Disney Books - Cars 3 Junior Novel

Materials and characters from the movie Cars 3. Copyright 2017 Disney Enterprises, Inc., and Pixar. All rights reserved. Disney/Pixar elements Disney/Pixar; rights in underlying vehicles are the property of the following third parties, as applicable: FIAT is a trademark of FCA Group Marketing S.p.A.; Model T is a trademark of Ford Motor Company; and Mack is a trademark of Mack Trucks, Inc. Published by Disney Press, an imprint of Disney Book Group. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. For information address Disney Press, 1101 Flower Street, Glendale, California 91201.

ISBN 978-1-368-00044-4

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L ightning McQueen closed his eyes and concentrated on the sound of his breathing. Okay, here we go, he said to himself. Focus. He took a deep breath. Speed. I am speed. He imagined racing around a track to the cheers of a packed stadium. One winner. Forty-two losers. I eat losers for breakfast.

He pictured more cars whipping around the track. Did I used to say that? Really? he said, suddenly realizing how silly it sounded.

Yeah. Ya did, said Mater.

Lightning shouted, surprised by the interruption of his pre-race ritual. Mater? he asked.

Hey, buddy! Mater replied. Yep, you used to say that all the time. I remember this one time

Lightning cut him off. Mater! What are you doing in here?

I didnt want ya to be lonely, he said.

Well, thank you, Lightning said, softening a bit. But I need a little quiet. Im kinda preparing for a race.

Just then, the door on Macks trailer started to roll down.

Oh, right! Mater said. You got it, buddy! Mater shouted as he left.

The door closed and Lightning took a deep breath. Okay, he said, settling back into his routine. I am speed

But Mater interrupted him again. Only this time, Lightning could hear him yelling outside the trailer.

Hey! Mater called. My best friend, Lightning McQueen, needs quiet! Perfect quiet!

Lightning chuckled, then gave himself a moment to get back into the zone. Okay, where was I? he said. After another deep breath, he said, Racing. Real racing.

In his mind, he saw himself racing againbut this time he was back at home in Radiator Springs, driving around the quiet, expansive Willys Butte with his old friend and mentor, Doc Hudson.

Even though Doc had been gone for some time, Lightning could still hear his gruff voice, clear as day. As he remembered the scene, he could hear Doc say, That aint racing. That wasnt even a Sunday drive. That was one lap. Racing is five hundred of those. Everybodys fighting to move up, lap after lapinside, outside, inches apart, never touching. Now, thats racin!

Wow, Lightning whispered. He was back in the present moment and looking at a picture of himself with Doc. The trailer door opened and Lightning slipped out. All right, here we go! This ones for you, Doc! He revved his engine and took off.

Bright sunlight sparkled down on the Florida International Super Speedway as Lightning blazed past the larger-than-life Jumbotron. He had hit the track at full speed. The race had started, the place was packed, and Lightnings fans exploded with cheers when they saw the flash of red streak by. One enthusiastic young fan stood out from the crowd. Her name was Maddy, and she seemed to shout Lightnings name louder than anyone.

Lightnings best friends from Radiator Springs were in the stands, too. They cheered loudlybut no one was more excited than Mater. He tried to get as close to the track as possible, weaving through the crowd. Scuse me, pardon me. Best friend coming through! All while wearing a hat with a large yellow foam lightning bolt that looked like it was going through his head. Go, McQueen! he shouted.

Up ahead, Lightning could see his longtime top rivals: Bobby Swift and Cal Weathers. As he narrowed the gap, he saw another racer, Brick Yardley. Lightning cruised up next to his friend and saw an opportunity to get him off his game.

Hey, Cal. Gas caps open.

Oh, what? Cal replied. He realized Lightning was joking, then quickly added, Hey! Well, your gas caps open!

Good comeback, Bobby retorted.

Lightning couldnt help laughing as he led his friends around the backstretch of the track. The fans cheered, loving every second.

As they headed toward the pits, announcers Bob Cutlass and Darrell Cartrip commented on the friendly rivalry.

And into the pit goes Lightning McQueen, Bobby Swift, and Cal Weathers, Bob said. These three are fun to watch, arent they, Darrell?

I cant tell if they have more fun on or off the track! Darrell replied.

Lightning pulled into his station and Guido got to work. Rusty and Dusty of Rust-eze, Lightnings longtime sponsor, proudly watched as Guido swiftly changed Lightnings tires.

All right, Guido, said Dusty. You move faster than my brother leaks oil. He laughed at his own clever joke.

Sally and Mater stood close by and watched. Lightning winked at Sally as Guido finished up.

Finito! Guido yelled, tightening the last bolt on a new set of racing tires. Via! Via! And with that, Lightning took offburning ahead of Cal, Bobby, and Brick.

You gettin a car wash, too, Cal? Lightning called back, teasing his friend.

No! Youre gettin a car wash, McQueen! yelled Cal.

Lightning blistered around the last turn and toward the finish line. Bobby and Cal were both a length behind, on either side of him. The checkered flag dropped and the crowd burst into cheers. Lightning McQueen had won again.

Lightning loved racing, and he felt especially great after winning! He entered the pits and moved toward the garage while Shannon Spokes, a field correspondent for Racing Sports Network, interviewed him. Their conversation was shown on the Jumbotron.

Lightning, how do you keep your focus racing against Bobby and Cal? Shannon asked.

Easy. We respect each other on and off the track. These guys are real class acts

But before he could finish, he caught a glimpse of something menacing just outside the frame of the interview camera.

Hey! Lightning yelled.

Whoosh! All of a sudden, Lightning was hit with the foam blast of a fire extinguisher, and a gas can resembling a cherry was placed on top of his hood. He found himself looking ridiculous and completely unprofessional on camera while Bobby and Cal wheeled away, laughing hysterically.

Oh, theyre gonna pay, Lightning whispered.

Days later, at the Heartland Motor Speedway, Cal, Lightning, Bobby, and Brick were at it again. The rivals were locked in a tight finish, but this time Cal won! As they swarmed the pits, Cals Dinoco pit crew cheered.

After the race, Cal cruised through the crowd to get to Victory Lane. Just like after Lightnings win, Shannon Spokes interviewed him, and the conversation was shown on the Jumbotron.