Lightning sighed and played with his car key in his hand. It was early afternoon and he sat at a table at the V8 Cafe. Lightning glared around. The sun shone down mercilessly and almost gave him a sunstroke. All the other townies didn't seem to notice. They were all busy with their own things. Lizzy, the old lady, slept on her veranda and the two Italians Guido and Luigi redecorated their tire shop. As usual. Lightning closed his eyes. Stupid heat. Stupid city. He would never get out kf here!

"Hey hun!"

A voice made him jump. Lightning blinked against the sun and saw Flo standing next to his table. She held a tray in her hand and gave him a wide smile. "What are you doin' here so all alone? Do you wanna have a sip of my brand new 'Creamy Cadillac'?", she offered. Lightning groaned. "Sorry. I have no money for that."

Flo blinked at him. "Don't worry. It's on the house." With that she swirled away. Lightning rolled his eyes at the pushy residents. He didn't want this stupid drink. Even though is was really hot out here.

A sudden shadow fell onto the table and someone sat down in front of him. It was the doctor Hudson. Lightning take a deep breath. Why was everyone bothering him when he only wanted his peace!? He glared at the old man.

"Thought you wanted to finish the road.", Doc said. Lightning leaned over. "I would, old man! But I ran out of asphalt and my gas is empty! So no road", he hissed. Doc just grumbled.

Lightning ran a hand through his blonde hair. "I will never get to California!"

Doc mustered him. "This race must be really important for you."

The rookie stared at him. "Yeah, obvious! This is the race of my career! The race of the century! And I have to win!"

He balled hsi fists as he imagined Chick Hicks being already there and training hard.

Doc interrupted his thoughts. "I informed myself a bit.", he said. "There was a photo finish."

McQueen gnashed his teeth. "Yeah.", he admitted. "But I should've won!"

Doc leaned back in his chair. The sun sparkled in his grey hair. "What do you think about telling me the whole story? And maybe if you come off as more sympathetic and not that arroant, you will get a second gas tank for today."

Lightning frowned. That made no sense, why did he wanted to hear his story? But whatever...

"Okay then.", he answered sceptical. "So there was the photo finish. Chick, the King and me crossed it at the same time. Even though I would've won. I was so close! But then this darn tire bursted!" He rolled his eyes. "I shouldn't have happen! I was one lap faster than them!"

Doc raised an eyebrow. "One lap!? How did you manged that? And why did the tire bursted? Did a mechanic messed around?", he wanted to know.

Lightning shook his head. Oh no no. I didn't pit. Just got new gas one time nothing more."

Doc looked surprised. "You drove the whole race with the same tires?", he asked unbelievable.

Lightning shrugged. "Yeah went pretty well until the end..."

Doc mustered him afew seconds and Lightning started to wonder if the old man actually listen to him.

"Do you always drive that risky?", he finally asked.

Lightning frowned in reluctance and crossed his arms. "Are you an expert in racing now or what? Maybe a fan?"

Docs face didn't move and he said with a resigned voice. "I haven't watch races for 40 years."

Lightning swallowed. "Well you should. Missed a lot." He opened his arm and leaned onto the table.

"And about my sceond gas tank - If I get it I will donate you a new TV, better than this junk over there." He pointed to the old TV on Lizzy's veranda.

"And you can witness my win life. What do you say?"

Doc imitated him and leaned forward. "Listen boy, I don't care for your win. No one here does. And if you want to be in California on time, you should hurry"

Without another word he stood up and went.

Lightning was left behind and started at him with open mouth. "Hey!", he yelled indignant. "What about my gas!?"

But the old man didn't answer just disappeared in his surgery room.

Suddenly a bright yellow drink appeared on his table and Flo smiled at him.

Lightning groaned and shook his head. Was everyone crazy at here!? Why did the old man wanted to know all this? He had no clue of racing!

Angrily he grabbed the drink. What a crazy grandpa doctor!