Mickey Arnold is a loving husband and a good friend to Ticker Welsh. However, when Mickey finds out that Ticker has seduced his wife, their friendship collapses. Now, the two are in a battle of wits, and Mickey can only win his wife back by getting first place in the annual Bible-Belt Race-a-Thon.—Lee Matthews

In Atlanta's "Dixie 400," racer Ticker Welsh competes against his former partner Mickey Arnold. The sullen Ticker blames Mickey for the death of his fiancee, Edna, three months earlier, and intends to revenge himself during the race. Ticker's new girl friend, the widowed Karen Hallett, attempts to dissuade him, as does Mickey's wife, Lily, but Ticker is obdurate. Mickey discloses Edna's infidelity the night of the auto accident, further enraging his old friend.