An annual tradition, the Penn Relays, begun in 1895, are the largest track-and-field meet in the world. More than 15,000 young people compete from throughout North America, and crowds as large as 50,000 attend the finals. The Penn Relays made relay races famous. The Relays are a pivotal event in Penn Webb’s life—his great-grandfather ran in the races, he’s named in their honor, and he wants to earn a spot in the race so his great-granddad can see a family member compete there. Crash gifts Penn the chance to do so by letting the boy win the tryout. Penn Webb gets the fourth, or anchor, position on Springfield Middle School’s team, and in one lap he pulls them from last place to second, the best result the school has ever had. Crash’s self-sacrifice breaks the years-long divide between them, and they become best friends. Thus, the Penn Relays become the stage on which Crash reshapes his personality.

Stroke is a term in medicine that describes what happens when an artery in the brain gets clogged or ruptures and a portion of the brain is starved of oxygen. Scooter’s stroke is a rupture, and following his stroke, he is no longer able to walk or talk.