Through a crisis, young Kevin Johnson discovers his worth, the bliss of love, and the heartache of knowing that his parents’ marriage is shaky. And while they try to work things out, he has to summer in rural Wisconsin with grandparents he barely knows. But his world expands as he and his grandfather restore an antique race car like the one his dishonored great-grandfather drove in the 1927 Indianapolis 500. Grandpa believes the finished product might somehow redeem the old racer and mend their broken family. From the get-go Kevin’s character is tested, and not just by the beautiful pianist next door.

In this third novel of the series, Kevin Johnson’s professional football player friend Andy Baldacci proposes forming a racing team and having Kevin drive a full-size, high-powered late model stock car. That doesn’t worry his more than girlfriend Desiree Chantelle, though. No matter what her man drives, she’ll make it handle. She isn’t just a gifted pianist. She is a mathematical genius with a natural grasp of mechanical physics. Kevin’s parents, knowing that Andy has Kevin’s best interests at heart, sign an ironclad contract. Not only are they really smart doctors, they had a lawyer look the deal over. So, other than crashing and burning, what could possibly go wrong? A cute little driver that looks too much like Kevin’s old girlfriend and a blond hustler named Candy, that’s what.