As the racers moved to the starting line, Francesco caught up with Lightning and Sally.
“Francesco!” Lightning greeted him. “I’d like you to meet Sally.”
“Signorina Sally,” Francesco said, and bowed, enoying the introduction. “It is official. Lightning McQueen is the luckiest car in the world—which he will have to be to have a chance against Francesco today.”
Francesco noticed a sticker on Lightning’s rear bumper and asked, “What is that?”
Francesco got closer. “‘Ka-ciao, Francesco,’” he said, reading the bumper sticker. “I get it. Ciao. Ka-ciao. Is your cute little thing you say. Very clever. Not as clever as Francesco when he say it first.”
As Lightning and Sally turned to leave, Sally said, “Okay, so he’s not that great.”
Lightning just smiled.
As the racers pulled into position, Finn and Holley were getting ready to leave. They heard the sound of engines zooming through the desert as they headed toward their jet.
“You’re leaving already?” Mater asked them.
“We’ve got another mission,” Finn told him. “Just stopped by to pick something up on the way.”
Holley and Finn were now partners. They wanted Mater to join them.
“Her Majesty asked for you personally, Mater,” Finn said, holding out one last hope.
Mater grinned. He wasn’t a stupid tow truck after all. He was so dang smart that they wanted him to work with them as a bona fide, honest-to-goodness secret agent.
“Well, thanks,” he said, meaning it. “But as much fun as it was with y’all, this is where I belong.” He was glad everyone thought he was smart, but he was even happier to be with his friends.
“We understand,” Finn replied. “Although if there’s ever anything I can do for you, just let me know.”
Mater paused, but not for more than a second. “Actually, there is one thing,” he said, grinning.
Moments later, Mater was zooming past every race car on the course. “Woo-hoo!” he hollered when he caught up to Lightning.
“Mater?” Lightning shouted in surprise.
“Check it out!” Mater yelled back, grinning. “They let me keep the rockets!”
The two hometown favorites—and best buddies—laughed out loud as they raced side by side toward the finish line.