"Cannonball" is a 1976 action-comedy film directed by Paul Bartel and produced by Roger Corman. The film features a star-studded cast including David Carradine, Bill McKinney, Veronica Hamel, Gerrit Graham, and Robert Carradine.
The plot of the film centers around an illegal cross-country car race called the Trans-America Grand Prix. The race starts in Los Angeles and ends in New York City, with the winner taking home a $100,000 purse. Coy "Cannonball" Buckman, played by David Carradine, enters the race driving a red Pontiac Firebird. Buckman is a former stock car driver who has been banished from the sport due to his reckless driving.
The other racers in the competition are a colorful bunch of characters from all around the world. Cade Redman, played by Bill McKinney, is Buckman's main competition and also his former rival in the stock car racing circuit. The two men have a long-standing feud, which comes to a head during the race.
Along the way, Buckman and the other racers face numerous challenges, including car crashes, police chases, and encounters with dangerous criminals. The racers must use all their skills and wits to stay ahead of the competition and finish the race.
Despite the danger and obstacles they face, the racers all share a love for speed and the thrill of the race. As Buckman puts it, "It ain't about the money, it's about the ride."
"Cannonball" is a fast-paced and exciting film that captures the spirit of the 1970s muscle car era. With its high-speed chases and colorful characters, the film has become a cult classic among car enthusiasts and action movie fans.