Author's Note: Hello guys! I appreciate the support for this story! So far, this is my most loved story on here! There is going to be a time jump to the end of racing season. I was originally planning to want until I see Cars 3 to update, as most of my supporters have seen iy, but plans to haven't been panning out real well and my heart keeps telling me to get out the next chapter. After all, this is my most loved story I have written so far! My readers deserve more! I'm not sure what process cars (and planes) have go through in this world to retire from racing, so I just thought a serious talk with former racer Darrell Catrip would do the trick.

For anyone who has seen Planes and/or interested in more of my works, I recently started a new story called Repairing His Broken Heart. It is Ripslinger-centric. However, I will be writing a lot of Rochelle/El Chupacabra and Ishani/Dusty fluff as well.

This chapter is shorter than the other chapters, but I hope you enjoy it anyway. The best is yet to come in this story! :3

Chapter Nine: Retirement

The racing season of 2017 has gone by super fast. It was a very eventful season. Inside and outside of racing. Not much went on since Chick talked to The King and Shawna.

Chick made it though his last season of racing without a hitch and he even spent a lot of time hanging out with Shawna, The King, and even Lightning McQueen, who was the winner of the 2017 Piston Cup.

The strange part was this didn't really affect Chick in the way most cars would expect him to. He was very nonshalant about this. Hell, he was even happy for Lightning McQueen!

"Hey, McQueen! Congrats on winning the 'Cup.", Chick congratulated Lightning.

"Thanks, man.", Lightning anwered briefly. "You seem to be taken this a lot lighter than i was expecting you to."

"Well, you know, I've been doing a lot of thinking and...I think it's best if I retire from racing..."

Lightning's mouth hung wide open. He couldn't believe Chick would actually consider this. "Are you serious?!", he responded in surprise.

"Yeah, man. To make a long story short, there has been some changes in my life that are making my wanna switch careers. However, I don't plan to leave the racing world entirely."

"What are you retiring from being a racer for, then?", Lightning wondered.

"This is going to sound sort of drastic, but I want to open up a shop for racers in L.A., California. That has been my real dream since I was little, but with certain changes going on in my life, I can finally do the thing I was meant to."

"Why did you decide to become a racer, when your real dream was to open up a shop for racers?", Lightning asked.

Chick takes a deep breath. "I lost my parents when I was young, so I had no one to help me get started until now. Shawna and Strip have been helpin' out a lot"

"Wow, Chick. I'm really sorry to hear that.", Lightning said sympathically, his mouth turning from a smile into a frown.

"It's okay. It's not your fault, but I appreciate your sympathy, McQueen.", Chick responded sincerely.

"You know, Chick. You could go talk to Darrell about retirement. He has a friend who is an amazing architect. He could help you get started. I'm sure Darrell would give you his number.

The brightest smile came on Chick's face, probably brighter than Lightning had ever seen. "Thank you, McQueen!", he responded, a mixture of excitement and sincerity in his tone. "I'm gonna go see Darrell right now!"

"Good luck, Chick! Let me know how your how your talk with Darrell goes!", Lightning shouts.

. . .

Darrell was sitting in his booth alone. Bob had to go run an arrend. This was the a good time for Chick to talk to Darrell and get this retirement thing off his hood. He knew he'd feel a lot better afterwards.

"Oh, hey, Chick", Darrell greeted. "Look, I know you are probably disappointed about losing the Piston Cup, but you seem to be taking it lightly. And I am so proud of you for sticking to your heartfelt apology you made a few weeks ago."

"Um, about that...?", Chick began nervously. "Look, I came here because I have a very important matter I need to discuss..."

"Well, what is it, Chick?", Darrell wondered.

"You know, I've been doing a lot of thinking over the past few weeks..". Then Chick paused.

"About...what?", Darrell wondered.

"I've been thinking about...retirement...", Chick answered timidly.

This caught Darrell by surprise. He had no idea Chick would consider something so drastic and seemingly out of character for him.

"Wow! Are you sure, Chick?! This is a big decision!"

"I mean, I would be lying, if I said I wasn't scared of having regrets..."

"Well, you need to do what's best for your well-being and happiness.", Darrell reminded Chick. "I enjoyed my days as a Piston Cup racer, but I do enjoy my current job more."

"You know, to make a long story short, they're have been some changes in my life making me want to change careers."

"What are you quitting racing. I respect your decision, though it's a same we are losing someone just now learning the value of sportsmenship, but I'm curious."

"I want to open up a shop in Los Angeles for racers!", Chick answered with confidence.

"That actually seems like the perfect job for you, Chick!"

"Thank you, Darrell. I really appreciate the support, man!"

"I have a friend who is amazing architect! I think he could help you get started, Chick. Here's his business number.

Chick grabs the card with the important phone number with his front right tire. "Thank you, man! This really means a lot to me!", Chick said with a bright smile.

"Your welcome Chick, I'll go tell the main man you won't be racing anymore. I hope to see you suceed. It's sad to see you move on, but it's great to see you move on to bigger and better things!"

"Thank you, Mr. Cartrip. And once I get my shop opened up, you are more than welcome to stop by!", Chick assured Darrell.

"Good luck, Chick", Darrell shouted as Chick left the booth.

Darrell had mixed emotions about Chick's retirement. He was said that the green car used to be a cheater in the eyes of the entire racing world improved so much in one season was retiring, but he was happy that Chick was moving on to bigger and better things. After all this is going to help all of the racers in the many seasons to come. He is no longer going to be against them. His new purpose is to help them feel fast, sleek, and futuristic!

. . .

Lightning, Strip, and Shawna were casually having a conversation while waiting for Chick to come back.

"Hey, Lightning. Congrats on winning the cup, man. I'm pround of you.", Strip said to Lightning, smiling.

"Thank you Mr. The King! Cal and Chick came pretty close to beating me!, though", Lightning responded.

"How is Chicking taking it?", Strip asked. "He let Shawna and I know that he was considering retirement, but I'm sure he is sill disappointing by such a close loss."

"He told me that was going to comfirm his discision by talking to Darrell Catrirp. And He seems to be taking coming in at 2nd pretty well. He's not thrilled, obviously, but he also doesn't seem to be bitter, as he would usually be.", Lightning answered.

"Wow. So this is it for him in terms of racing, huh? He also told her and I that he wanted to open up a racing business, which I support wholeheartedly, but it could take a while to find someone to get him started.

"Darrell has a friend who specializes in architecture and opening up businesses. He's gonna try to get his number."

"Wow! I did not know that!", Strip reponded, surprised to heat this from Lightning. "I don't think he'll have a problem with getting started then!

"Hey, guys!", Chick called out to the three cars.

"Oh, hey, Chick!", Shawna greeted back. "Lightning and Strip were just talking about you! What that in in your tire?"

"Darrell gave me the his friend's business number. I didn't even have to ask for it. He read my mind!"

"Oh, that's cool", Shawna responded. "Are you going to call it?"

"Of course! It's a little late today, but I'll call the number first thing tomorrow!"

"Do you feel better after talking to Darrell, Chick?", Strip asked.

"I really do. I feel like a huge weight was lefted off my hood.", Chick answered. "Still. It feels strange. I had no idea one simple talk could alter my future forever!"

"I know it's strange.", Shawna began. "It always feel strange, making big decisions like this. But this is a dream you've been waiting to act on since you were little! You deserve to be able to pursue it! I promise you will NOT regret this!"

"Thanks, Shawna.", Chick responded. "That make me feel a bit better about this whole thing."

"And Chick, I still have many seasons of racing ahead of me. You can bet your bottom dollar I will be out to check out your shop!", Lightning assured Chick.

"So, Chick, have you though of a clever name for your shop?", Strip wondered. "I'm sure he is going to want to know before your first appointment with him."

"Hmm. I'm thinking Chick Hicks: This Shop is Sick. And no, not sick as in ill. I mean "sick" as in excellent."

"Hmm. Very catchy.", Shawna thought.

"Of course. The name must be catchy and attention-grabbing.", Chick said followed by a wink.

"Of course", Shawna responded nervously.

"You need to put that card some safe, so you won't lose it. That simple piece of plastic could be the key to your dream career!", Strip warned Chick.

"I'll go do that right now.", Chick responded. "I'll see you guys later.

. . .

As Chick was looking at the card with the important number, so many thoughts crossed his mind.

"Is this going to work out for me?"

"Will this guy be able to design the shop of my dreams?"

"Are cars and planes going to want to come?"

And most importantly...

"Will I be able to handle running this business."

Chick takes a deep breath.

"The sooner I call the better"

"I never thought this would be happening..."

" Finally. This will launch my true dream career!"