Bo Hollinger and Harley McKay race their customized 1957 Chevrolet on their way to compete in the National Drag Racing Championships in California. A policeman sees them speed by and gives chase, but Bo engages the car's nitrous-oxide boosters and easily out distances the cop. He then drives behind a billboard and hides until the cruiser goes past and then drives in the other direction. Later, they stop off at a roadside diner, where Bo flirts with Junell, a young waitress. As the boys await their order, Junell spills food on a man sitting at the counter. When the man grabs her arm and demands to know what she is going to do about his ruined shirt, Bo punches him in the face. The owner throws Bo and Harley out and fires Junell, who asks the boys for a ride. Once in the back seat, Junell changes out of her uniform and throws it out of the window. Later, Harley pulls over to adjust the carburetor. Wanting to test it, he drives off, leaving Junell and Bo in the woods where they discover an abandoned factory. As they explore, Junell predicts Bo will lose the race because he lacks the right attitude, but he claims to be the best driver ever and kisses Junell. Meanwhile, Harley drives to a small town drive-in restaurant where he sweet-talks Betty, a school cheerleader, into sitting in his car. This causes Tom, her boyfriend to challenge Harley to a drag race, which Harley easily wins with the help of his nitrous-oxide boosters. Accusing Harley of cheating, Tom and his friend Peter, along with other boys, beat Harley and steal his money. Betty takes Harley back to Bo and Junell, who insist they go get their cash back. The four return to the drive-in only to realize they are outnumbered. Junell tells the boys to sit tight while she and Betty speak to Tom. Instead of using reason, Junell pulls out a pistol and robs Tom. Leaving Betty behind, Junell, Harley and Bo drive off with half the high school chasing them. The Chevy only goes a few blocks before crashing into a police car. The police officer, Sergeant Wittaker, orders the boys out of their car, but Junell jumps out and pokes Wittaker in the chest. When he pushes her back, Bo punches Wittaker and the trio speed off with Tom and his boys still in hot pursuit. Spotting a roadblock ahead, Bo drives off the road and through a field as the police open fire. Later, they stop to let Junell go to the bathroom. Seconds later, they hear a gunshot, and find Junell with her revolver drawn, saying she saw a snake. Harley hugs her, takes her pistol and surreptitiously drops it to the ground. They make camp for the night, and, the next morning, Junell retrieves the gun and hides it in her suitcase. Convinced the police are long gone, they drive toward the state line only to find Sergeant Wittaker still waiting for them. The policeman shoots out their windows as they race past him, and gives chase until his car tire blows out. Although he receives a radio dispatch to stand down, Wittaker changes his tire and crosses the state line. That night, Tom and his boys drive past the motel where Harley, Bo and Junell are staying. Realizing Bo and Junell want to be alone, Harley decides to fix the car window. Outside, a lady mistakes Harley for the handyman and asks him to "fix her sink." He follows her to her cabin, but when he does not achieve an erection, Harley explains he has only made love in a car. The woman drags him back to the Chevy and they have sex. The next morning, Harley wakes up to discover his wallet is missing. Later, as Bo and Harley shop for groceries, Harley remembers his wallet is in his boot. Meanwhile, Junell tries to convince the storeowner to sponsor Bo’s racecar. When that fails, she pulls her gun and demands all the money in the cash register. Bo grabs her and the three run out. As Bo drives away, he throws Junell’s gun out the window. Later, Wittaker sees police cars in front of the store and stops. The local sheriff tells him he has received orders for Wittaker’s captain to return home, but Wittaker continues to search for the Chevy. Meanwhile, Tom stops at a gun shop where his friend Peter buys a shotgun. The two other boys protest and Tom orders them out of his car. With Peter loading shells into the gun, Tom continues the hunt. At dusk, the Chevy pulls up to an abandoned farmhouse. While Junell runs inside, Harley asks Bo if he still wants to race in the Nationals. Although Bo insists nothing has changed, Harley is not convinced. Bo then finds Junell dressed in old clothes she found in a trunk and tells her that her behavior is jeopardizing his dream of becoming a racecar driver. She also has dreams, and although she loves Bo, she is unwilling to change her behavior to suit him. Bo walks outside to find Harley has removed the car’s license plates, filed off the engine number and thrown out their racing trophies. Harley insists they ditch the car to avoid the police. When Bo argues that Harley should have consulted him first, Harley blames Junell for the police being after them. Bo defends Junell’s honor by pummeling Harley. When Junell's attempt to break up the fight fails, she runs off. She reaches the road and sees Tom’s car approaching, then runs back to warn her two companions. As Tom drives up to the old farmhouse, Peter leans out the window and fires the shotgun, but somehow misses. Bo, Harley and Junell run into the house. Still thinking they have Junell’s gun, Peter explains it is too dangerous to charge the house and suggests they wreck the Chevy instead. As Peter and Tom get out of their car, Bo, Harley and Junell jump into it and drive off. Realizing Tom and Peter will be after them in the Chevy, they pull off the road and turn off the headlights. Seconds later, Tom and Peter drive past them in the Chevy. Tom soon runs into a police roadblock, where Wittaker opens fire, killing Tom. When Wittaker realizes he killed the wrong boy, he has a mental breakdown. The next day, after abandoning Tom’s car in the woods, Junell declares she has changed her mind about going to California. Instead, she flags down a car going to Miami, Florida. As Bo and Harley walk down the highway, Harley has a new idea for a fuel system he wants to try on their next car.