Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise) doesn't know much about stock-car racing, but he's growing into the job, with a series of wins under his belt soon after just beginning. Almost killed in a racing accident, his convalescence in the hospital is lightened somewhat by a beautiful doctor (Nicole Kidman). After returning to the track, however, Trickle seems to have lost his nerve and must steel his resolve to become a champion once more.