Human!Lightning McQueen x Reader (Title TBD)

The Tie-Breaker Race

"Dad!" You exclaimed happily, pointing up at the screen. However, Doc brushed you off.

"(Y/N)," he began in a very serious tone, "retain professionalism." He spared a few seconds to look you dead in the eyes. "If you're gonna be a racer, you need to learn that the only thing that matters in a race is you, your crew, and the race itself. Everything else is a distraction."

You were hurt by a moment at the sudden change in his demeanor, but when you understood this was a learning opportunity from Doc himself, a determined smile rose to your face. "Right! Gotcha!" Redirecting your attention to the race itself, you returned your attention to the big screen which had resumed to show live footage of the race. The footage showed McQueen at the other end of the speedway, easily passing by The King and Chick Hicks. The screen also showed a statue update, showing McQueen was no longer a lap down and had joined the Lead Lap.

"McQueen passed them on the inside!" Bob Cutlass declared happily over the speakers.

"But he's still nearly a lap down!" Darrell Cartrip added in.

"Can he catch up to them with only sixty laps to go!?"

"Yes!" You cheered. Everyone else cheered too, including Mater who was wildly shaking around red pompoms with glittery golden tinsel added in with no regard for the people around him. You laughed.

"You're doing great, kid." Doc beamed, speaking into the headset. "Just keep your head on."

Everyone continued to watch the race progress, and only laps later, McQueen had finally caught back up to the leaders. You bit your lip anxiously as he began to pass Chick on the inside, but wasn't exactly surprised when Chick pulled his typical dirty move. He maneuvered just right to clip McQueen's back driver side corner, causing McQueen to begin to spin out as he turned backwards.

"No!" You hissed in dismay, clenching your fists and stomping your foot one time.

However, much to your relief, the footage picked up McQueen seamlessly switching to some solid backwards driving. He drove backwards right past Chick Hicks and again, on the flip of a dime, seamlessly spun around and resumed racing forward as normal without losing any ground. Everyone in the Rusteze out cheered, especially Mater who was over the moon that McQueen had picked up on his special little tricks. You and Mater shared a celebratory fist bump, loudly exclaiming in unison, "Ka-chow!"

"What a move by McQueen!" Bob cheered. "He's caught up to the leaders!"

"Oh, yeah! This is what it's all about!" Darrell chimed in. "A three-way battle for the lead, with only ten to go!"

Continuing to watch, you watch as Chick tried to overtake McQueen, but the rookie's reflexes were on point for the most part. He was very much on top of Chick's decisions and constantly veered to block him every single time. Chick eventually outsmarted McQueen and, at the last second, rammed against McQueen's car. Everyone could see McQueen's tire pop on screen.

"Doc, I'm flat! I'm flat!" McQueen's voice broke through the headset. He sounded quite alarmed, which you didn't blame him one bit.

"Can you make it to the pits?" Doc asked, voice also sounding in alarm.

"Yeah, yeah. I think so."

Something caught Doc's attention. It was the waving of the yellow flag, as well as Charlie Checker's reappearance on the track to slow the racers down for a reset lap. "Hey, you got a yellow!" Doc exclaimed, a look of hope in his eyes. "Bring it in. Don't tear yourself up, kid."

"We gotta get him back out there, or we're gonna be a lap down and we'll never win this race!" Mack began to wail.

"Guido!" Doc barked. "It's time!"