Fascinated by the automobiles that are beginning to dot the roads of the early twentieth century, twelve-year-old Indiana farm boy Herschel Gulley is thrust into the "head-of-household" role when his young, but ailing father passes. Herschel would always remember his father's parting words: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." Responsible for the well-being of his pregnant mother, two younger brothers, and two younger sisters, he takes on the responsibilities of running the family's subsistence-size farm. All the while he develops the mechanical and driving skills that eventually make him a nationally-recognized dirt-track driver and take him and his best friend, mechanic, and partner, Johnny Gleason-a black man-to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But to achieve their mutual goal of running (and maybe even winning) at the 500, they must circumnavigate the racial barriers that prevent blacks-or a white man with a black partner-from participating. These obstacles seem insurmountable in a state where the governor and half the general assembly are said to be members of the Ku Klux Klan.