Welcome to the Daytona 500, the Superbowl of motor racing.
Walking onto the grid is two-time champion Rowdy Burns.
A contender from Pennsylvania, Aldo Bennedetti.
Gentlemen, start your engines.
Number 43, Richard Petty, spins to the inside of the track.
Richard Petty is out of the Daytona 500.
Speaking of people out of the race, remember Harry Hogge?
His driver, Buddy Bretherton, died here last year in a fiery crash.
- You're enjoying the good life. - Yeah.
I never minded spreading a little fertilizer around now and then.
- How's the truck running? - Good.
I want you to build me a car.
Everybody knows some car dealer who can't afford a race team.
No driver will sign with you.
If they wreck one car, you can't afford to build them another.
No car's going to win without a driver ... not even mine.
If you built the car, I'd get a damn driver.
What kind of driver are you going to find after the season's started?
You can work with him. You can build a driver like you build a car.
That hound is the best coon dog I've ever seen.
- And l didn't teach him a thing. - I've got somebody.
- Take a look at him. - He doesn't sound like somebody.
Then take a look at nobody.
- Tim, l gave up racing. - You didn't give up racing.
You quit to avoid an investigation into Buddy's crash at Daytona.
I talked to NASCAR. lf you come back there won't be an investigation.
- How did you sell them that deal? - I'm a hell of a salesman.
Now that's a race car driver.
When's your driver due?
- Your guy runs those Indy types. - Sprints, mainly.
Two championships, three all-star wins, seven straight feature wins.
He's a real statistician. Does he know anything about drivers?
- Harry, where's your driver from? - Eagle Rock.
- Is that up around Wilkesboro? - No. Glendale, California.
- He's a Yankee? - Californians aren't Yankees.
- They're not really anything. - You said it.
The shocks are right, we're dialed in. Don't change a thing.
- Hey, you're looking pretty good. - You're the one looking good.
It hasn't been easy, Harry, but this bitch is ready to run.
We appreciate you letting us use the car, Rowdy.
l told you. Harry's got a new driver and he needs a car for a few laps.
Harry Hogge asked us personally as a favor.
Who is this driver?.
Tim tells me you've been running open wheels.
Now you just want to up and drive NASCAR?
- This is stock car racing. - I've watched it on television.
- You've seen it on television? - ESPN, the coverage is excellent.
This may not be the best time for you to run this car.
- Is there some problem? - No, sir.
You bend this bitch, and I'll tear your balls off.
Would you mind very much holding on to this?
Didn't you hear what that man said?
- Hold on, we ought to talk. - About how I'm going to run?
About how you've managed to live so long. You ain't racing this car.
What's going on? You said you'd look at him.
- I've looked at him. - l paid $2,500 to use this track.
- Forget it. He needs a brand name. - l know a driver when l see one.
- Harry, is this happening or what? - Do us all a favor, Harry.
Let me drive. l won't make a fool out of you.
That tunnel turn is real tricky. Hot or cold, it's slick.
You'll slam into the wall before you know it. So take it easy.
- I'm dropping the hammer. - No, you're not.
- it's under Rowdy's time. - He should've cracked up the car.
- That was fast. - Yeah?
31 flat. That's good enough to take the pole in the last race here.
- You never drove a stock car?. - No, sprints mainly.
- Buck Bretherton. - Cole Trickle, nice to meet you.
You were one lucky son of a bitch in the tunnel turn.
lf you think it was luck, let's do it again.
You run good.
Go get your own car and we'll see how you do in a crowd.
- What's wrong with open wheels? - l lost my ride.
After all those wins, you were fired?
l lost my ride. I'd have quit regardless. l wasn't going anywhere.
- Where do you want to go? - Indianapolis.
To win in Indy I'd need a great car, but stock cars are all the same.
There's nothing stock about a stock car.
I'm not trying to insult you, but stock cars are built to run equal.
- l won't be beaten by a car. - Only by a driver.
You build me a car, and I'll win Daytona next year.
I'm going to give you an engine low to the ground.
An extra-big oil pan that'll cut the wind underneath you.
That'll give you 30-40 more horsepower.
I'll give you a fuel line that'll hold an extra gallon of gas.
I'll shave half an inch off you and shape you like a bullet.
When l get you primed, painted and weighed ...
... you're going to be ready to go out on that racetrack.
You're going to be perfect.
I'm going to pull this rookie's chain.
- Cole, you're all over the track. - He just slammed into me.
He didn't slam you or bump you. He rubbed you. Rubbing is racing.
There goes the fender.
There goes the quarter panel.
While we're still under a caution, go out and hit the pace car.
Hit the pace car?. What for?.
You hit every other damn thing out there. l want you to be perfect.
You're too high.
How about that? This side we don't have to fix.
l don't want you spoiled, Buck.
This is gonna hurt.
Did you see that guy?.
- I've got to pit. - No, we're busy now.
- We're eating ice cream. - Ice cream!
You can come in and get one, but it wouldn't impress NASCAR.
You have enough trouble riding around the track as it is.
Take it easy.
Come on now, Cole!
We messed up big-time on Sunday. l had sponsors in the stands.
l was hugging and holding hands and praying for a good showing.
And we end up looking like a monkey fucking a football.
Everybody out, please ... except you two.
I've got a question: What is the one thing you need to do to win a race?
- it's pretty obvious ... - Quiet! You must finish the race.
l realize that Harry's been around a long time.
But l need a proper car that doesn't blow engines.
lf he didn't over-rev the engine, it wouldn't blow.
When you shift the gear, -
- and the needle on the tach reads 9,000 rpm, that's bad.
- The tires blow, is that my fault? - Yes, it's your fault.
There's 40 other drivers out there who don't use up their tires.
There's nothing l can't do with a race car.
- There's only so much l can do! - That's obvious.
He doesn't need to appreciate your job to do his.
He has to know what a car can and can't do!
You want me to work the pit and you drive?
l can't talk to this son of a bitch.
l can't talk to that son of a bitch. l really can't.
- You think he can drive? - He can drive.
He can drive beyond the limits of the car!
lf he'd listen to me, we'd never lose a race.
lf we don't get a sponsor soon, my ass is fried.
I'm liable to be out of the car business all together.
Harry, l know you're great. You know you're great.
But if the driver doesn't trust you, we're never going to win a race.
Hey, Harry.
- We've got to talk. - All right, talk.
On the radio during the race ...
You've got to tell us what's going on with the car.
You want to change the way l drive.
Set up the car so l don't have to change.
- Tell me how. - What do you want to know?.
Is she running loose or tight?
A turn here, take some wedge out, we'll win some races.
l can't do that. l don't know what the hell you're talking about.
How do you mean that?
- l don't know much about cars. - Neither does any other driver.
No, l really don't know. A turn here? A wedge there?
- l don't know. - How can that be?
They told me to get in a car and drive.
I'd like to help out, but l can't. l don't have the vocabulary.
Well ... we're just going to have to figure one out.
Don't worry about it. All right?
How does she feel?
- Her ass is all over the place. - Her rear end is loose.
''Loose'' is fast, and ''on the edge'' is out of control.
Cole, there is something else.
- Tires is what wins a race. - What are you talking about?
lf you can't run without melting the tires, we can't finish a race.
What do you want?
Run 50 laps any way you like, then 50 laps like l want you to.
Give me an honest run. lf you do, I'll beat you.
Now we're going to do it 50 laps my way.
When you were racing Indy cars, the tires were twice as wide -
- and the car weighed half as much. Now it's the opposite.
You're burning them up. They melt and get greasy.
You slip and slide and you're out of control. Let's go!
His way, my way. l was six seconds faster.
You can buy me some lunch at the highway joint.
- What's wrong? - We're figuring out what to do.
- About what? - We're in trouble.
Rowdy took the pole in 30:25. We're almost a second off the pace.
We're looking for some speed.
The car's perfect, Harry.
it's the first race of the season at Darlington International Speedway.
You're running 12th. 30 laps to go.
- You're going to burn the tires. - Everybody else slowed down.
He's right. Check his lap times. Everybody else has fallen off.
You're doing good, Cole. You're gaining on the leader.
15 to go.
Don't pass on the outside of turn four.
Stay to the inside. Ten laps to go.
Trickle is right behind Rowdy Burns.
- I'm right behind the leader. - Five laps to go.
- Remember me? - What the hell's going on?
Just a little rubbing. Rubbing's racing.
I'm going to take this rookie once and for all.
That's enough! You can't play with Rowdy like this.
Relax, Harry.
Rowdy Burns is out!
No! An incredible recovery by Rowdy.
We have a new leader. Cole Trickle in number 46.
We're under caution with three laps to go.
- Come on in. - What for?. it's almost over.
You've done 68 laps. Everybody's got to pit, Cole.
Go, go!
The air gun's jammed, get me another one.
Let's go!
Damn it! Go! Go!
Get them on quick!
- Son of a bitch! - Now, Cole ...
- Son of a bitch! - We're on the air, all right?
l was in first place. Now I'm in third with two laps to go.
Don't get excited. Third place is pretty respectable.
Going into turn four, drive right by him on the outside.
Nobody goes to the outside on turn four.
- You can hold it. - He's going to end up in the wall.
The pace car is about to go off. We don't have time to talk.
- We've got a good set of tires on. - What?
- Those tires are matched perfect. - You're going to get him killed.
lf you go to the outside, you can hold it.
All right.
The white flag is out. One lap to go.
The boy don't have the balls to pass me on the outside.
They're heading into treacherous turn four.
Cole Trickle wins his first ever NASCAR victory.
Second place goes to Rowdy Burns.
On that last turn, did you know you could make the car stick like that?
l knew it all along. Harry put on special tires.
- What's special about them? - Nothing in particular.
- You told me ... - l had to calm you down.
You were acting like such a candy-ass when the air gun stuck.
Try this on for size. We've got ourselves a sponsor.
Promise me that whatever else we do from here, we win Daytona.
That's a promise.
Selling useless mining stock is called a dog and pony show.
It may be funny, but it's not that funny when it happens to you.
- It happened to me. - You bought worthless stock?.
l told you l lost my ride. That's how l lost it.
Team owner was a conman selling junk bonds.
But mainly he sold stolen yachts.
After l won, he used my name to promote the sales.
He went to jail and l lost my ride.
- It was pretty humiliating. - Hell, don't be embarrassed.
Some lowlife piece of trash put you in a bad position.
That depends on whether you're related to that piece of trash.
He was my father.
I've never really stuck with anything since.
They don't trust me, and l don't trust them.
Like for instance ...
You lied to me today. It was dumb-luck l didn't end up crashed.
- l ought to punch you out. - Yeah? Give it a try.
No.
l wouldn't want my ass kicked by a 60-year-old man.
59.
Drivers just don't go to the outside like that.
l knew you could do it. l believed it in my heart.
- Peach or cherry?. - Cherry.
l need a leak.
There's calculating drivers, and then there's kamikaze drivers.
Cole here's a kamikaze, like my pappy was. Buddy Bretherton.
Buddy Bretherton was your dad?
- He died at Daytona. - Last year.
- How did it happen? - He hit the wall.
He was probably dead before that. The coroner reported a heart attack.
We've been pulled over.
Everybody out and up against the wall. You're under arrest.
- What the hell for?. - That.
Transportation of alcohol for the purpose of distribution.
This is not distribution, this is consumption.
That doesn't make it legal. Up against the wall.
It looks like we've found something. A concealed weapon.
- Where? - Right here.
Now, the only question is:
Will he actually use it?
Don't be mad. Harry and the boys thought you might like me.
Here we are for summer speed week in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The favorite today is newcomer Cole Trickle in number 46.
He has won an unprecedented five out of his last six races.
Stop playing peek-a-boo in Rowdy's rear-view mirror.
- I'm not doing anything like that. - Then what are you doing?
l loosened his bumper. I'll have to break it off.
lf his bumper goes through your radiator, you're finished.
Rowdy, let him go by.
I'm going to take him on the high side.
- What are you worried about, Harry?. - Great recovery, Cole.
Trickle's right behind the number 51 car, and they'll go at it again.
There's a crash coming out of turn four.
l see it.
- l can't see anything. - Wiggle your fingers for me.
l can't see anything.
I'm all right.
- l don't need recharging. - It's standard procedure.
- You go screw yourself. - What was that?
l wouldn't tell you to do that.
- Tell me what's going on. - What's your name?
- Cole. - Cole, lie still, please.
- CAT scan, right away. - Yes, Doctor.
He's had a concussion. His brain is bruised and it's going to swell.
That's what's affecting his vision.
You have a concussion.
- It will affect your vision. - Will it go away?.
Tell him we're running some tests.
What did his helmet look like? Was it cracked?
- No. - Was it scratched?
Was the helmet scratched at the front or back?.
- The back and the front. - Are you a brain doctor?
Could someone talk to me?
When I'm driving, I've got a guy on the radio who talks to me.
Don't worry, we're going to take care of him.
Harry.
- Are you okay, Harry?. - Yeah. Why?.
You look all bent out of shape.
- Hell, it's probably just my eyes. - No, I've been here all night.
Jesus! What are they giving me here?
What happened?
Rowdy was spinning across the track.
The rule is, go straight for them.
So l never took my foot off the gas.
He should have been gone by the time l got there ... but he wasn't.
l think another car hit you and knocked you into Rowdy.
It's one of those things that never happens. Don't even think about it.
- I'll get the doctor. - l feel great.
Damn nice to see you, Cole.
It's damn nice to see you, Buck.
Cole, you've met Dr Lewicki.
- That's your doctor. - He's not actually seen me before.
Sure, Harry.
- No ... - Dr Lewicki.
Smock, stethoscope. It's a great costume, Harry.
- How are you, Doc? - This really is Dr Lewicki.
- l was just about to go off duty. - You came by to look me over.
That's not a bad idea. Is your vision restored?
- l think so. - Nothing's blurred?
No haloes around objects? Flashing lights?
- What are you going to do now?. - Look into your eyes.
Doc ...
Isn't this what you're really looking for?.
That's interesting enough, but it's just not my specialty.
- She was the real thing? - l wouldn't be joking around here.
Sorry, I'm trying not to smile.
All right, get out.
Get out of here.
- l can walk. - Not while you're in this hospital.
- Can you pick up the pace a little? - lf you want drugs, see the nurse.
Get out of the way.
Good morning, gentlemen. Right this way.
Neither Mr. Burns nor Mr. Trickle have any significant cranial injury.
Let's have that in English. Did they mess up their squash?
Their brains are intact ... as much as they ever were.
- Do they get clearance to race? - It's a dangerous pastime.
- That's not a medical objection. - They won't get clearance just yet.
- That's total horseshit. - Gentlemen, please ...
l think they'd like another opinion. We'd like to talk to your boss.
Which is a re-evaluation in a week or two.
Thank you. We have something to say to the boys in private.
Okay, Big John's turn.
lf you want to become a greasy spot on a country road, go ahead.
l don't give a shit and l don't think anybody else does.
But you're not going to do it on my racetrack.
You've all heard of Japanese inspection?
When the Japs get a load of lettuce they don't want in the country, -
- they let it sit on the docks until they get ready to look at it.
By then it's all gone rotten. There's nothing left to inspect.
Lettuce is a perishable item, like you two monkeys.
You trade paint one more time, I'll black flag the two of you.
I'll take apart your race car for inspection.
After you've put it back together, you can race.
Now, as there's no hard feelings, we're all going out to dinner.
- I've got other plans. - You'll have to change them.
You two are going to drive to dinner together.
Dr Lewicki ...
l want to apologize for what happened with Cole.
It's nothing to worry about. It was hardly your doing.
That's just it, it was. Not long ago, we played a trick on Cole.
We dressed up a pretty girl in a highway-patrol uniform.
We told her to get real ornery with him and she did.
- You mean ..? - l mean real ornery.
- Why do you want me to know this? - Don't hold a bad opinion of Cole.
l believe it scares him. He needs reassurance from you that he's okay.
After all, you're his doctor.
That's it.
Doc ...
l heard you thought l was a highway-patrol officer.
- Thank you for taking care of me. - It's my job.
- It's my life. - This time let's shake hands.
- Of course. - Good luck, Cole.
- Dr Lewicki, could l see you? - You will, l promise.
l mean have some dinner, I'll take you to a race.
That's very sweet, but it won't get you back on the track any faster.
No ...
It's not what l meant.
- Now what? - Here's how l see this deal ...
Neither of us is going to let the other drive this car to dinner.
- There's only one way to settle it. - What are you talking about?
Absolutely.
Let me tell you something. lf you can't control your race drivers ...
Stick to something you can control.
Like used cars in downtown Charlotte.
- Too close to call? - Yeah.
- You're late. - We had car trouble.
- What kind of car trouble? - l believe it was the radiator.
Yes, Rowdy, l believe it was.