Life in the Fast Lane
Episode KH221
Original Air Date: 5/3/98

Bobby gets his first job and finds himself at the mercy of a tyrannical boss; Boomhauer participates in an amateur race car competition.

In the outskirts of Arlen, Boomhauer races his souped-up Dodge Coronet against a similar sports car. Boomhauer wins, but the driver of the other vehicle turns out to be a police officer. The cop tells Boomhauer about an amateur race at the speedway that weekend. The winner of the competition gets to drive the pace car when NASCAR comes to town. Later, Bobby interrupts his father and asks for a check for $175 so he can purchase a new bicycle. Hank realizes his son has no concept of the value of a dollar, and concludes it is time for Bobby to get a job. Shortly thereafter, Bobby accompanies his father and Boomhauer to the Arlen Speedway. There, Hank strikes up a conversation with a soda boy named Tommy. Impressed by the boy's "can-do" attitude, and hoping it will rub off on his son, Hank sets about getting Bobby an interview with Tommy's boss, Jimmy Whichard. The moment Bobby is hired, Tommy hands his drink tray to Bobby, hops a fence, and runs away.

Bobby finds that life in the speedway stands is an arduous one. He also discovers that Whichard is a crazed taskmaster. Meanwhile, Hank, Dale and Bill run through some pit crew drills with Boomhauer, hoping to increase their speed. When Bobby returns home from the track, he announces his decision to quit his job, describing Whichard's cruel stupidity. But Hank gives his son a pep talk, reminding him to give a hundred and ten percent. When Bobby returns to work, he tells Whichard he will be the best employee he has ever had. Whichard responds by promoting the boy as his "go-to guy." Shortly thereafter, Boomhauer's big race gets under way. Hank, Dale and Bill cheer him on from the sidelines. Boomhauer pulls into the pit and the three men spring into action. Unfortunately, Bill pays too much attention to a smudge on the vehicle's rear window and climbs into the back seat. Boomhauer pulls onto the track where he is easily lapped by the other cars. Boomhauer places fourth, but Hank reminds his friend he is only three accidents away from driving the pace car. Meanwhile, Whichard forces Bobby to don a hot dog suit. The drunken crowd pelts him mercilessly with trash.

As the NASCAR race gets under way, one amateur driver after another loses control of the pace car. Meanwhile, Dale warns Hank that Jimmy Whichard is a moron. Shortly thereafter, a thirsty Whichard calls to Bobby, who is selling sodas in the infield from across the track. Whichard instructs Bobby to run across the busy track and bring him the drink. Horrified, Hank races over and pulls his son back over the guard rail. When Hank realizes Whichard put Bobby's life in jeopardy, he runs across the track and confronts him. But Hank is unable to clear a fence that separates himself from Whichard. Suddenly, Whichard is pelted with sodas and hot dogs. It turns out that many of his former exploited child workers are sitting in the stands. Meanwhile, another accident gives Boomhauer his big chance. But once on the track, Boomhauer slows down until his car is even with the racer driven by Jeff Gordon. Gordon cannot resist temptation, and races Boomhauer down the track. Though Gordon wins the race, he is automatically disqualified for passing the pace car. Driver Dale Earnhardt takes home the trophy. Later, Hank apologizes to Bobby for ignoring what he said about Whichard.