It's 1960 and young Californian Fireman, Craig Breedlove, is bored. He's a hot-rod enthusiast with a need for speed. When he reads about the world record speed attempts that are to take place at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, he immediately quits his job and sets himself an impossible goal - to drive the fastest car on Earth. With little money and no formal engineering education, he begs his Dad for the cash to buy a scrapped jet engine. His Dad lets him use his backyard garage and with a group of friends, they set about achieve the impossible. Craig designed and built the world's fastest jet powered land vehicle, Spirit of America. Reaching top speeds of over 500 mph, Craig Breedlove dances with death as he becomes the fastest man on wheels.