The story is set in the immediate aftermath of World War I, beginning in July 1919. The protagonist, Charlie Swattle, is a veteran and possible deserter characterized as a "laid-back" grifter. To compete in the inaugural Intercontinental Motorcycle Race, Swattle reunites a crew of fellow veterans who, while fond of him, do not trust his word. During his preparations, Swattle encounters Grace Wolf, who outmaneuvers him to gain legal ownership of his racing machine, the Moonbeam Special. This forced partnership requires Swattle to transport both Grace and her young son, Wesley, as he travels toward the event.
Swattle enters the racing circuit by swindling his way into the official competition. His primary machinery is the Moonbeam Special, a motorcycle that becomes the central focus of his professional and personal disputes. The entry into the First Intercontinental Motorcycle Race marks his transition from a small-time crook to a high-stakes competitor, with the race officially scheduled to commence on July 4, 1919.
The 1919 racing season depicted in the film is defined by a cross-country road race structure. Swattle’s campaign is marked by persistent deception; he lies frequently, while his partner Grace also obscures the truth. The competitive field includes "cutthroat" rivals and corporate interference. Specifically, the owner of a rival motorcycle company attempts to manipulate the race outcome by offering Swattle a substantial bribe to ensure his own team's victory. Swattle is forced to navigate these political and financial pressures while managing the technical demands of the Moonbeam Special.
The primary incident of the narrative is the First Intercontinental Motorcycle Race itself. Swattle faces numerous "dangers of the road" and aggressive tactics from competitors such as "Cannonball" McCall and Calvin Hawk. The race serves as a moral crossroads for Swattle, forcing a choice between remaining a "big-time crook" by accepting bribes or pursuing a legitimate win. According to film journalist Frank J. Avella, this journey toward redemption forms the "heart" of the story, as Swattle balances his identity as a deserter and grifter against the requirements of the competition.
The film’s depiction of early 20th-century racing has been noted for its predictable character arcs and structure, though critics like Peter Hanson observed that the narrative remains "lively" due to colorful dialogue. Dillon Gonzales of Geek Vibes Nation described the film as a "shaggy dog" story that balances interpersonal drama with "motorcycle exploits." While the film had a limited initial drive-in release starting May 4, 1979, it later gained a following through television broadcasts and international releases in Sweden, Finland, and Portugal.
The production of the film involved several figures prominent in the motorsport film genre. It was originally written as a vehicle for Steve McQueen. David Carradine’s performance as Swattle has been compared to his work in the film Americana. The production was filmed in Oklahoma during July and August 1977, notably completed before the film Deathsport but released after it.
Formal recognition of the film's historical and technical aspects occurred in 2022, when it was remastered for DVD and Blu-ray by Kino Lorber. This release included a 2K master of the theatrical trailer and an audio commentary provided by film historian Eddy Von Mueller, documenting the production's place in the era of New World Pictures.