"Hey! Back off! This is a private area!" a security guard barked angrily when he saw a reporter and their cameraman trying to record the replay screenings the officials were going through. Baring his teeth, the German shepherd and others of his security detail chased off the pair. No one was getting a first peek.

"Oh boy, you were amazing out there tonight Captain. Whatever happens, you made us proud" Snowball's sponsor remarked as the rabbit pulled up. Hopping out of his race car, he took off his helmet and replied, "Thank you, it's the least I could do for you all after all these years." Just then, he felt someone hugging his leg. Looking down he found his niece. "You're a winner in my eyes Uncle Snowball," Molly stated, twitching her long ears. Patting the little rabbit on the head, Snowball smiled and answered, "Couldn't have done it without you sweetheart."

"God I love being me," Max murmured to himself, hearing the fans cheering his name. Lounging back on the hood of his car, the Jack Russell terrier was surrounded by a large audience, all of whom came to see him. The animals were reaching out, trying to get a touch of his car or his boots. The security was having a hard time holding them back and Max's pit crew was having a harder time trying to work on the car. The terrier was not helping one little bit as he was posing for pictures. A deep scowl on his face, the lead pit crew member growled, "Hey, can you and your paparazzi move so we can do our job?"

"And ruin a perfectly good photo shoot? Nah," Max responded curtly, stretching his arms before folding them back behind his head. Raising one eyebrow, the Jack Russell terrier asked, "Hey, can you move Chuck? You're in the way of the cameras." His face growing red, the lead pit crew member threw down his wrench in anger as he shouted, "My name is not Chuck! But you know what Mr. Hotshot? It doesn't matter, cuz I QUIT!" He stormed off, followed by the rest of the pit crew. Shocked, Max waved them off and reassured his fans, "Don't worry, they'll be back."

"Hey look boys, looks like the rookie fired his whole team," a familiar British accented voice sneered. Max rolled his eyes to the sky. He knew that voice. It meant trouble. Turning around, the Jack Russell terrier found himself face to face with Ozone, the Sphynx cat driver from England. Carrying his helmet under his arm, the feline remarked, "Not only are you the absolute worst driver I have ever seen, you are the dumbest one I have ever met."

"Wow, really? That's so touching to hear that from the slowest driver. Is that why you've never won the Piston Cup before?" Max retaliated with his snarky comeback. His face flushing red, Ozone was about to stomp over to the dog when Snowball arrived on the scene. "Woah now boys, calm down. It's just a race, no big deal," the rabbit reminded everyone as he stood between the two drivers. Huffing, Ozone stalked off. Twitching his ear, Snowball turned to Max and stated, "He is right though. You're stupid."

"Excuse me?" Max questioned, dumbfounded by this. Crossing his arms over his chest, Snowball explained, "You're a pretty bold driver, I'll give you that much. But you're stupid, risky. Dangerous even. It's good to take some risks, don't get me wrong. But risks have the potential of getting someone killed. You need to wise up, get yourself a good team and keep your head in the game, not up in the clouds. You feel me?"

"Huh? Oh, yes! Yes, I gotcha! Oh look, they're about to announce the winner!" Max exclaimed, having completely ignored everything the rabbit had told him. He wandered off towards the stage everyone was gathering around. Shaking his head with a small chuckle, Snowball followed with a smile. Max would learn one day, he was sure of it.