The Fast Lane | Lightning McQueen (Humanised AU)

↠ 1. The Arrogant Rookie

A//N: I'm well aware his actual name is Montgomery McQueen, but I refuse to simp for someone who's nickname would be Monty. And yes, I made him younger than he was in the film. He was 27 or 28 according to the Cars Wiki. And yes, I know he's loosely based on a Corvette. But I love Camaro's more. Get outta here if you're just gonna come for my throat

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The racing scene was never easy to break into. The cost of sponsorships, the cars, the registration for races... and yet rookie Lightning McQueen was soaring through the ranks thanks to a sponsorship from Rust-eze. Winning qualifying races left and right, he looked set to win the championship race and the coveted Piston Cup.

Of course, beating The King, Strip Weathers, and Chick Hicks would be no small task. The current reigning champion and the underdog of the NASCAR world.

Completely confident in his racing ability, McQueen's cocky attitude had enraptured his fans and entertained the paparazzi for the entire season. It seemed as though he had the entire stadium chanting his name.

The man himself, two weeks past his twenty-fourth birthday, was sitting in his trailer, going through his pre-race routine. His beloved race car was unhooked and ready to be unloaded with the crowd watching.

Rookie Luke McQueen was sat at the small desk beside his bed in the trailer, a balled fist resting against his temple, eyes screwed shut. Past races flitted past his closed eyelids, racing circles in his mind. He whispered the familiar phrases like a mantra.

"Speed... I am speed. I am lightning."

Clearing his mind of all worries and apprehensiveness, Luke took on his persona of Lightning McQueen. Star-studded rookie with a face born for the cameras.

His little ritual was soon interrupted by the heavy knocking from Mack, his transport driver and good friend.

"Hey Lightning, you ready?" The familiar voice of Mack helped to calm Luke's rising nerves, but the question for Lightning steeled his mind and his stomach for the coming race.

In response to the question, Luke quickly gathered together his thoughts and checked his appearance in the mirror one last time. Lightning McQueen was ready to show the world what he's got.

Sliding into the driver's seat of his stock V8 race car, Luke did a brief pre-race check before starting it up. The Chevrolet Camaro roared to life, causing a ruckus outside his trailer.

Within seconds, Mack was lowering the trailer's back door, and the world got its first glimpse of Lightning McQueen before the Daytona 400 began.

Flashing lights momentarily blinded the rookie as the paparazzi scrambled to get the best shot. Security kept them at bay as he unloaded from the trailer, smiling eagerly for the hoards of people all fighting in vain for his attention.

Mac dismissed himself to lock up the trailer and refuel while Luke showed off for the paparazzi, revving his car's engine. Distant thunderous applause came from the stands, clearly approving of the loud V8 exhaust.

Luke could barely hear himself think as questions were thrown at him left and right. Everyone wanted to know more about the rookie who rose to fame in a single racing season.

Wearing his usual cocky grin, he leaned against his driver's side window and answered question after question, winking at the female reporters as he did so. He could only chuckle when they swooned and flirted back.

"Make sure to get my good side. Everyone loves the lightning bolt." Luke cheekily pointed out to the crowd of paparazzi, turning his race car just slightly so the bright lights would catch the reflective lightning bolt sticker on the left fender.