There is more to winning than finishing first.
Todd Lynn (16) is aimless and discontent. He steals cars and perfects his bad boy image in an attempt to mask the pain in his life. His recently divorced mother barely has time to make ends meet. She is desperate for a fresh start and impulsively moves the family from their native Chicago to small town Auburn, California. Todd hates it. It's Hicksville. The house is a dump and worst of all they are living next to the town freaks, a brother and sister who build and race speedway bikes.    Speedway motorcycle racing is a mix of guts, nerve and skill. Of all the native racers there is one true legend: Sam Leigh (50), who runs the local track. When he raced, he couldn't be beat. For him Speedway is a way of life. But times are changing; the young champions of today would rather cheat to win than respect the sport's true spirit. Dishearted, Sam is about to give up when Todd is forced into his life.    Todd is mesmerized by the sport's danger and seduced by the glory of being a champion. He demands to race, an idea that Sam scoffs at. But Todd persists, and when Sam reluctantly agrees to train him, he finds that Todd has something special. The two form a tenuous and sometimes painful bond. They push each other to maintain their honor and face their fears, both on and off the track.    Together they must learn that there is more to winning than finishing first.