Right on Track (2003)

[bunniefuu]

GIRL: Vroom!

[DOG BARKS]

GIRL: Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!

Speeding down the track.

The other car pulls out in front,

what will Terry McConey do?

She's gonna hit that cat.

And, oh, look! Oh, Erica wins!

-Yes!
-Whoo-hoo! Okay, race is over. I gotta go.

-Dad, can I please go?
-No, monkey, not this time.

Oh, come on, now. Be good.

Now, come on! Daddy's gotta run.

Come on!

Jump! Oh! [GRUNTS]

Oh, that's my girl.

Rock and roll, Daddy! Stick 'em!

Hey, Erica.

Still got your training wheels on.

-You big baby!
-Yeah! [LAUGHS]

I can beat you!

-Cannot!
-Can, too!

Oh, yeah? Race me to the mailbox.

ANNOUNCER:
And next up, in lane two, Gregg Enders.

In lane one, Erica Enders.

[ENGINE RUNNING]

[ENGINE REVS]

[ENGINE REVS LOUDLY]

Yeah! Whoo!

Whoo!

Well, Erica, that's very good.

Thank you, ma'am.
It's a four-link dragster.



weighs 1,700 pounds,

and can go up to 180 miles per hour.

Oh.

Come on, Mom! It's a new league!
They just started.

They're called junior dragsters.

The roll cage withstands crashes
up to 250 miles an hour!

And the car only goes about 60.

-Absolutely not.
-Honey!

I'll have a fire suit.

And a five-point harness.

All right! All right!
Give it a rest, please.

-I do not like to be ganged up on.
-[EXHALES]

I think it's dangerous.

-[PUNCH THUDS]
-Ow!

Please, Mom. Please.

Please, oh, please.

Just get ready for bed.

[SIGHS]

Come on.

Thanks a lot, Courtney.

Am I being that big of a witch?

No.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

It just scares me, Gregg.

Honey, they've got rules up to here
to keep them safe.

-The playground's more dangerous.
-Gregg...

Well, it's something she wants to do!

I mean, it's not like it's a dress
or a toy or something.

It's something she really wants to do.

There's a big difference.

Would you be so against it
if she wanted to take violin lessons?

When did anyone ever get k*lled
playing a violin?

Well, if it was dangerous,
would I let her do it?

Mmm.

What?

[ENGINE REVS]

ANNOUNCER:
Welcome, folks, to the first-ever

NHRA junior drag racing event.

Now, after nearly 50 years
of organized drag racing,

kids ages eight to 16 will finally
have the opportunity to drive

real dragsters down the same drag strip
as the professionals.

-I got it! I got it! I got it!
-I see it. I see it.

-Mom!
-Hey.

You think that's a good idea?
Letting a little girl go out there?

Well, let's wait
until the end of the race,

and then you can tell me.

-It's not that pink.
-WOMAN: Where'd you get that paint job?

[ENGINE STARTING]

Rock and roll, monkey. Stick 'em!

I'm going to win, Dad.

And in lane two, Eric Enders.

Excuse me. It's Erica Enders.

-Is that a girl? [CHUCKLES]
-Yes.

I guess that explains
the color of the car, huh?

Correction there, folks.
In lane two, Erica Enders.

Dad, it's a girl.

What if I get beaten by a girl?

You'll be fine. Just do your best.

Have a good race, son.

ANNOUNCER:
And first up in lane one, Randy Jones.

Whoo-hoo!

[ALL CHEERING]

Yeah! Whoo!

Dad, we won!

You were so good today.

Thanks. Dad, look!

Oh! That one's for the Nationals, honey.

I want to win that, Dad.

Well, we'll see.

Don't you think I can do it?

I didn't say that. It's just that...

Every kid who gets behind the wheel

of one of those cars
thinks the same thing.

And I mean kids from all over the country.

I can tell you, honey.
There's a big difference

between wanting something
and actually getting it.

You wait and see. I'm going to win that.

Yes! It's perfect! I love this car!

Now, Erica, there's some things on this
car that are different from the other one.

First of all, that throttle is a lot more
sensitive than the other one.

-Daddy, I know all this.
-Stop rolling your eyes and listen.

-[LAUGHS]
-ERICA: Courtney!

You know, moving up to this age group
is going to be a lot more work.

-I know.
-A lot of traveling.

And the competition's tougher.

You're not going to be bringing home
trophies every week right away.

-I know.
-And we expect you both

to keep up in school.

No problem.

Straight A's. You can race out of state.

A "B" on your report card,
and you stay right here in Houston.

Any C's, and these cars go up on blocks.

We're serious about this.

-Okay.
-Okay.

Don't just say "Okay."

We're making a contract here,
and we expect you both to keep it.

Okay.

ANNOUNCER: Well,
it's another beautiful day

for racing here in Houston, Texas.

And we've seen some pretty talented
up-and-coming young drivers

leading up to today's big final.

Now, keep in mind,
they go at pretty fast speeds,

and some of these drivers
don't even have driver's licenses!

[ENGINE REVVING, TIRES SQUEALING]

Well, here it is, folks.
This is the one you've been waiting for.

Today's two finalists.

In lane one, it will be Erica Enders.

-And taking the lane two position,
-[LAUGHS]

Jordy Knowlton.

You race fans may recognize
Jordy's crew chief as his daddy,

big-time Top Fuel national runner-up,
Rusty Knowlton.

That little girl of yours
isn't going to cry

when my Jordy beats her butt, now, is she?

ANNOUNCER: And this is it!

Both cars are now staged.

Let's see who's going
to take home this trophy.

Ah! No!

-Yeah!
-ANNOUNCER: The winner, Jordy Knowlton.

Yeah! [LAUGHING]

Make sure you take
a box of tissues with you.

Whoo-hoo! Yeah!

[CROWD CHEERING]

Hey, there he is! Jordy!

Great job! Great job!

JORDY: Piece of cake!
RUSTY: Yeah!

-Isn't this kid great?
-Fantastic!

I told you he was going to win!

Come on. Go shake hands.

No. He's a jerk.

That's not the point, honey.

At the end of the day,
winning and losing is not as important

as being the best person you can.

So, jerk or not, you're gonna go
over there and shake his hand.

Come on.

Come on!

This is great!.

Congratulations.

Good race.

RUSTY: You show me a good loser,

I'll show you a loser.

This ain't for little girls.

So, young lady, why don't you do us
and the sport a favor

and get out now.

You're right. They're jerks.

Yes!

-Okay, cut it out! You are so annoying.
-[LAUGHS]

-Did you get to 5.0 yet?
-Not yet.

-Come on. Let me try.
-Later.

Oh, please! Please! Please!

Okay, okay! Here!

Thank you.

Mmm.



No, you didn't!

It took me almost an hour to get 5.35.

[SIGHS] This is boring.

Daddy! I think this thing's defective!

It's late, honey.

-Time for bed.
-Just a few more minutes.

-It's a school night.
-Mom.

You can't win all the time, Erica.

Are you gonna be like this
every time you lose?

'Cause I'm not gonna put up with it.

It's just a race.

I know.

I just really hate to lose, that's all.

And that Jordy kid is...

Then why do you do it?

Are the trophies really worth
what you're putting yourself through?

It's not just the trophies.

Then what is it?

Well, I mean...

[SIGHS] This might sound stupid.

But when I'm out there on the track,

and I'm sitting in the driver's seat
there, I just...

Don't laugh.

I won't.

I just feel like...

Like that's where I belong.

I mean, ever since I was little

and I'd sit in Daddy's car
in the driveway there...

I don't feel like I belong any place else.

And...

What, honey?

Sometimes...
[INHALES SHARPLY]

It kind of scares me.

When I see other kids doing stuff and...

All I want to do is race, Mom.

Sometimes I feel like
I'm some kind of alien or something.

You're not an alien, honey.

You're just a little different
than most girls.

And at your age, being different
can be pretty difficult.

But don't make it any rougher on yourself
than it already is.

No one wins all the time, honey.

Come on.

Get to bed.

COURTNEY: Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!

[GIGGLES] Vroom!

So, did you win?

Don't do that.

Boy, I can't wait
till I get to drive one of these.

You got a couple of years.

When I get mine, we can race.

[SCOFFS] No way.

I'll still be in a different age class,
so forget it.

But we'll have the same kind of car.

Forget it.

Why?

'Cause when I beat you,
all I did is beat a little kid,

and if, and I do mean if,
by some miracle, you beat me,

then I got beat by a little kid.
It's a no-win situation for me.

[CHUCKLES]

You really crack me up, you know that?
You take it so serious.

How am I supposed to take it?

It's just a race. When you lose a race...

Which is rare.

Okay. But even when you win,

like, if you get a lousy time
in the trials or something,

you mope around, slam doors, and stuff.

-I do not.
-Do to.

-Courtney, do me a big favor.
-What?

Get out of my car.

[SIGHS]

-[READING IN FRENCH]
-[STUDENTS REPEATING IN FRENCH]

[MOUTHING] I can't.

[ALL CONTINUE SPEAKING IN FRENCH]

ANNOUNCER: Welcome back, race fans,
to Texas Raceway in Dallas, Texas.

Let's go!

ANNOUNCER: Up next in lane one,
Courtney Enders.

[ENGINE REVVING]

[CROWD CHEERING]

[BOTH CHEERING]

Yes!

ANNOUNCER: And Courtney wins
with a time of 8.99!

And that breaks the previous
record that was held by,

that's right, her big sister,
Erica Enders.

How about that? That's what we call
keeping it in the family.

Wow! Did you see that? Did you see that,
huh? Huh? Huh?

-Congratulations.
-Now we're both in the record books.

Yeah.

Well, isn't that great?

What's the matter?

You had a good time, that's all.

That's all?

That's all.

Whatever.

Why do you waste your time
putting on makeup like that

when all you're gonna do is
put on a helmet,

and nobody even knows?

So what?

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Hi, Erica. Jerry Tramel.

I interviewed you for
National Dragster magazine.

Hey, Mr. Tramel. I'll be out in a sec.

Uh, actually I'm here
to talk to your sister.

Oh.

Okay.

For you.

Try not to mess up your hair.

JERRY: Courtney, hi.
COURTNEY: Hey.

Couple questions for you. Um...

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]

Of course, I'm happy for her.

I mean, she's my sister, and I love her,
it's just that...

[GRUNTS IN FRUSTRATION] She just
drives me crazy sometimes.

-Well, don't let her.
-I can't help it.

And it's not like she does it on purpose.

At least, not all the time.
But... Like today...

When I get interviewed, I get all nervous,
and I usually just stutter,

and my mouth gets dry,
like I don't know what.

I've seen it, remember?

Right. But Courtney, you know,
it's like nothing to her.

Even racing. I mean, she tries
half as hard as I ever did,

and she's just as good
as I was at her age.

I mean, everything comes
so much easier for her.

Well, she had a pretty big advantage.

-What?
-She had you to teach her a lot of stuff.

I mean, she's good,

but she's a lot better because of you.

You know, for a boy, you say some
pretty intelligent things once in a while.

I'll take that as a compliment.

[LAUGHS]

Should I leave?
I don't want to wreck your love life.

[CHUCKLES] I gotta have one
before you can wreck it.

I'm gonna find you a girlfriend.

Me? What about you?

Where's your boyfriend?

I'm away racing every weekend.

Not every weekend.

I don't know what it is. I mean,
maybe they're intimidated or something.

'Cause they're just getting
their learner's permit,

and you've been racing
dragsters since you were eight.

[HORN HONKS]

ERICA: Look at her.

I can't even get them to talk to me,

and she's got them
hanging all over the place.

I don't get it.

Well, it's simple.

She loses.

Ah!

-[WHISTLE BLOWS]
-BOY: Whoo!

-Down, girl, down.
-Just looking.

Well, push your eyeballs back in.
It's time to practice.

Check it out. It's our racer girl.
She thinks she's so cool.

Yeah, big deal. She drives a car.

You think she chews tobacco, too?

The second one of them breaks a nail,
they'll call 911.

Besides, they're just jealous.

Why? They're the popular ones.

Just 'cause they're popular
doesn't mean anybody likes them.

[WHISTLE BLOWING]

Let's go, ladies!
Two lines. Outside hitting.

Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!

Decide to come out
for a real sport, Erica?

If you get winded or anything,
take a break.

Are you saying what I do is not a sport?

Well, it doesn't take a lot
of athletic ability to sit on your butt.

Don't forget,
she has to step on the gas, too.

[LAUGHS]

Ever drive a dragster?

The g-forces are so intense,
it slams you into the seat.

You can't breathe, literally,
'cause of the pressure on your lungs.

Makes it kind of hard to
move your head and arms,

and, believe me, you gotta do both.

So you really have to develop
your arm and shoulder muscles.

And as for hand and eye coordination,
you make a mistake, you lose a point.

I make a mistake, someone can get hurt.

So, sorry. I gotta disagree with you.

It does take a little athletic ability
to do what I do.

COACH: Very good, Erica!

Oh, man.

Can you tell me what's
wrong with this picture?

GREGG: I give up. What's wrong?

We've got almost the exact same times,
exact same records, and look.

Jordy's got, like, a million sponsors,
and I can't even get one.

Is that what's bothering you?

Yes. I see it all the time.

There's kids here, kids that I've beaten,
and they've all got sponsors.

Because they're boys.
That's the only reason.

It's not fair.

[SIGHS IN EXASPERATION]

I'm sorry, Dad.
I mean, I know it's a lot of money...

You let me worry about that.

But you wouldn't have to
if I could get a sponsor.

I'm as good as, or better than those kids,
and they've all got sponsors.

It's just because I'm a girl.

And it's not fair.

I'll tell you what.

I'll have a talk tomorrow
with Mr. White about sponsorship,

and you just keep racing.

Okay?

Okay.

[CAR APPROACHING]

[CLOSES CAR DOOR]

-Hey.
-Hey.

-How'd it go?
-ERICA: What'd they say?

Did you get it?

I'm sorry, honey.

I had a long talk with Mr. White,

and he said that his company
couldn't sponsor you because...

Well, at least he was honest.

He said there's a lot of people out there
kind of upset

because you keep beating the boys.

Just give it time, honey.

When you get closer to the Nationals,
they won't be able to ignore you.

[SIGHS] Why are people like that?

People are slow to change sometimes.

Anything new or different
kind of frightens them.

And you are different, honey.

Now, I know you're not
the most patient person in the world.

Neither am I.

So you get it honest.

But you're just gonna have to wait.

They'll come around.

Thanks for trying, Daddy.

-[GROANS]
-COACH: Erica, are you hurt?

-Yeah. I'm fine. I'm fine.
-Are you sure?

I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm fine.

-Are you sure?
-Uh-huh.

Yeah.

All right. Let's get back to practice.

-Yeah.
-Okay.

Here. You should see a doctor.

I'm fine.

Erica, you can't even lift your arm.

If I tell my parents,
they won't let me race this weekend.

So, take a weekend off.

Okay, okay. Ridiculous thought.

-Hey, hon.
-Hey.

Erica hurt herself at volleyball today.

She's got a bruise on her shoulder
the size of an orange.

-Why didn't she say something?
-Why do you think?

It's too much for her, Gregg.

-She's gotta cut back on the racing.
-[CHUCKLES]

She'll never make the Nationals
if she does that.

I don't care about the Nationals, Gregg.

I'm worried about her.

You're pushing her too hard.

Honey, the only one pushing Erica
is Erica.

You help, Gregg. You do.

-I just want her to be good.
-For who?

You or her?

You know, when she first started,
I admit, I was a little jealous.

And, at first, I thought...

Well, let's face it,
she's a better driver than I ever was.

But that wasn't it, honey.

It was her passion.

That kid has an honest to God
passion for this,

and she's known it
since she was eight years old.

-But she's still a kid.
-I know. But, hon...

The first time she got behind a wheel,

I could see that she knew how
to do things that can't be taught.

Only the best drivers have that...

That... That...

That instinct.

You have it when you're born,
and it seems to me,

if God gives you a natural talent
like that, it has to be encouraged.

But it's just that she's going through
such a rough age for a girl.

And then she's got to cope
with stuff that most kids don't.

I hate to think
she's missing out on being a kid.

Hey...

If Erica or Courtney
ever want to quit racing,

I am not gonna stand in their way.

ANNOUNCER:
Welcome to today's time trials, folks.

These young drivers will be racing
against the clock

and trying to keep from being eliminated.

Those with the best times
go on to race another day,

so every millisecond counts.

Jordy, you've really been ripping it up
in the Northeast,

what brings you down to Houston?

Well, my sponsor sent me down
for the spring series.

That was awesome.

-You were so good today.
-I know.

Gonna take it a little easy
out there today?

Ah, never.

What is he doing here?

You just made the cover of Junior Dragster
for the third straight month.

-JORDY: Yeah. Who else?
-What do you want to bet I get him

in the time trials tomorrow?

And this time,
he's not gonna know what hit him.

Not a good idea
to take this stuff personally.

I can't help it.

I still get nightmares
about the time he beat me.

What do you think of the competition
so far?

[LAUGHS] Not much.

But, uh...

I figure I might be meeting
one of these guys down here for Nationals,

-so I had to check things out.
-Guys?

Do you hear that? Guys?

ANNOUNCER: And up next
in today's time trials,

in lane two, Jordy Knowlton.

Erica, let's go.

Monkey, relax. It's just a time trial.

[ENGINE REVS]

ANNOUNCER: And that's Jordy Knowlton
with a time of 8.91.



[EXHALES SHARPLY]

ANNOUNCER: In lane one, Erica Enders.

-An 8.89 for Erica Enders.
-Whoo!

[CHEERING]

Dad, what was my time?

That was 8.89, honey.

ERICA: Yes.
GREGG: You beat his time.

We're coming to get you.

Dad, stop.

Hey, Jordy.

Mr. Knowlton.

Those are for your son,

in case he starts crying
when I whup him in the final. [LAUGHS]

-It was just a joke.
-No, it wasn't, Erica.

For the first time in your life,
you embarrassed me.

Oh, but it's okay when he does it?

You're not him!

You have been taught better.

You want to lower yourself?
Go ahead, be like the Knowltons.

A while ago, I had to teach you
how to act when you lose.

But I never,

never thought I'd have to teach you
how to win.

Honey...

I know it would feel good
for a couple of minutes

to throw it back at him, and to be honest,

I've wanted to do it myself
a couple of times.

But, in the end,
all you do is cheapen yourself.

You're better than that.

You haven't yelled at me in a long time.

Yeah, well, don't make me do it again.
I don't like it.

Me neither.

[ENGINE REVS]

ANNOUNCER: Well, this is the one
we've been waiting for, folks.

New Jersey state champion
Jordy Knowlton taking on

the Southwestern champion Erica Enders.

Now, this is not the first meeting
between these two.

Something tells me it won't be the last.

This is the one
we've all been waiting for.

Both cars are staged.

This is going to be a dandy.

Ladies and gentlemen, Erica Enders left

before the light turned green,
which will disqualify her.

And which makes today's winner
Jordy Knowlton.

Yes! All right!

ERICA: I blew it!
GREGG: You'll get him next time.

[TEACHER AND STUDENTS SPEAKING FRENCH]

May I?

Sorry.

[ALL CONTINUE IN FRENCH]

TEACHER: All right. Let's start again.

ANNOUNCER: Pro Stock's 16 qualifiers
this year is the closest ever

with only 300 separating
the field of 16 cars.

Number-one qualifier at 678...

Honey, would you set the torque wrench
for 150 and hand it to me?

Okay.

Gregg! Gregg Enders.

-Who is that, Daddy?
-I don't know.

Will Coleman. Team Pennzoil.

And you, you must be Courtney.
Pleasure to meet you.

Say, you got a minute?

I got to tell you,
my daughter is a huge fan of Erica's.

Well, listen, I can't promise anything,

but I've got some of the big boys
here today,

and if Erica shows them something,
I mean, really shows them something,

well, I might be able
to persuade them to sponsor her.

[CLATTERS]

[ALL LAUGH]

-Really?
-Yes, sir, I think we can.

Oh! Thank you! Thank you very much.

You don't know how much this means to us.

You know, I tell you what,
on a purely business level,

I think Erica's got
a good chance to win Nationals.

And on a personal level, my daughter
has been driving me nuts to do it.

So, you guys have a good race today.
Good luck to you.

-Thank you! Thanks again!
-You bet!

Wow.

Not a word to your sister.

She puts enough pressure on herself.

Tell me about it.

-Pretty cool!
-[SQUEALS]

Oh, my God!

Rock and roll, monkey!

You got it!

That's the one I was telling you about
right here.

The clutch bolt's loose!

-Stop the race!
-Stop the light!

Erica, stop the car.

Dad, it won't shut off. It won't shut off!

All right. Don't panic.

Dad, I can't stop.

Dad, the throttle's stuck!
The throttle's stuck!

All right. Just keep it straight.

You're going in the stands.
You're going to be all right.

Just hang on. I'll be right there.

Oh!

[ERICA SCREAMS]

[ENGINE REVS]

[SIREN WAILING]

[INDISTINCT TALKING]

Erica!

Erica... Erica...

It's me, honey, it's Daddy.

-Daddy?
-You're going to be all right.

-Hold on. They're going to lift...
-[GROANING]

They're going to lift you
out of here, okay?

It's okay. She's going to be all right.

"If it was dangerous,
would I let her do it?"

Remember saying that?

I do.

Janet Lee, don't.

Don't what? Don't get upset?

I just saw my daughter crash,
and I don't intend on seeing that again.

You can go in now.

Mr. and Mrs. Enders?

There's no sign of concussion,
no broken bones.

She'll probably be sore for a while,
but she'll be just fine.

You can take her home anytime.

-Thank you very much, Doctor.
-[SIGHS] Thank you.

[CHUCKLES]

You okay?

Yeah. I'm okay.

Are you?

-[EXHALES]
-Oh.

I'm fine.
I just want to get back to the track.

How's it coming?

The engine's fine.

I had to replace the front end
and weld the roll cage back on.

-Is it ready to race?
-Well, yeah...

Why?

-I can't make that decision.
-Mom, Dad...

I want to make a run.

Honey, the races are over for today.

Just one run, please.

Erica, you just got out of the hospital.

And I'm fine. Please, Mom?

Please, I have to.

If I don't do this now,
I'll have too much time to think about it,

and next time I'll be really scared.
Please, Mom.

Please?

All right.

You go get ready.

[ENGINE STARTS]

[LAUGHS]

Yes! Whoo!

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

[COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING]

[MUSIC STOPS]

So, I figured out what color I want.
Cherry red.

What are you talking about?

-[MOUTHING]
-Well,

I'm going to be moving
into your car division soon,

so I'll need a new car.

Kind of rushing things, aren't you, honey?

RANDY: Pass the potato salad.

It's just a couple months from now.

If anyone's getting a new car,
it's going to be me.

-What?
-You can have my old one.

-Baked beans.
-COURTNEY: That's not fair!

How come I always have to get
the hand-me-down car?

Because you're younger.
That's the way things work.

-Dad!
-Hold on. Nobody's getting a new car.

At least not right now.

-But...
-That's final!

Wasabi?

On a burger?

It's something different.

[ALL LAUGHING]

-GREGG: Come in.
-Good evening!

-Mr. Coleman, sit down.
-Whoo!

Boy, that is some Texas rain.

Of course, you'll be featured
in our advertising,

and we will underwrite a large portion
of your operation here.

So, what do you say, Erica? Hmm?

How would you like Team Pennzoil
to sponsor you?

I'm a little curious about something,
Mr. Coleman.

I mean, I've been doing this for a while,

and I've got a lot of records and things,
and, well,

today I get in an accident
and suddenly you're offering me this?

I'm kind of confused, I guess.

Look, I don't blame you. I told your dad

that I'd hoped you'd show me
something today.

When you...
When you climbed back into that car,

after what happened today...

Well, that really showed me something.

So, how about it?

-One condition.
-JANET LEE: Huh?

You have to sponsor my sister, too.

[SQUEALS]

The both of you?

[CHUCKLES] You know what, why not?

-[BOTH SQUEAL]
-GREGG: Yes!

COURTNEY: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[ALL LAUGHING]

Okay. Relax now, Erica.

I am relaxed.

Just loosen it up a little bit.

I'm comfortable like this, thank you.

Okay. That's enough for now.
Courtney, it's your turn.

Great, Courtney!

Great!

Great!

Quit trying to be cool.

I don't have to try.

So, now that you two have the same car,
when are you going to race each other?

-Never!
-Real soon!

What are you doing? It's time to race.

Now, remember,
the first jolt's a big one, so...

-I know, Erica.
-No, you don't know.

This car is a lot more powerful
than that little pink car.

-Hey, look at that.
-What?

Cute boy.

You have to be serious.
It's time to race. Now, concentrate!

Good luck, honey!

Yes! Whoo-hoo!

[ALL CHEERING]

[ENGINE REVVING]

[CROWD CHEERING]

So, what do you both do
when you're not racing?

Any boyfriends?

Well, I'm not allowed to have any yet,

but Erica doesn't because
they're all afraid

she's going to want to drive.
[LAUGHING]

-Hi.
-Hi.

Want a picture?

Want me to sign it?

You're a quiet one, aren't you?

I want to drive someday, too.

Good.

Okay! Aw!

MAN: Congratulations.

So, are you ready to test
for your driver's license?

Are you sure you're ready for this?

-Yes, sir.
-All right.

I'm going to time this test.

So, when you're ready,
put it in gear and step on the gas.

Yes, sir.

[CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY]

[TIRES SCREECH]

That was great!

-[TIRES SCREECH]
-INSTRUCTOR: Oh!

Impressive. [LAUGHS]

You've done this before, haven't you?

Mmm. Once or twice.

[SCHOOL BELL RINGS]

[CHATTERING]

You are going to the ice tracks
on Friday night, aren't you?

I don't know.

Don't tell me you have a race that night.

No. Do you have a date yet?

Jake asked me.

-Jake?
-It's one night.

I'm not going to marry him.

Go ahead. Ask Todd.

-No.
-Don't be medieval.

It's okay to ask a guy out on a date.

-I can't.
-LU ANNE: Here he comes.

[IMITATING JAWS THEME]

Cut it out!

TODD: Hey, Erica!

GIRL: Todd, hey.
TODD: Come on.

LU ANNE: Oh, well.
TODD: All right. Come on, now.

Hey, I've got a cousin you can go with.

He's not so bad to look at.

If he takes out all the nose rings.

[GIRL GIGGLES]

I don't want to go with just anybody.
I want to go with somebody I like.

Somebody I could have fun with.

[DOORBELL RINGS]

I have never skated before in my life.

[CHUCKLES] That's okay. Neither have I.

Bye!

So, when are you going
to get your license?

What's the point? I never go anywhere.

Thank you.

[ENGINE STARTS]

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

[ICE TAXI HONKING]

Oh, I am not getting out.

-Oh, come on. It can't be that hard.
-[WHIMPERS]

Get out! Come on, let's have some fun.

Whoa!

Got it? You okay?

Okay. Come here. Come here.

Hey, Erica!

Hey, Todd. This is Randy.

Very nice to meet you.

Aah!

Todd!

-Over here!
-Yeah, okay.

Well, I'll see you.

ERICA: You got it?

[ICE TAXI HONKS]

Hey!

Hey, where's Jake?

He showed up at the house
smelling like beer.

What a moron!

Whoa!

ERICA: Oh!

Are you okay?

[SCREAMS]

[LAUGHING]

-I think we do better on wheels.
-[STAMMERS, LAUGHS]

-[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
-[ENGINE SPUTTERING]

-Good night, guys.
-See you.

So, what do you wanna do now?

Soak my ankles?

[LAUGHS] Besides that.

You want to get a bite to eat?
I am starving.

-[ENGINE SPUTTERS]
-Mmm.

I'm not doing it.

-[SIGHS] Come on. Erica!
-It's your car.

Come on!

Hi, I'm sorry to bother you, but...

Could you do us a favor?

Sure.

Okay. Give it a try.

[ENGINE STARTS]

Thanks, Erica.

You kind of saved our lives.

-GIRL: Yeah.
-No problem.

Look, we're having
a little party back at my house.

-You guys want to come?
-BRANDI: Yeah, come with us.

It'll be fun.

Ah! No, thanks. We got plans.

Okay. Thanks again.

See you.

You know, you could've gone to the party
if you wanted.

I don't mind.

I didn't really want to.

Do you ever think...

Maybe we could do this for real. You know.

You mean like a date?

Wow. Um...

I don't know, I mean...

I don't want to hurt
your feelings or anything, but it'd...

Kind of be like
dating my brother, which...

Which is kind of what you are.

Yeah. It would be weird, wouldn't it?

Thanks.

I had a really great time tonight.

Me, too.

You think you could
set me up with Lu Anne?

-Oh! Get out of here!
-[LAUGHS]

Good night!

Good night.

Monsieur Carter,

Mademoiselle Renfro,

Mademoiselle Ottoman,

Mademoiselle Brook,

Mademoiselle Enders,

Monsieur Garrett,

et Mademoiselle Dunham.

-[BELL RINGS]
-[TEACHER SPEAKS FRENCH]

Hey, Erica, you coming?

-No.
-Okay.

Mr. Crandall?

Oui, Mademoiselle Enders.

[SPEAKS FRENCH]

Can I talk to you
about my progress report?

Certainly. Let's take a look.

Well, up to this point,

you've got a very solid "B" average.

But that's not good enough. I need an "A."

Is there any way I can pull my grade up?

Well, you're really
going to have to work hard.

You're going to have to do
some extra credits.

And you'll definitely
have to get an "A" on the final.

Now, if you can do that,

you probably ought to be able
to bring your grade up.

I'm sorry, Erica. You know the rules.

But it's just a progress report.

But if you get a "B" on your report card,
you can only race here in Houston.

But the last qualifying race
is in Salt Lake City.

If I don't go to that,
then I can't go to the Nationals!

There's always next year.

Daddy, I've already talked to my teacher.

If I get an "A" on my final, I'll be fine.

Well, I hope so,

because we made a deal.

Your mother and I have always
lived up to our end.

We expect you to live up to yours.

Okay. No problem.

[ERICA MUTTERING IN FRENCH]

Talking to yourself, mademoiselle?

Uh... French final. Mucho pressure.

You should be used to that.

Yeah, well, my career could be over
if I don't get an "A" on this final.

You want some help?

[BOTH SPEAKING FRENCH]

[LAUGHS] I can't!

No, no.

Hold on.

[SPEAKING IN FRENCH]

Jealous.

[SPEAKING IN FRENCH]

-Goodbye.
-[TRANSLATING INTO FRENCH]

Sadness.

You're welcome.

-How are you?
-Pretty good, thanks. [LAUGHS]

[SPEAKING IN FRENCH]

[LAUGHING]

Thanks again.

Do you need a ride home?

No, I got my car. Thanks.

Oh. Okay.

Look, uh,
do you want to go out this weekend?

Catch a movie or something?

Oh, I can't. Not this weekend.

Weekend after?

Oh. Uh... I'm busy then, too.

All right. I'll see you later, okay?

-No, wait, Todd...
-Don't worry about it.

I know you're busy. See you.

LU ANNE: Stop the car!

Erica!

It's all covered.

-What's this?
-The French final.

Mr. Crandall gives the same one
all the time.

-My sister had him a couple years ago.
-I don't wanna cheat.

Don't think of it as cheating,
think of it as a study aid.

[SIGHS]

Great, Erica! Come on!

[CROWD CHEERING]

Get it! Get it up!
Keep it up! All the way. Yes!

-Whoo!
-Yes!

[ALL CHEERING]

-We're going to the finals!
-No way!

Great job today, girls!

I want to let you know,
the finals are this Saturday.

[ALL SHRIEKING]

I want you here at 9:00 a.m. sharp.
Don't be late.

Do not tell me you have a race Saturday.

Friday night.
Daddy says if we leave right away

and drive all night,
we'll be there in time.

You better!

[ALL CHEERING]

-Yes!
-[CROWD CHEERING]

[WHOOPING]

[LAUGHS]

Dad, I've gotta get back for my game
tomorrow morning.

How long is this gonna take?

Honey, I'll let you know as soon
as I figure out what's wrong,

and then if we don't need to find a part.

No, but I have to be there...

You've only told us about a million times.

-No, but I have to be there...
-[GRUNTS]

Erica, I'm sorry.
We're doing the best we can.

[TOOL RATCHETING]

[CROWD CHEERING]

[INDISTINCT TALKING]

[BUZZER SOUNDS]

[CROWD CHEERING]

-Hey, Erica.
-Hi!

Thanks a lot, Erica.

-I'm sorry. I...
-We got crushed.

I expected better from you, Erica.

You let the whole team down.

I'm sorry. We had a breakdown,
and it took a while to find the...

Parts.

[RATTLING AND CLANKING]

GREGG: Hey.

What are you doing?

I quit.

Quit what?

Uh, I don't want to race anymore.

Well, it's kind of sudden, isn't it?

You sure this is what you want?

You wanna tell me why?

A lot of things, I guess.

I mean, school,
and I have, like, no friends, and...

All the guys think I'm some kind of freak
because I race cars,

and everything I've been doing lately
I keep messing up,

and my French final's tomorrow,

and for the first time in my life
I almost...

Almost what?

Doesn't matter.

I just don't think it's worth it anymore.

I understand

how you feel.

And it's okay with me
if you don't wanna race.

-I thought you'd be mad if I quit.
-[CHUCKLES]

Surprised, maybe.

I'm not mad.

I think you're a really talented driver.

But your mother and I will back you 100%,

no matter what you choose.

Thanks.

Get some sleep.

-It's a big day tomorrow.
-[CHUCKLES]

Love you.

Love you, too.

Good night.

[SCHOOL BELL RINGS]

GIRL: Todd!

Hey, Todd?

Um, could I talk to you for a minute?

What's up?

Uh, the other day, I wasn't trying
to be rude or anything,

I've just been really busy lately,

but I would like to go out with you
sometime. I really would. I...

If you still want to, I mean.

You sure? I thought you were, uh,
so busy that...

Well, I should have more time
now that I quit racing.

You quit?

Yeah.

That's crazy.

Well, now you sound like everyone else.

Sorry, it's none of my business.

So, I'll call you later, okay?

Okay. Well, I better get going.

French final today.

Hey, Erica.

[SPEAKS FRENCH]

[SPEAKS FRENCH]

I still don't see
why I can't have your car.

My car's not allowed in your age bracket.

Yeah, right.

Hey.

Won't be the same without you.

Just take care of Courtney, okay?

-Okay. See ya.
-Good luck.

[KISSES]

-Bye.
-Bye.

So? What are you gonna do this weekend?

I don't know. What do kids do on weekends?

[CHUCKLES]

[ENGINE REVVING]

-RANDY: Whoo! [LAUGHS]
-Oh!

[SIGHS DEEPLY]

-Yeah!
-Yeah!

-[BOTH CHEERING]
-Yeah!

Hey.

Hi. Hey, how'd you do?

What do you care?

GREGG: Hey, monkey.

Missed ya out there.

[WATER RUNNING]

Hey, what's your problem?

No problem. You quit, I might, too.

Why?

[SPITS]

No fun without you.

Oh. Well, that's stupid.
You're a really talented driver.

So are you.

-Now who's stupid?
-[SIGHS]

It's a lot of things, Courtney.
You wouldn't understand.

You know what I think it is?

I think you're just scared
I'm gonna beat you someday.

[SLAMS DOOR CLOSED]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

[ALL LAUGHING]

[SPEAKS FRENCH]

-Sorry.
-[STUDENTS CONTINUE LAUGHING]

[SQUEALS]

GREGG: I think once we can get
that new software program online,

then we'll edit it.

Changed my mind.

Yes!

ANNOUNCER: And Erica Enders
has a great start from the line.

If she can hold on to this lead,

she could be on her way to Phoenix.

Yes! Whoo-hoo!

ANNOUNCER: Wow. What a finish!

Yes!

ERICA: Dad, what was my time?

Well, why don't you take off your helmet
and listen, honey?

ANNOUNCER: With a time of 8.87,

Erica Enders has qualified
for a trip to the Nationals.

Yes!

MAN: [ON PA]
Top Fuel to the staging lanes,

Top Fuel to the staging lanes.

ERICA: Excuse me, Commissioner Bowen?

Hey, great race, Erica.

Thanks, but, um, well,
I was hoping to make another run,

and I noticed my name wasn't posted.

We had a last-minute scratch,
made for kind of an odd number,

but don't worry. You got your time.

But I'd really like to make another run.
You know, for the practice.

I'm sorry, Erica, there's just
nobody left in your age class.

I'll race her.

-She's too young.
-I've got the same kind of car.

It's against league rules,
isn't it, Commissioner?

Not if it's out of official competition.

She's right, Erica.
As long as your folks don't mind.

They don't.

Okay, Erica, looks like
you got yourself a race.

[SIGHS] Hmm!

ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen,
hang on to your seats.

Talk about sibling rivalry!

We've just been informed

we've got a special,
unexpected out-of-competition race

between Erica and Courtney,
the Enders sisters.

[CROWD CHEERING]

You're in charge, Crew Chief.
Today, I'm just a spectator.

You do realize that no matter who wins,

it's gonna be a long ride home.

ANNOUNCER: And the Enders sisters
are on the lines,

staged and ready to go.

And they're off.

Toodle-oo!

Ugh!

Yes! I got her!

[CROWD CHEERING]

You didn't let me win, did you?

-Yeah, right. I got a bad start.
-You know,

you're too tense, you gotta relax.

You know, take a deep breath.

Works for me.

-Wanna go again?
-Sure.

ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen,
it's a grudge match!

Erica and Courtney Enders
back on the track and ready to go again.

Bye-bye!

Rats!

Yes! All right!

You didn't let me win, did you?

[SCOFFS] Yeah, right!

[CHUCKLES] Oh.

Hey, Courtney?

Hmm.

Thanks. That was good advice,

that little relaxation thing
before the start.

I think it helped.

Yeah. The only time you lose
is when you really, really want to win.

Like with that Jordy clown?

You just gotta relax, that's all.

Night.

Night.

MAN: [ON TV]
Schedule by at least 12 more a game.

Well, fans will be gathering
at the Firebird International Raceway

in Phoenix this weekend.

It's the National Junior Drag Racing
Championships.

One of the more interesting races
this year promises to be with Erica Enders

-in the teenage division.
-[DOORBELL RINGS]

Hi, is Erica here?

Erica's not gonna have any easy time of it
as she goes up against the favorite.

That's Jordy Knowlton, and he's the son

of two-time national Top Fuel runner-up
Rusty Knowlton.

There's a guy named Todd at the door.

[GASPS HAPPILY]

I'll be down in a few minutes.

-Hi.
-Hi.

I, uh, sort of brought you a, uh...

Good luck present.

Oh, I love it. Thank you.

Relax, Dad. Relax.

[HUFFS]

-Wish you were gonna be there.
-I'll be watching Sunday.

I got a bunch of friends coming over
to watch the race on TV.

ERICA: Good.

Um...

Well, I guess I better go.

But I'll see you when you get back?

Yeah, sure.

Good luck.

See ya, Mr. Enders.

[SCOFFS] A teddy bear?

[GAGS]

[POP ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

[LAUGHS]

ANNOUNCER: Hello and welcome, race fans,
to the Junior Dragster Nationals

at Firebird International Raceway
in Phoenix, Arizona.

This weekend, it's the best of the best
going head-to-head for the big trophy

and to find out who is the country's
top junior drag racer.

Come on, Courtney, I'm starving.

Believe me, you're gonna wanna see this.

[GIRLS CHEERING]

-[LAUGHS]
-Wow.

[CHANTING] Erica! Erica! Erica!

-[CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING]
-PHOTOGRAPHER: Over here. One more.

BOWEN: Ladies and gentlemen,
thank you very much.

That's it, we've got a race to run.
Thanks. Thanks for being here.

Erica? Erica, what's it like being
the only girl out there today?

Well, it beats not being out there,
I guess.

Excuse me.

So, you gonna bring the trophy home
this time?

Your father's never won
a national competition.

Does that put any more
pressure on you, Jordy?

Ah, heck, no. My dad, uh... No.

He's never put any pressure on me.

Erica! Erica! How does it feel
to be the only girl out here today?

Do you folks have to keep asking me that?

I'm just a race car driver, that's all,
just like everybody else here.

ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen...
Boy, look at this.

Semifinal action coming up here.
Erica Enders in the semis,

trying to go to the finals.

This is what it's all about.

She's had two perfect starts today.

A win here in the semifinals will set up
a possible final-round meeting,

taking on Jordy Knowlton tomorrow.

GREGG: Rock and roll, monkey.

Stick 'em!

That's it, folks, finish line,
it looks like it's gonna be...

It is! Erica Enders takes the win.

-[CROWD CHEERING]
-That'll put her into the finals tomorrow

to take on Jordy Knowlton
for all the marbles.

Whoo-hoo! 5-0! That's her third
straight line of the day!

We gotta do something about this.

You did it, honey!

You're in the finals!

[GRUNTS IN CELEBRATION]

Come on, Commissioner!

You've known us for a long time.
You know there's no truth to this.

I got the record right here, Enders.

Your daughter's had
a 5-0 light in her last nine races,

and three today.

Nobody gets a dozen perfect starts
in a row. Nobody.

Are you calling my daughter a cheater?

Nobody said her. It's you.

You're the big
computer electronics genius.

You stick a light-sensitive photo cell
in the front of that car,

it reads the tree. That's the only way
you get 12 perfect starts.

I have been practicing those starts
every free minute I had.

-Erica. Let me handle this.
-He's gonna call me a cheater?

-Erica.
-Erica, they filed an official protest.

Now, if it was just Knowlton,
I could ignore it.

But there's a few signatures here.

And according to the rules,
until it's checked out officially,

I'm sorry, you're on hold.

Don't worry about it.

It's gonna be okay.

Randy, make sure they go over
every square inch of this car.

I don't want to give anyone a reason
to say that we're hiding something.

RANDY: You got it.

Hey, watch the paint job, okay?

After a thorough investigation,
very thorough,

there is no evidence to back up
these charges.

The protest is officially dismissed.

You're back in, Erica.

I'll go over your head, Bowen.

If you can find somebody, go ahead.

Nobody gets that many 5-0 starts!

Dad, let's just go.

You got something in that car, Enders.
What is it?

Well, I'll tell you what
I've got in this car.

A teenage girl.

Something else you want here tonight?

Yeah, we'll see who's laughing tomorrow.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

COURTNEY: Erica?

You asleep?

Yeah.

I just wanted you to know that
I know we fight and stuff sometimes,

but you know all the stuff I've got,
like, the medals and trophies and stuff?

Well, I never would have had any of that
if it weren't for you.

I mean, racing was for boys.

And I never would have had
the guts to do what you did.

A lot of girls wouldn't have.

But now, well, it's different.

It's easier for us 'cause of you.

And no matter what happens tomorrow,

I'm still really, really proud
that you're my sister.

Randy?

Hey, Randy.

Sorry. I was up all night.

Doing what?

Making sure those guys
put your car back together right.

When it comes to your car,
I don't trust anyone but me.

So, what's for breakfast?

Breakfast? No, it's time to race.
Let's go.

[SIGHS]

[GRUNTING]

Help!

BOWEN: Ladies and gentlemen,

welcome to junior drag racing's
biggest day of the year.

Shut up, there she is,
there she is, there she is!

BOWEN: It's my pleasure
to introduce to you the finalists

-in the 15 to 17-year-old age division.
-[ALL CHEERING]

-Come on!
-BOWEN: In the left lane, Jordy Knowlton.

[CROWD CHEERING]

And in the right lane, Erica Enders.

[CROWD CHEERING]

Let's get ready to race.

Okay, Jordy,
show this little girl who's boss.

GREGG: Rock and roll, monkey. Stick 'em!

[ENGINES REVVING]

RUSTY: This ain't for little girls.
GREGG: There's a big difference between

wanting something and actually getting it.

COURTNEY: What about Jordy?
ERICA: I still get nightmares

-about that time he beat me.
-RUSTY: You show me a good loser...

MAN: You think that's a good idea,
letting a little girl go?

GREGG: Erica, you red-lighted!
[LAUGHS]

I didn't red light, I didn't red light!

GREGG: Are you okay?

You sure?

[SCOFFS, LAUGHS]

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

Take a deep breath.

Relax.

Relax.

ERICA: All I wanna do is race, Mom.

COLEMAN: When you climbed back
into that car,

that really showed me something.

GREGG: I think you're a really
talented driver.

[ENGINES REVVING]

Yes!
[LAUGHS]

[ALL CHEERING]

GREGG: Whoo!

Oh, yes! Whoo!

I can't believe this.

-Congratulations, Erica.
-Thanks.

You are a terrific driver.

You, too.

I want to race you again someday.

You got it.

See ya.

[CHEERING]

BOWEN: Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me
great pleasure to present to you

our new NHRA National
Junior Drag Racing Champion,

a very special driver, Erica Enders.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

Here to present the championship trophy
is the president of the NHRA,

Tom Compton.

[WHOOPING]

-Courtney!
-Who, me?

Yeah!

Whoo!

Might as well get used to this.
You're next.

-I'm so gonna beat your time.
-Yeah, right!

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]