Original subtitles

Speeding down the track.

The car pulls out in front.

What's Erica going to do?

She's got to hit the gas.

And look.

Oh, Erica wins.

Okay,

race is over. I've got to go.

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

Oh, come on now. Be good.

Now, come on.

Daddy's got to run. Come on.

Jump. Oh, that's my girl.

In real life, we say, baby.

Yeah. I can beat you.

Cannot. Can't you?

Oh, yeah?

Race you to the mailbox.

And next up in lane two, Greg Henders.

Lane one.

That's very good.

Thank you, ma 'am. It's a four -link dragster. 1 ,000 horsepower, a 235 -inch

wheelbase, weighs 1 ,700 pounds, and can go up to 180 miles per hour.

about 60.

Absolutely not. Honey. I'll have a fire suit.

And a five -point harness.

You're right.

Give it a rest, please. I do not like to be ganged up on.

I have to.

It's dangerous.

Ow!

Please, Mom, please.

Please, oh, please.

Just get ready for bed.

Come on.

Thanks a lot, Courtney.

Being that big of a witch.

No.

It just scares me, Greg.

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

The playground's more dangerous. Greg. 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 killed playing a violin?

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

What?

Welcome, folks, to the first ever NHRA Junior Drag Racing event.

After nearly 50 years of organized drag racing, kids ages 8 to 16 will finally

have the opportunity to drive real dragsters down the same drag strip as

professionals.

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

Mark! 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.

I'm going to win, Dad. And in lane two, Eric Enders.

Excuse me, it's Erica Enders.

The girl?

Yes.

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

Correction there, folks.

In lane two, Erica Enders.

Dad, girl.

What if I get beaten by a girl?

You'll be fine.

Just do your best.

Have a good race, Don.

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.

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.

know all this. Stop rolling your eyes and listen.

Courtney.

You know, moving up to this age group, it's going to be a lot more work. I

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.

Annie sees, 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.

in Texas.

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

today's big final. But keep in mind, they go at pretty fast speeds.

And some of these drivers don't even have driver's license.

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

finalists. In lane one, it'll be Erica Enders. The man taking the lane two

position, Jordy Knowlton.

You race fans may recognize Jordy's crew chief, and his daddy, Utah's top fuel

national... runner -up Rusty Nolte. That little girl of yours isn't going to cry

when Majority beats her butt now, is she?

And this is it!

Come on, go shake hands.

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 him not. You're going to go over there and shake his hand.

Come on.

Come on.

Congratulations. Good race.

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.

Not yet.

Come on, let me try.

Later. Oh, please, please, please, please, please. Okay, okay, here.

Thank you.

517.

No, you didn't.

It took me almost an hour to get 535.

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 going to be like this every time you lose? Because I'm not going to put

up with it. It's just a race.

I know.

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

And that Geordie 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... 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 anyplace else.

And... Come on, honey.

Sometimes... 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.

until I get to drive one of these.

You got a couple of years.

When I get mine, we can race.

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?

Because 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

little kid. It's a no -win situation for me.

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. You do.

Courtney, do me a big favor.

What? Get out of my car.

Reposé.

Reposé. Fatigué.

Fatigué. Content.

Content. Triste. Triste.

Agité. Agité.

Tranquille. Tranquille.

Furieux. Furieux.

Rationnel.

Content? Welcome back, race fans, to Texas Raceway in Dallas, Texas.

Whatever.

Why do you waste your time putting on makeup like that when all you're going

do is put on a helmet and nobody even knows?

So what?

Hi, Erica.

Jerry Trammell. I interviewed you for National Dragster Magazine.

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

Actually, I'm here to talk to your sister.

Try not to mess up your hair.

Courtney, hi. Okay. A couple questions for you.

Of

course

I'm happy for her. I mean, she's my sister, and I love her. It's just

It drives me crazy sometimes.

Well, don't let her.

I can't help it.

And it sounds 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 start to

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 race.

I think I'm 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.

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

I gotta have one. before you can wreck it.

I'm going to 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.

Because they're just getting their learner's permit and you've been racing

dragsters since you were eight?

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.

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.

Things you do, she's back on, too.

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

Besides, they're just jealous.

Why? They're the popular ones.

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

If you get winded or anything, take a break.

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, just step on the gas, too.

Ever drive a dragster?

The g -forces are so intense, it slams you into the seat. You can't breathe,

literally, because of the pressure on your lungs. Makes it kind of hard to

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.

Very good, Erica.

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

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 I've beaten, and they've all

got sponsors because they're boys. That's the only reason.

It's not fair.

I'm sorry, Dad. I mean, I know it's a lot of money. You let me worry about

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?

How'd it go? 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

the boys.

Just give it time, honey.

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

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.

Now, come around.

Thanks for trying, Daddy.

Are you hurt? Yeah.

I'm fine.

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

Are you sure?

Uh -huh. Yeah.

All right. Let's get back to practice. Okay.

Here. You should see a doctor.

I'm fine.

Listen, you can't even lift your arm.

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

off.

Okay, okay.

Ridiculous thoughts.

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? What do you think?

It's too much for her, Greg.

She's got to cut back on the race.

She'll never make the Nationals if she does that. I don't care about the

Nationals, Greg.

I'm worried about her.

You're pushing her too hard.

Honey, the only one pushing Erica is Erica.

You help Greg, 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 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.

It's just that she's going through something. 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 going to stand in their

way.

Welcome to today's time trial.

These young drivers will be racing against the clock and trying to keep

being eliminated.

Those with the best times go on to race another day, so every bell a second

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!

Take it a little easy out there today? Ah, never.

What is he doing here? He just made the cover of Junior Dragster for the third

straight month.

Yeah, who else? What do you want to bet I get him in the time trial tomorrow?

And at this time, he's not going to know what hit him.

Not a good idea to take this stuff personally.

Can't help it.

I still get nightmares about the time he beat me.

What do you think of the competition so far?

Not much.

But, uh...

I figure I might be meeting one of these guys down here for a national. So I

ought to check things out.

Guys! Do you hear that? Guys!

And up next in today's guide road...

Monkey, relax.

This is a time trial.

Good night, honey.

Yes! You beat his time.

We're coming to get you.

Can't stop.

Hey, Jordy.

Mr. Norton.

Those are for your son in case he starts crying when I whoop him in the final.

It

was

just a joke. No, it wasn't, Erica.

For the first time in your life, you embarrass 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 Nolans.

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.

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.

New Jersey State champion Jordy Knowlton. Take it on the Southwestern

Erica Ender.

Now this is not the first meeting between these two. It tells me it won't

last.

The end is left before the lights turn green, which will disqualify her.

And which makes today's winner, Jordy Knowlton!

Yes! All right!

I blew it. You'll get him next time.

Nous conduisons.

Tu conduis. Tu conduis.

May I?

Sorry.

Merci. Merci.

All right, let's start again.

Pro Stock's 16 qualifiers this year is the closest ever with only 300

the field of 16 cars.

Number one qualifier at 678. Hey, would you set the torque wrench to 150 and

hand it to me?

Greg. Greg Anderson.

Who is that, Daddy?

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

well, I might be able to persuade them.

The sponsor.

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'll

tell you what. On a purely business level, I think Eric has got a good

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. You bet. Thanks again.

Not a word to your sister.

She puts enough pressure on herself.

Tell me about it.

Pretty cool.

Rock and roll, monkey!

You got it!

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

Just hang on I'll be right there

Erica? It's me, honey. It's Daddy.

Daddy?

They're going to be all right.

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

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

it was dangerous, and what I let her do it.

Remember saying that?

I do.

Janet, wait. 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. Andrews?

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. Thank you.

You okay?

Yeah, I'm okay.

Are you?

I'm fine.

I just want to get back to the track.

Is 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?

Oh, yeah.

Why? We 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

I'll be really scared.

Please, Mom.

Please.

You go get ready.

So, I figured out what color I want.

Cherry red.

What are you talking about?

Well, I'm going to be moving into your car division soon, so I'll need a new

car.

You're kind of rushing things, aren't you, honey?

Um, 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

one. Baked beans? That's not fair.

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?

Something different.

I love you.

Come in.

Good evening.

Mr. Coleman, sit down.

Boy,

that is some Texas rain.

Of course, you'll be featured in our advertising, and we will underwrite a

portion of your operation here.

So, what do you say, Erica?

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?

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 climbed back into that car after what happened today, well,

that really showed me something.

So how about it?

One condition.

You have to sponsor my sister, too.

The both of you.

You know what? Why not?

Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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.

I have to try.

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

What are you doing?

It's time to race.

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

Why?

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.

Hi. Hi.

You 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.

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 here and step on again.

Yes, sir.

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

Once or twice.

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?

Check out.

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. Here he comes.

Cut it out.

Hey, Erica.

Hi. Come on.

Oh, well. Come on now.

Hey, I've got a cousin he could go with.

He's not the best look yet.

If he takes all the nose rings.

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

Somebody I could have fun with.

I have never skated before in my life.

That's okay. Neither have I.

Bye!

So when are you going to get your license?

What's the point? I never go anywhere.

not getting out.

Oh, come on. It can't be that hard.

Get out. Come on. Let's have some fun.

You got it, right? You okay?

Okay, come here. Come here. Come here.

There we go.

Thank God. This is Randy.

Hey, nice to meet you.

Todd,

over here. Yeah, okay.

I'll see you.

You got it?

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

Really?

I'm not doing it.

It's your car.

Erica!

Hi, I'm sorry to bother you, but... Can you do us a favor?

Give it a try.

Thanks, Erica.

You kind of saved our lives.

Yeah. No problem.

Look, we're having a little party back at my house. You guys want to come?

come with us.

It'll be fun.

No, thanks. We got plans.

Okay. Thanks again.

You know, you could have 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. I don't know. I mean, I don't want to hurt your feelings or anything,

but it's...

Kind of be like dating my brother, 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 can set me up at the ranch?

Oh, get out of here!

Good night.

Night.

Mademoiselle Renfort, Mademoiselle Alterman, Mademoiselle Brooke,

Mademoiselle Enders, Monsieur Guerra, et Mademoiselle Dunham.

D 'accord?

Mr. Crandall?

Oui, mademoiselle Ender.

Je vous trai... Should 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

an A on the final. Now, if you can do that, you'll probably 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.

No problem.

Talk to yourself, mademoiselle?

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 the spinal.

You want some help?

La pomme.

La pomme.

Le stylo. Le stylo. Le stylo.

Le stylo. Le stylo.

Le crayon.

No, no.

L 'or -crayon. L 'or -crayon? Crayon?

Lumière.

Lumière. Jealous?

Jalouse. Goodbye.

Au revoir.

You're welcome.

How are you?

Pretty good, thanks.

Les yeux.

L 'oreille.

Le nez.

Amor. Bien, bien, bien.

Thanks again.

Do you need a ride home?

No, I got my car, thanks.

Oh, okay.

Look, do you want to go out this weekend, catch a movie or something?

Oh, I can't, not this weekend.

Weekend after.

Oh, 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.

Stop the car!

Erica!

It's all covered.

What's this? The French final. Mr. Kendall gives the same one all the time.

sister had him a couple years ago. I don't want to cheat. Don't think of it

cheating. Think of it as a study aid.

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.

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

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.

Hey. What are you doing?

I quit.

Quit what?

I don't want to race anymore.

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

You sure this is what you want?

You want to tell me why?

A lot of things, like at 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 want to race.

I thought you'd be mad if I quit.

Surprise, 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.

Can I talk to you for a minute?

What's up?

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.

If you still want to, I mean.

You sure? I thought you were so busy that... Well, I should have more time

that I quit racing.

You quit?

Yeah.

That's crazy.

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.

Bonne chance.

Merci beaucoup.

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

My car's not allowed in your age bracket.

Yeah, right.

Hey.

It won't be the same without you.

Just take care of Courtney, okay?

Okay. See ya. Good luck.

What are you going to do this weekend?

I don't know.

What do kids do on weekends?

What do you care?

Hey, monkey.

Missed you out there.

Hey, what's your problem?

No problem. You quit, I might too.

Why?

No fun without you.

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

So are you.

That was stupid.

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 going to beat you someday.

think once we can get that new software program online, demo it.

Listen, honey.

With a time of 8 .87, Erica Andrews has qualified for a Drix in the National.

Yes!

Top fuel to the staging lanes. Top fuel to the staging lanes. 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 stretch, 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.

unexpected, out -of -competition race between Erica and Courtney, the Ender

Sisters.

You're in charge, crew chief.

Today, I've got the spectator.

You realize that no matter who wins, it's going to be a long ride.

did you? Yeah, right. I got a bad start. No, you're too tense.

You gotta relax. You know, take a deep breath.

Works for me.

Wanna go again?

Sure.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's a grudge match.

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

Yeah, right!

Hey,

Colby.

Thanks.

That was good advice, that little relaxation thing before the start.

I think it helped.

You know...

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

Like with that Geordie clown, you just got to relax. That's all.

will be gathering at the Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix this

It's the National Junior Drag Racing Championships.

And one of the more interesting races this year promises to be with Erica

in the Teenage Division.

Hi, is Erica here? Erica's not going to have any easy time of it if she goes up

against a 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?

I'll be down in a few minutes.

Hi. I sort of brought you a good luck present.

Oh, I love it. Thank you.

Relax, Dad.

Relax.

Wish you were going to be there. I'll be watching Sunday.

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

Good.

I guess I better go, but see you when you get back?

Yeah, sure.

Good luck.

See you, Miss Sanders.

A teddy bear?

Well, at least not being out there again.

Excuse me.

You're going to bring the trophy home this time. Your father's never won a

national competition. Does that put any more pressure on you, Jordan? Heck no.

My dad, uh... No, never put any pressure on me.

Oh, 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.

Ladies and gentlemen, look at this. Semifinal action coming up here. Erica

Enders in the semis trying to go to the final.

This is what it's all about. She's had two perfect starts today.

The winner in the semifinal is going to set up a possible final round meeting to

take on Jordy Knowlton tomorrow.

Rock and roll, monkey.

Stick them.

It looks like it's going to be. It is. Erica Enders makes the win.

That'll put her into the finals tomorrow to take on Jordy Knowlton for all the

marbles. That's the third great lap of the day.

We're going to do something about this.

You did it, honey.

You're in the finals.

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've been practicing

starts every free minute I have. Erica, let me handle this. He's going to 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.

every square inch of this car. I don't want to give anyone a reason to say that

we're hiding something.

You got it.

Hey, watch the paint job, okay?

Thorough investigation.

Very thorough.

There's 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.

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.

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 because 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?

Now, it's time to race. Let's go.

Between once, I'm actually getting it.

I still get nightmares about that time we meet again. You show me a good movie,

that's a good idea, letting a little girl go.

Eric, you reminded!

I didn't remind, I didn't remind!

Are you okay?

You sure?

All I want to do is race, Mom. When you climbed back into that car, that really

showed me something. I think you're a really talented driver.

Congratulations, Erica.

Thanks. You are a terrific driver.

You too.

I want to race you again someday.

You got it.

See ya.

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.