In 1964, seven-year old, Milo, sporting leg braces due to his genetic bone disease, witnesses the tragic end of his father’s street racing career, leaving his family scarred and penniless.  Ten years later, Milo, now valedictorian with a full-ride scholarship to a university across the country, returns to his unfulfilling trailer park life.  His mother is a grief-stricken alcoholic and his stepfather, abusive.

A brutal confrontation propels Milo to discover and rebuild his father's mangled Ford Galaxie with the help of Gravedigger, the local junkyard mechanic, and his high-spirited daughter, Jasmine.

Jasmine introduces Milo to an underground street racing circuit known as The Gauntlet, which is his ticket out.  After learning Gravedigger’s secret and betrayal, Milo hands over the keys and walks away.  Jasmine, captivated by the Galaxie and the prospect of The Gauntlet, ditches her wedding to drag Milo on a cross-country journey, racing for tanks of gas during the energy crisis of the 70’s.  

Together, they face heart-pounding races, stolen fuel, a distraught fiancé, and a treacherous thirty-car mountain rally as they explore loss, overcoming disability, and the unexpected consequences of the pursuit of youthful freedom.