and continues driving for Jones. Together with his team's other driver, Happy Lee (Steve Brodie), they make headlines with their success. Billy gets arrested for speeding after he has too much to drink. Red bails him out, and contrary to Red's advice, Billy goes on to race that same night. When the left rear wheel in Happy's car breaks, Billy tries desperately to catch up to Happy and alert him but instead crashes into Happy's car after the wheel comes off. The car skids to a stop in Billy's path. Happy's car is smashed through the wall, rupturing the gas tank and the car bursts into flames. Despite Billy's frantic efforts to save him, Happy dies in the blaze. After the race, the other drivers avoid Billy, convinced Billy made good his tyro promise to "...drive over them" and he is fired from Jones's garage. Billy decides to move "back east, where the big cars and the big money are." Billy stays in contact with Louise, and starts fresh as a race car driver. In his absence, his mother and Red get married. On the day of the next Indianapolis 500 race, Mary, Red and Louise turn out to support Billy. He drives one of Red's cars and leads, but on the final lap Billy drives through flaming gasoline from a wreck which causes Billy's engine to catch fire. Battling the smoke, Billy finishes the race, taking third place, leaping from the car just before it explodes. Billy is bitterly disappointed not to have won, especially since without a winning purse Red can't afford to race again. To Billy's delight, in a show of great sportsmanship, the winner insists officials give the trophy to Billy for his bravery. Cast Mickey Rooney as Billy Coy Thomas Mitchell as Arthur 'Red' Stanley Mary Hatcher as Louise Riley Michael O'Shea as Vic Sullivan Spring Byington as Mary Coy Hattie McDaniel as Minnie (as Hattie McDaniels) Steve Brodie as Happy Lee Lina Romay as Dolores Raymond Allen Jenkins as George Richard Lane as Reno Riley (as Dick Lane) Eddie Kane as Head Waiter Charles Irwin as Drunk Kippee Valez as Carla Denver Pyle as Doctor George Fisher as Announcer Jackson King as Announcer (as Jack Colin) Production Rooney returned from the war and made four films for MGM. He wanted to enter independent production and MGM agreed provided he promise to make five films