
What would have happened if Lightning won the dirt road race against Doc and earned his freedom?
One of the explicitly stated rules of the race was “no lollygagging” which is EXACTLY what Doc proceeded to do after Lightning crashed into the ravine. What would have happened if Sheriff (who I’m assuming is the judge since he made all the rules) told Doc “sorry, you broke one of the rules by staying behind to taunt Lightning rather than see the race through. He wins by technicality”?
Would Doc have kept his word and let Lightning go, or do you think that whole “you win, you go free” idea was all a sham because he didn’t think Lightning ever had a chance to win under any circumstances anyway?
If he did keep his word and let Lightning go, how do you think Lightnings career would have panned out? He certainly wouldn’t have any of the knowledge he learned from his time in Radiator Springs. His single mindedness towards winning almost certainly would have led to burnout.