Danny Krueger is a skilled but arrogant street racer who often clashes with his mother and stepfather, who disapprove of his dangerous hobby. During a race, Danny's car flips over and he is arrested for reckless driving. In order to avoid jail time, Danny's mother sends him to live with his absentee father Frank, who is now an alcoholic living in a small town.
Danny soon discovers that Frank was once a successful NASCAR racer, but lost everything due to his alcoholism. Initially unwilling to help Danny with his racing ambitions, Frank eventually agrees to mentor him when Danny decides to compete in the NHRA High School Drags. However, the local hot shot racer Jake Kendall is also competing and has a personal vendetta against Frank.
As Danny trains and races, he also develops a relationship with a local girl, Jessica. Meanwhile, tensions rise between Danny and Jake, leading to a dangerous and intense final race. Ultimately, Danny must learn to balance his passion for racing with the importance of family and responsibility.