Hot Rods and Racing Cars #36

"Blacktop" depicts a high-speed racing competition at Indianapolis where driver Sam Hanks maintains a strong lead until Paul Russo's newly supercharged V-8 takes over the fastest position on the track. Despite Russo's special modifications giving him confidence in victory, Sam Hanks ultimately crosses the finish line first with a new record speed of 131.601 mph, earning the $108,844 prize purse. The second story follows Andy Carruba, a young mechanic who installs a new racing cam and dual ignition in his car and challenges a competitor to a trial race on an abandoned military reservation road, where he takes the early lead before mechanical issues threaten his performance during the high-speed run.