The Piston Cup Racing Series (renamed as the Hudson Hornet Piston Cup series in 2010) is an American auto racing series championship in (most of the time) of stock cars. From 2016 to the present day, high-tech next-gen racers started dominating the circuit
It started in the late 1940s with dirt track circuits, and from 1960s to the present day, consists of asphalt racing.
The Piston Cup was founded in 1948. Races were originally held on the dirt tracks, the only popular racers from that era are Lee Weathers, Ya Chung Fie and Slide Powers.
In the 1950s seasons, the cars were production vehicles with no modifications allowed. The term stock car implied that the vehicles racing were unmodified street cars. In 1951, Hudson Hornet started racing and won in 1951, 1952 and 1953 season. He achieved thirteen victories in 1951, twenty-seven victories in 1952, and twenty-two victories in 1953 and sixteen victories in 1954.[1] In one of those seasons, Louise Nash started racing, being the first and only one woman to race in the time of the 1950s. She won three races in a row in her first season against Hudson Hornet. Because of discrimination, she had to steal her racing number to get her first chance on the track. But Louise's fearless driving style soon won her the respect of every car she raced.
In a race in one of those seasons on the Thomasville Speedway, Hornet was pushed against the wall by Leroy Heming. But with quick thinking, Hudson performed a flip maneuver over him and crossed the finish line.
Hudson's crash.
In 1954, on a race on Fireball Beach Course, Hudson Hornet lost control while powersliding and rolled several times, receiving serious damage, and after that, he was hospitalized. His injuries rendered him unable to compete for the rest of the season. Hudson Hornet made a healthy recovery, however he was forced to retire. At the end of the 1954 Season, Lee Weathers won his first Piston Cup championship. In 1955 Doc was replaced by James Buzz. In 1958, Ned Carrett was a rookie. In the end, Lee Petty wins his 2nd championship. At the end of the 1950's, Strip Weathers debuted to be the first Gen 2 racer in 1959 replacing Lee Weathers for Dinoco.
1960s-1970's seasons
In 1960s, dirt tracks became asphalt tracks. In that era, Ned Carrett won the Piston Cup in 1961. Strip Weathers won his first championship in 1964. Bobby Carllison became a rookie racer replacing Dave Topspin in 1965. Bobby Carsac was a rookie in 1966 replacing James Buzz for Corrosion Seal. Mario Andretti debuted in 1967 replacing Ned Carrett for Budwiser, but he didn't had any Piston Cup championships.
In the 1970's, Bobby Carlison won the championship in 1970. Strip Weathers later won his second Piston Cup championship in 1971. In 1974, Mario was replaced by Darrell Cartrip. In 1975, Strip Weathers won his third championship. In 1977, Chick Hicks was a rookie and killed Bobby Carsac in the Calledega 500. Sammy Smelter was also a rookie by that time. Kraig Shiftright had the championship. In 1978, the Gen 3 car was introduced and Bill Racelott became the first racer of the Gen 3 era. At the end, Kraig Shiftright won his second and final championship. In 1979, Dale Earnhardt debuded, but at the end of the season, Bill Brady wis the Cup.
1980's-early 2000s seasons
In 1980's debuted racers are Claude Scruggs in 1980, Alloy Wilson in 1981, Greg Locke in 1984 and James Cleanair in 1985. In that era, Strip Weathers.wins his forth Championship in 1980. Dale Earnhardt won 2 Piston Cups in 1984 and 1986. Then, Strip Weathers wins his fith Piston Cup in 1987. 1988 is also the worst year of the Piston Cup. Luckly, during the 1988 season, safty track rules are in place after Tom Landis died in the Pocono 400, and Alex Quint and Don Chapcar died in the Daniel 400. And so, Dale Carrett replaced Alex Quint for Quality Care in the Michigan 400 to be the first Gen 4 racer. At the end of the season, Bill Racelott wins the Piston Cup. At the end of the 80's, Murray Clutchburn won the championship in 1989
In the 1990s, were rookies Gerald Leadfoot in 1992 and Bobby Carbonte in 1993. Klint Shiftright won 2 Piston Cups in 1990, 1991. In the 1992 Season, Davey Carlison had a fatal crash in the Pocono 400. In the N2O Cola 400, Davey was replaced by Brush Curber. In the final race, Jeff Gorvette debut for Corrosion Seal after Ivan Yoder's fatal crash in the Richmond 400. Haul Inngas won the championship. In 1993, Klint Shiftright won his final Piston Cup. Later in the 1994 Season, Greg Locke died in the BnL 400. Greg was later replaced by Jeff Burton in the Vitoline 350. Murray Clutchburn wins his second championship. Strip Weathers also won once in 1996. Jeff Gorvette won three times in 1995, 1997 and 1998. In the 1997 Season, Kevin Phillips had a career ending crash in the Calladega 500 and was replaced by Manny Flywheel in the Boston 350. In 1999, Pinke Pie and Spike the Dragon were anouncing there retirement. Dale Carrett won the championship and sung "I'm Me" after the season is over. Tony Gaswart won rookie of the year by that time.
Later in the 2000's, it was anounced that Strip Weathers would retired in the middle of the decaide. The 2000 Season were rookies included Matt Carseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Gerald Leadfoot wins the Cup. In the 2001 Season, Dale Earnhardt died in the Nightdona 500 and was replaced by Kevin Carvick in the Las Vegas 400. At the end of the year, Jeff Gorvette won his final championship. Strip Weathers than won his final championship in 2002. In 2004, Gerald Leadfoot won his final championship.
2005 season
Lightning McQueen, Strip Weathers, and Chick Hicks
The 2005 season saw seven-time Piston Cup champion Strip Weathers, constant runner-up Chick Hicks, and popular new rookie Lightning McQueen, who's first win came at Glen Ellen, which was his debut race after Gerald Leadfoot's fatal crash in the Nightdona 500. The final race of the season, called the Dinoco 400, was held at the Motor Speedway of the South. The three leading racers all had a score of 5013 points, meaning whichever of the three placed first would take home the Piston Cup and the coveted Dinoco sponsorship.
Towards the start of the race, a large incident was caused by Chick Hicks with the intention of separating himself from the gaining McQueen. The accident involved every racer except for Weathers, Hicks, and McQueen, as the latter skillfully managed to make his way through the crash without taking any damage. The other racers received damage, however, such as Chuck Armstrong, who was taken out of the race by a tow truck.
The first three-way tie in Piston Cup history.
Subsequently, Lightning McQueen arrogantly refused pit stops, which allowed him to gain an entire lap advantage on the other racers, which continued into the final lap of the race. However, as McQueen rounded the final turn, his tires blew out, leaving him crawling to the finish line. The other racers caught up to him, and McQueen, Hicks, and Weathers all crossed the finish line at the same time, making it the first three-way tie in Piston Cup history. A tie-breaker race between the three was set to be held at the Los Angeles International Speedway.
However, during Lightning's journey there, he fell out of his trailer and ended up in the small town of Radiator Springs, where he accidentally ripped up the road and was sentenced to community service. Once Lightning served his time, he was taken to the race, where he found it difficult to concentrate due to missing the friends he made while there. However, Lightning was joyful when he discovered that Hudson and the other townspeople had come to serve as his pit crew.
McQueen assists Weathers to the finish line.
Lightning, who had learned new abilities from his friends, utilized them during the race, which allowed him to hold up well against his two competitors, eventually taking the lead. Hicks, frustrated with constantly placing behind Weathers, performed a pit maneuver on him, causing the seven-time champion to spin out of control and take heavy damage. McQueen, noticing similarities between Weathers' and Hudson's accidents, stopped just before the finish line and reversed up to Weathers, and helped him to the finish line, believing the old-timer should finish his last race. Despite being the victor, Hicks was booed for his actions, while McQueen was congratulated for his good sportsmanship.
2006-2015 seasons
Hudson Hornet Piston Cup trophy
In 2006, Lightning McQueen won his first Piston Cup as seen in Cars: The Video Game. He also won other two Cups in 2007 and 2009. After Doc Hudson's death in 2009, the Piston Cup was renamed Hudson Hornet Piston Cup for one year, as a tribute. McQueen captured his fourth Piston Cup in 2010 and the veteran racer became a 4 time Piston Cup champion. In 2011, 2013 and 2015, Lightning won another three Piston Cups and he became a 7 time Piston Cup winner and also the oldest racer, since others retired between those years. Also, Brad Keselowcar won the championship in 2012 and 2014. Also during the 2015 season, Brick Yardley won twice.
At the Dinoco 400 at Copper Canyon Speedway, McQueen was in the lead with Bobby second and Cal third, but suddenly all three were beaten by the rookie Jackson Storm, who was the one of several next-generation cars, they've had faster engines and aerodynamic bodies. Storm also won the next races at the Motor Speedway of the South, Grandol Oil Co. Raceway, BnL Raceway, and Rustbelt Raceway. After the last one, Cal Weathers retired from the sport by the tip of his uncle, many other veteran racers have left the sport too, the companies were firing them in favor of the new generation.
At the race at Los Angeles International Speedway, the grid consisted of mostly of high-tech rookies. After the race's start, McQueen started to overtake others and even catch Storm on last laps. When they both came in to pit, McQueen's pit stop was faster than Storm's, and Lightning took the lead. Jackson quickly caught up with Lightning and took the lead after insulting McQueen for being too old. Following the Storm's words, McQueen start slowing down and was overtaken by Daniel Swervez and Chase Racelott, losing two positions.
McQueen then tried to catch Storm and the others, but his right-rear tire blew out, his overworked engine failed, lost control, hit the wall, and was sent into a roll, getting serious injuries. The race was delayed and Lightning was hospitalized, while Storm proceeded to win the race and become the 2016 Piston Cup champion.
2017 season
Lightning McQueen and Jackson Storm
Four months later, McQueen was practicing and getting into shape to beat Storm at the Florida 500 on the Florida International Super Speedway alongside his personal trainer Cruz Ramirez, former Doc's crew chief Smokey and several Piston Cup veterans. Lightning missed all qualification sessions, and because of this, he would start dead last. At the race Smokey replaced Mater as the team's crew chief. After the race's start, McQueen quickly began overtaking others and made steady progress through the ranks.
In the middle of the race, the new owner of Rust-eze, Sterling, said to Cruz that she should train racers instead of watching the race. Lightning heard that on the team radio and remembered that Cruz dreamed to be a racer. McQueen forgot about the race and did not notice a big accident in front of him. After that he got out of it and continued the race.
When all racers were called back to the pits, McQueen rejected the pit stop and said, that Cruz Ramirez should come back. He asked Guido to change her tires, Fillmore to refuel and Ramone to repaint her. After that, he had a surprised Cruz take his place. Smokey deided, that Lightning should become her crew chief and gave him a headphones. Using tactics she learned while practicing with Lightning, Ramirez was able to overcome other racers, and even caught up with Jackson Storm. He attempted to distract her from winning, same as with Lightning and when she also began to slow down same as him, Lightning cheered her up so she caught Storm again. Being angry, he pushed her against the wall when she tried to pass him, but Cruz performed a flip over Storm, as Doc Hudson done in the 1950s, and won the race.
Officially, Cruz won the race with McQueen, because they both used number 95. After the race, Tex Dinoco asked her to join his team, that was sill seeking the new driver after Cal's retirement, and bought Rust-eze. McQueen decided to pull out from racing to mentor her, getting a new paint job, designed in honor of Hudson Hornet, while Ramirez, also the next generation racer from now, chose number 51, also paying him tribute. With McQueen as the mentor Cruz continued to win races for the rest of the season and even won the 2017 season Piston Cup.
Races
Old Piston Cup logo.
The Piston Cup races are big events sponsored by lots of trademarks and covered by the Racing Sports Network (RSN), which creates live televised broadcasts, in addition to providing other media coverage. Modern races take place at huge racing stadiums, which traditionally have oval-shaped tracks, although the shape may slightly vary from track to track, such as at the Los Angeles International Speedway.
A Piston Cup championship consists of various races where the competitors earn points in relation to their placement in the final rankings of the event. At the end of the season, the car with the most points wins the championship and receives a Piston Cup trophy.
Races can vary from seven to 500 laps. Each competitor has a team of pitties, a crew chief and a hauler, which are sponsored, and may help the racer by giving advice via headsets, and by providing fuel and tire changes during pit stops.
In Raily Race comics Hudson Hornet was show as Hudson's accident after its he ends his racing carier. It was show that crash caused by his rival, Sammy, that sideswiped him out, and Doc hit racer with number 57, somersaulted and landed on wheels, while Sammy won that race and became a champion.
In the DS version of Cars 2: The Video Game McQueen was competing in "Hudson Hornet Memorial Cup" alongside three unnamed racer, looking similar to him. Lightning won the championship.
Acoording to some comics Lightning McQueen was originally sponsored by Smell Swell and started racing in 2004, meanwhile in the films this has
McQueen in his early racing days with Racer #7
never been mentioned. And in some other comics they say that McQueen's first race in the 2005 season was in the Bowling Lake, while according to Cars 3 it was in Glen Elyn.
Trivia
The Piston Cup is based on the real world NASCAR Cup series, known as the Winston Cup series from 1971 to 2003. In 2004, however, NASCAR severed relations with Winston and the award became the Nextel Cup, quickly changing to the Sprint Cup after Sprint bought out Nextel. Incidentally, the Hudson Hornet competed in the Grand National era of 1950 to 1970. Title sponsorship with Sprint ended after 2016, merging with Monster Energy to create a new title, the "Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series", starting in 2017. Before 1950, in 1949 there was "Strictly stock".
In real life, contemporary NASCAR vehicles would not be able to compete against vehicles of the Grand National era. This is because modern NASCAR vehicles are spec, racing-built sedans with sophisticated racing technology whereas Grand National era cars are modified production cars. Today's NASCAR sedans would greatly outperform the stock cars of the Grand National era. Also, NASCAR safety technology has dramatically evolved since the Grand National era and thus drivers of such vehicles would be at a greater safety risk than those driving today's NASCAR sedans.
Logos
1954-2005
2005-2010, 2013-2016
2010-2012
2016-present
Notes and references
↑These statistics can be found in descriptions of Hudson's racing history at Cars Land in California.
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