not going to dismiss him like I did Costume Girl," he then looked at Cruz a few lengths behind. "She's probably going to give the water heater some help."

Meanwhile, Hudson glanced at the Next-Gen car beside him. Revan Busch. The new HTB car looked Hudson up and down. "You look like a New York taxi. Did you get lost?"

"I've got reasons as to why I'm wearing this livery. You're one to talk about paint jobs; it's very subdued, especially your colours. Chick Hicks had a more vibrant green under all his sponsorship stickers. And your shade is not a rich one like British Racing Green."

"Bright colours are for the dinosaurs, taxicab. This look is what's in."

Hudson rolled his eyes. "Nigel Gearsley said once there was a time in Britain when beige was the trendy colour. My paint stylist, Ramone, shivers whenever he thinks of that. I say stick to a look that works for you."

"Yeah," Revan replied. "Just keep out of my way."

"That's not going to be easy," Hudson replied.

Before Revan could answer, the green flag came out. At the front, Jackson shot off with the other racers following his lead.

"Boogity, Boogity, Boogity!" Darrell yelled his catchphrase. "Let's go racing."

"Okay, Hud," Lightning called. "Don't crank yourself wide until I tell you. For now, just sneak through the windows."

Bob Cutlass commented, "That's an interesting colour scheme Hudson has, and where does his two eighty-five number come from?"

Darrell replied, "Does it matter, Bob? I'm enjoying his colours, it reminds me of the old days of racing. I mean, look at him go."

Hudson sped into a gap next to the wall. He shuffled into the middle line, staying close behind the Next-Gen racer's downdraft.

"It's like the ghost of the pioneer racers is hunting the new boys down!" the camera cut to the cheering crowd. "And the fans are enjoying it," the image included the familiar pair of Mia and Tia, now painted in Hudson's regular white, black and grey colours.

Natalie spoke next, "To answer your question, Bob, the colours are a homage to Hudson McQueen's third sponsor, Star Tug and Marine, with some slight differences. Currently headquartered on the TT Island of Great Britain. According to their history, they used to work in Bigg City Port, where Lightning and Mrs McQueen found the infant Hudson on their honeymoon three years ago. Indeed, three members of the Star Fleet helped advise the newlywed McQueen couple on how to raise him. Misters Ten Cents, OJ and Sunshine were steam tugboats."

A roar from the crowd greeted the news.

Bob nodded. "Thanks, Nat; sponsors, take note."

"As for his number," Natalie went on. "It's the total of all the numbers from the racers Hudson McQueen has trained with. Lightning McQueen's ninety-five, Cruz Ramirez's fifty-one, Junior Midnight Moon's eleven, Louise Nash's ninety-four, and River Scott's thirty-four. Hudson McQueen's number, it says here, is symbolic of how he's the sum of their experience and expertise, which they've freely given to him."

Darrell drawled. "Aww, now that's sweet. Certainly, a better reason than it's an easy number to remember, like Todd Marcus; that was his number for everything."

Over the next sixty laps, Hudson crept into the top twenty.

"You're doing great, Hud," Lightning said.

"McQueen!" a shout came from behind him. Lightning glanced sideways and saw an angry Tex Dinoco glaring up at him. "What do you mean by smuggling that steamer into this race? What did you pull on Strip to get him to pass that outdated cloud-huffing crockpot?"

Doctor Lucky huffed. "And there it is."

Lightning did not look at Tex as he replied, "We didn't do anything other than exploit a couple loopholes in the rules."

Smokey took up the conversation. "Most of the rules only apply to internal combustion cars. And nothing in the rules so far forbids alternative-powered cars from racing. Mostly because no one thought that kind of clause would be needed,"

Tex snarled. "When I'm through, they will be."

"Tex," Lightning said as he glanced at the oil tycoon. "Get your hood out of your muffler and stop with the old-fashioned thinking."

"Old-fashioned? Me? You're the one harbouring a coalfired train on pneumatic tyres."

Doctor Lane corrected. "Master Hudson is using Dinoco fuel for his burners."

"I ain't giving him my fuel. I still own the stuff; the team pay for what they use after the race ends," he called over to Dinoco Pitter. "Hey, Luke!"

Luke Pettlework, the lead forklift of the Dinoco crew, rolled up. "Yeah, Mr Tex?"

"Take the Dinoco fuel tanks out of the Radiator Springs pit. They've lost that privilege."

"Got it, boss," and the team of forklifts carried the tanks away.

Tex looked at Lightning. "I'd recommend you pull your steamer out before he embarrasses himself."

When the Dinoco owner disappeared, Lucky rolled her eyes. "It's his loss. Master Hudson runs more efficiently with Mr Fillmore's fuel."

Lightning looked to Fillmore. "How's Hudson's fuel levels?"

Fillmore checked the readings. "He's good for about ten more laps."

"Okay, plan b, get the barrels out of Mack's trailer fast."

"On it, man," Fillmore said, and the hippie van, Mater, and Sarge drove off.

Lightning returned to the race. In the corner of his eyes, he noticed the HTB crew chief speaking into his microphone. "What's he up to?"

A bang sounded, and Lightning looked up at the track. The forty-eight number car, Aaron Clocker for the Revolting alternator company, spun out, with Revan Busch chuckling nearby. Aaron hit the wall and spun into twenty-four Chase Racelott, crunching his right front fender and locking his wheel. Numbers ten, Aric Almirolling, and seventy-seven, one of the new rookies, Colin Cogs, piled into them.

"Hud!" Lightning called. "Wreak in turn four!"

Hudson braked and swerved to dodge the pileup, and the other racers either got caught or went loose from oversteering. "The windows are opening and shutting fast," he commented. At one point, he swivelled around and ran backwards.

"Hudson McQueen is in the wreck!" Bob announced.

"This is like history repeating itself!" Darrell commented. "Lightning did the same back in his first Dinoco Four Hundred."

Overhearing this, Lightning blinked. "Huh, I guess I knew how to sneak through windows from the start."

Dale Earnhardt Junior got rammed into the wall, sliding along on his left side, flipping onto his roof, and slammed into another stalled racer. Hudson hadn't seen this as he was running tail first. He swung back forward and only saw this coming barrelling towards him. His eyes darted to the sides. 'No way around. Only one thing to do.'

"Pardon me, Mr Earnhardt!" Hudson called. He put on steam and used Dale as a ramp to fly over the last wreckage. Airborne, he indeed resembled an aircraft. The sunlight glinted off his whistle. Unlike when Lightning did this, Hudson remained serious, keeping his tongue in his mouth and not winking at the excited twins.

On the descent, Hudson shut off steam and braked hard. His wheels landed, he opened his regulator at full blast and crossed the start-finish line.

"I don't believe it!" Darrell shouted. "He made it through, just like Lightning!"

Lightning chuckled. "I guess those stunts on Willie's Butte paid off."

"Is Cruz all right?" Hudson asked.

"Come into the pits and see for yourself."

Hudson braked at the first pit space and looked ahead. Cruz panted heavily but unharmed as the Dinoco crew changed her tyres. "Thank heaven," Hudson muttered.

"Again, Hud," Lightning said. "Just focus on your own driving. Cruz can take care of herself."

Guido started changing Hudson's tyres. Mater came in with a barrel hooked to his towline. "I got the first barrel, buddy!"

"Good," Lightning said. "Get Hudson filled up," Mater nodded and reversed to Hudson's gas tank, undid the cap and plonked a funnel into the spout. "Open wide!" he joked and started pouring.

As the fuel poured in, Hudson looked past Cruz and spotted Revan Busch, who punched the ground.

"I think Busch is following in Hicks's tyre marks."

Lightning smirked. "I beat a seasoned Chick Hicks at the true nature of the Piston Cup when I was just a rookie with only some of Doc's training. You're facing a real green racer with all everyone's tricks."

"All right!" Mater called. "You're full up, Huddy. Git going!" and Hud took down the pitlane.

As the race continued, more slips up occurred.

Storm lost grip and snaked. He straightened up and yelled, "What was that? What made me do that?"

Ray replied. "There's wet patches of water and oil on the track."

"Water and oil? How?" he blinked and scowled. "It's the steamer."

At the back, another racer skidded and bounced off the wall.

"Darrell," Bob called. "The track seems to be getting slippery. Any ideas?"

"I hate to say it, Bob," Darrell replied. "But we're seeing why steam cars shouldn't be in the Piston Cup. Hudson McQueen's mix of steam and oil is condensing on the track. Shame, too, this kid has class."

Doctor Lane checked her notes. "That can't be right. This didn't happen during the simulation race."

Smokey frowned. "Didn't go on for this long."

A familiar horn sounded as Tex Dinoco reappeared with Mr Streamline. "You hear that? I knew the steamer would call trouble."

Streamline raised an eyelid at the oil tycoon. "All this is pure speculation, Tex. We need to ascertain the facts."

Hudson meanwhile focused on working his way past the other racers.

Ray called Storm. "The steamer's just behind the top ten."

Storm grunted and dropped his speed.

Lightning narrowed his eyes. "Hud, Storm's coming to give you a chat. Whatever he says, ignore it. He's trying to get into your head. Just remember, Storm wouldn't be doing this if you weren't a threat to him."

Storm pulled alongside Hudson. "So, you're McQueen's adopted son, right?"

"Yes," Hudson replied. "My genetic parents are most likely both gone. One was dead before I was constructed, and the other, in their goodbye letter, said they would be dead due to the bad company they got in with."

Jackson nodded. "Do you ever think they're looking down on you? They might wonder, why is our boy making a fool of himself."

"I don't know who my genetic parents are, so I don't know what they think of me. And as such, I don't care. Where I come from is not as important as where I'm going. I do know at least one of them was a steam car. So, I'm doing this to be a role model for steam cars everywhere."

"Not doing a good job if you're causing slips and crashes," Jackson nodded to the cars behind him and Hudson. "In this sport, cars take it personally. So, if they figure you're splashing water and oil about the asphalt, they won't take it kindly."

Hudson rolled his eyes. "If these jokers want to slug it out when the race is over, they can be my guest," he shook his hood. "I haven't seen any of these prima donnas do anything gutsy. If we're done chatting, I'd like to continue racing."

Storm grunted with a glare and picked up his speed. Hudson smirked and crept up behind the draft, the lead Next-Gen.

Ray shouted down his microphone. "Jackson, the steamer's drafting you."

"What?" he glanced back. "I didn't hear him."

"Steam is quieter than your explosion-filled engines," Hudson called. "By the way, you need a better cleaner. Your trunk looks terrible."

Jackson slammed his brakes on, and Hudson replied by bumping him. "I've got over one and a half thousand foot-pounds of torque, Storm. Brake tests me again, and I'll ram you off!"

"You're bluffing!" Jackson replied as they passed Cruz. Revan was ahead in fifth.

"Try me!" Hud replied.

The Next-Gen slammed his brakes again. Hud sped up and rammed his boot, and Jackson skidded and crashed into Hudson's side, sending him towards the grass.

"Jackson Storm is loose!" Bob announced. Jackson crashed into Revan, slamming him against the wall, sliding off the track, hitting a few other racers, and flying into the crowd inside the fenced area. Revan landed in the Elvis impersonator's wading pool, and like Dale, the HTB car turned turtle. The Elvis impersonator froze, gawking at him.

"Revan is out of the race," Bob Cutlass announced. Before Darrell added, "And Hudson's in the dirt. Can he save it like Lightning did?"

"Just watch me," Hudson yelled, flicking his tyres entirely right to drift the turn. He overtook the still-wayward Jackson, taking third place.

"And there it was, folks," Bob said. "The famous Hornet Slide."

"Hold up, Bob!" Darrell called. "Take a look at what's under Revan's chassis!" a pan of oil with a little hole and a tank of water with an open tap dribbling its content. "Busch has been spilling oil and water onto the track!"

Bob nodded. "No doubt to blame Hudson and discredit steam cars."

Tex blinked as he saw the screen.

Streamline smirked. "There you are, Tex. Oh, and by the way, regarding fuel, I will sign Midnight Moonshiners as a second option for the racing teams. Since it's a biofuel, the more environmentally conscious teams will want to change."

Tex scowled and rolled away.

Jackson regained his steadiness and upped his speed to catch the leaders. "Ray, any ideas against the blockhead heater?"

The black pickup truck narrowed his eyes at the big screen footage of Hudson. "Those big fenders of his means he won't touch the wall like Ramirez did."

Lightning called, "Hud, you've got Storm coming up behind you. Let him pass; you've done more than enough to prove yourself. Just keep in the top ten."

"Right, Dad. I'll behave if he does."

Storm glared at Hudson. "You think I'll let a runaway kettle lecture me? You've got another thing coming," he swerved towards Hud to try and slam him against the wall.

Hudson looked up at the screen and saw Cruz coming up behind him. The steam car quickly shifted into reverse gear, giving two short blasts with his whistle. Cruz changed lanes, and Hudson backed into the space before Hud flicked his tyres, swung around, drifting in reverse, and continued to go at full speed backwards.

At the same time, Jackson slammed into the wall due to the space Hud opened, and sparks flew. The IGNTR car recovered the racing line. "What happened? No way he could be that fast."

"Um, Jackson," Ray said. "Look to your left," Hudson overtook Jackson backwards, followed by Cruz. They passed over the start-finish line with the white flag waving.

Darrell laughed. "Now Hudson McQueen's going Tow Mater style into the last lap!"

At the mention of his name, Mater hollered. "Yeah-who! Git-r-done!" he glanced at the pit crew beside the Radiator Springs team. "I taught him that."

"How's he going so fast in reverse?" Bob asked.

Natalie replied, "His technical specs say Hudson McQueen has direct drive from his engine cylinders to his drivetrain. No transmission or reduction gears are required. What he did against Storm is called a flying reverse."

Hudson twirled forward and changed his valve gear settings to reflect that. Cruz overtook him with a grin.

"Okay, Hud," Lightning said. "You're in the top five with four turns left. Just dig in and hope it sticks," Hudson opened his regulator back to full throttle.

"And Storm's closing in on the steamer fast," Darrell yelled.

"Crank it all the way," Lightning called. Hudson smirked and, against all expectations, picked up the pace, even opening the gap between him and Jackson. He overtook the other lead Next-Gens and crept up behind Cruz.

Jackson's mouth dropped.

"Natalie," Bob asked. "Where'd this sudden burst of speed from Hudson McQueen come from?"

"Doctor Lane's just highlighted the necessary part for me," Miss Certain replied. "His valve gear is the improved British Caprotti rotary system using camshafts and poppet valves. Once enough speed is gathered, the steam supply to his cylinders is cut to as low as," she paused. "Three per cent, and the speed is maintained through the expansive properties of steam. According to Doctor Lane's data, Hudson has been running outside pitstops at that level this entire time. McQueen just opened his valves to eighty-three per cent steam cut off."

"So," Darrell said. "He's given himself a last-minute power boost."

When the racers crossed the line, Bob announced. "And it's Cruz Ramirez by a nose, Hudson McQueen in a close second, and Jackson is in third by a full length."

Darrell replied, "I haven't seen a rookie do that well in their first-ever race since Lightning McQueen's. Not even Jackson Storm did that!"

Cruz cheered and started doing doughnuts for the crowd. When she finished, she nodded to Hudson. "Why don't you give them a little performance?"

Hudson smirked; he started his doughnuts with the addition of his whistle. He followed this on with more backward driving stunts on the grass.

The paparazzi and TV crews were on the pair as they returned to the pits. They first focused on Cruz, allowing Hud to sneak off to the Radiator Springs pit, and Sally pressed herself against him. "You were amazing, Hud!"

"Thanks, Mom."

Lightning descended from the post and bumped Hudson's door with his tyre. "Man, Hud, you're making me jealous. I wish I could race that good again."

A throat cleared, and Mr Streamline rolled forward. "That was an impressive first race, young man."

"Thank you, sir," he coughed. "However, I feel some bad news is coming."

"Since you were cleared for this race, and thus this season, I'll allow you to continue racing this year. However, come next year, we're not going to allow steamers, or any other nonstandard car, from competing in the main Piston Cup series."

Hud sighed. "I guess that was expected."

Everyone on the Radiator Springs team deflated while Tex Dinoco smirked.

Sally spoke, "Wait, Mr Streamline, you said the main series," everyone looked back up, and Tex glanced at Streamline, his smile dropping.

Streamline grinned. "Well spotted, Mrs McQueen. Starting next year, the Piston Cup shall have a second series focused on nonstandard forms of propulsion, from steam to electric, hybrids, and maybe even turbine cars. Hudson McQueen will have an automatic invitation and pole position in the first race. Though already, I can say there'll be fewer races, and the prize money will be reduced."

"Now, wait a minute," Tex said. "I won't have Dinoco sponsor that."

"I wasn't going to ask you to," Streamline replied. "But depending on how well the new alternative power series does, with the exchange of ideas and a showcase of the potential, you might find people changing their views on Dinoco."

Lightning smiled. "C'mon, Tex, you could be at the front of an energy revolution. Hud could run for Rust-Eze in this new series."

Tex glared at Lightning. "There won't be a steam car at my workplace."

"Then, Mr Tex," Cruz said, rolling past him and parking next to Lightning, Sally, and Hudson. "You can kiss goodbye to me as the Dinoco racer."

Tex blinked. "You what?"

"Out of everything Mr McQueen taught me," Cruz explained. "Loyalty to your friends is better than loyalty to a brand."

Lightning nodded. "You told me when I said I wanted to stay with Rust-Eze that you could respect that."

Tex narrowed his eyes. "I did," he agreed. "But don't expect to cash in any more favours."

"Then don't expect me to work for you anymore either, Tex," he and Cruz announced, "We quit."

Tex scowled and rolled away.

Hudson lightly bumped Lightning. "You sure about this, Dad?"

"I'm certain."

"Same here," Cruz replied. "I'll run for Radiator Springs in the main series next year."

Hudson smirked. "Then I guess I'll have to win a Piston Cup this year."

"Oh?" Cruz chuckled. "Watch it, young man; you might overheat."

"I'll just make your fluffy cloud, trainer," Hudson replied.

=x=

The chequered flag waved the cars passing over the finishing line at the season's final race, the Dinoco Five Hundred.

"And it's Revan Busch winning this year's Dinoco Five Hundred," Bob announced. "Jackson Storm is narrowly beaten back into second. And though he came third here, with four thousand and thirty-four points, the 2021 Piston Cup Champion is Hudson 'Iron Horsepower' McQueen!"

"First and only non-internal combustion car to win the main Piston Cup series!" Darrell added.

Hudson spoke with his cup on the winner's podium, "I didn't win this just for my dad or me. Or, for my namesake, the Fabolous Hudson Hornet. I first became a racer for steam cars and expanded my view to encompass all nonstandard cars. I've now shown what alternate designs can do. So, to any car, which isn't quite the norm," he looked down at the primary camera.

"It's your turn," he winked with a smirk. "See you next year in the Piston Cup Alternatives Series."