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.