Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Action Comedy Drama Horror Thriller Sci-Fi Romance Mystery Animation Crime
The Last Race (2018) movie poster

Timeline

The Last Race (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 75 min · Czech
Echo score 60
JustWatch #1,994 28
Directed by
Michael Dweck
Starring
Barbara Cromarty, Bob Finan, Ed Mistretta, Jack Handley Jr., Jim Cromarty, Marty Berger

This documentary explores the history of stock car racing, focusing on the Long Island track that represents the sport’s unlikely birthplace. As the only remaining track of its kind, it faces an uncertain future, threatened by developers eager to capitalize on its valuable location. The film highlights the dedication of the track’s owners and the local community who fight to preserve its legacy and the passion for racing it embodies.

Sport Documentary Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Last Race
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Last Race (2018)

Where can you watch The Last Race? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV and Philo: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

14 events in order · contains spoilers

The Last Race Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Last Race (2018) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Origins of Stock Car Racing

    Stock car racing finds its roots in Long Island, once home to over forty racetracks at its peak. This vibrant culture of grassroots racing became an integral part of local identity and community spirit.

    When
    1949
    Where
    Long Island

  2. Establishment of Riverhead Raceway

    In 1949, Riverhead Raceway opened its doors on the edge of a quiet country road, surrounded by farmlands that depict the simplicity of rural life. It was established as a quarter-mile track, inviting local enthusiasts to embrace the thrill of racing.

    When
    1949
    Where
    Riverhead Raceway, Long Island

  3. Commercial Development Surge

    As the years went by, Long Island underwent a dramatic transformation from farmland to a commercial hub. Shopping malls and retail giants began to replace the once tranquil area, impacting the heritage of places like Riverhead Raceway.

    When
    1980s-1990s
    Where
    Long Island

  4. The Cromarty Acquisition

    In 1977, Barbara and Jim Cromarty took over the management of Riverhead Raceway, determined to preserve the racetrack against the backdrop of lucrative multi-million dollar offers. Their decision marked the beginning of a passionate legacy to keep racing alive.

    When
    1977
    Where
    Riverhead Raceway, Long Island

  5. Value of the Land

    The land where Riverhead Raceway is situated is valued at over ten million dollars, a stark contrast to the meager revenue generated from weekend ticket sales. This highlights the struggle between the love for racing and the pressures of commercial development.

    When
    2020s
    Where
    Riverhead Raceway, Long Island

  6. Survival Against Odds

    Despite the challenges and pressures from developers, the Cromartys continued to operate the racetrack, aware that its closure would mean the end of an era for stock car racing on Long Island. They fought not just for the track, but for the community it represented.

    When
    2020s
    Where
    Riverhead Raceway, Long Island

  7. Community Connection

    Riverhead Raceway evolved into more than a racing venue; it became a community hub where blue-collar workers found camaraderie. The track thrived on local support, fostering a culture around shared passions and the spirit of racing.

    When
    2020s
    Where
    Riverhead Raceway, Long Island

  8. The Race Experience

    The atmosphere at Riverhead Raceway is electric, filled with the sounds of roaring engines and the scent of burnt rubber. Spectators experience the thrill of speed firsthand, immersed in an emotionally charged environment that celebrates American racing heritage.

    When
    2020s
    Where
    Riverhead Raceway, Long Island

  9. Aging Owners and Uncertain Future

    With Barbara and Jim Cromarty now aging and facing health issues, the racetrack's future grew increasingly uncertain. Their potential decision to sell becomes a critical moment that could drastically alter the area’s cultural landscape.

    When
    2020s
    Where
    Riverhead Raceway, Long Island

  10. Threat of Commercialization

    As developers circle around Riverhead Raceway, community members grow concerned about losing their cherished space to commercial structures. There is a collective recognition that the cultural and historical value of the track is at risk of being obliterated.

    When
    2020s
    Where
    Riverhead Raceway, Long Island

  11. Legacy of Blue-Collar Triumph

    The legacy of Riverhead Raceway is intertwined with the identity of blue-collar workers who find pride in their craftsmanship. Each race at the venue is a celebration of hard work and community dedication, values that defy the glossy commercialism surrounding them.

    When
    2020s
    Where
    Riverhead Raceway, Long Island

  12. Imminent Transformation

    The anticipation of bulldozers looms over Riverhead, with whispers of commercial transformation threatening to erase the history of stock car racing. The potential loss of the racetrack represents a larger cultural shift toward homogenization and loss of local heritage.

    When
    2020s
    Where
    Riverhead Raceway, Long Island

  13. Clinging to the Past

    As the community faces the impending changes, a palpable sense of loss and nostalgia hangs in the air. The struggle to maintain the essence of Riverhead Raceway reflects broader themes of resisting the relentless tide of globalization and commercialization.

    When
    2020s
    Where
    Riverhead Raceway, Long Island

  14. The Final Struggle

    The ongoing battle to keep Riverhead Raceway open symbolizes a larger fight against cultural erosion. As bulldozers threaten, the owners and local racers cling fiercely to their passion and dreams, embodying the resilience of grassroots American identity.

    When
    2020s
    Where
    Riverhead Raceway, Long Island

Last updated: October 25, 2024 at 08:31

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

The Last Race Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Last Race (2018): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why is Riverhead Raceway significant to stock car racing history?

Riverhead Raceway is the last remaining stock car racetrack on Long Island, which was once home to over forty tracks at the sport's peak in 1949. The quarter-mile track represents the final stronghold of grassroots stock car racing in the area, preserving a cultural heritage that dates back to the post-WWII era when amateur racing emerged from dirt ovals on Long Island farmland.

  • riverhead raceway
  • stock car racing
  • long island
  • last track
  • racing history
Q2

Why do the Cromartys refuse to sell Riverhead Raceway to developers?

Barbara and Jim Cromarty have refused multiple multi-million dollar offers because they view Riverhead Raceway as more than a business, it's the final stronghold of stock car racing on Long Island. They understand that selling would mean the end of an era and the loss of a community institution that represents decades of blue-collar racing culture and local identity.

  • barbara cromarty
  • jim cromarty
  • riverhead raceway
  • developers
  • refuse sell
Q3

How did the area around Riverhead Raceway change over time?

Long Island transformed dramatically from tranquil farmland with mom-and-pop farm stands into a landscape of shopping malls and corporate retail outlets. Riverhead Raceway, originally situated on a quiet country road surrounded by fields, now stands as the last piece of untouched land amid commercial development along Old Country Road, with the humble road having expanded into a bustling highway.

  • long island development
  • farmland
  • shopping malls
  • riverhead raceway location
  • old country road
Q4

Why is the land under Riverhead Raceway worth so much more than the track generates?

The land where Riverhead Raceway sits is valued at over ten million dollars due to its location amid highly commercialized Long Island. However, revenue from weekend ticket sales, hot dogs, and T-shirts barely sustains operations, creating an economic paradox where the track defies typical capitalist principles by surviving on passion rather than profit.

  • land value
  • ten million dollars
  • revenue
  • riverhead raceway finances
  • commercial development
Q5

What makes the racing culture at Riverhead Raceway different from professional motorsports?

Riverhead Raceway embodies grassroots racing culture where blue-collar mechanics craft racing machines from salvaged parts found in junkyards, emphasizing craftsmanship over corporate technology. The track serves as a community hub where working-class racers and fans find belonging, with identities deeply tied to the land where their skills can overshadow white-collar success.

  • blue-collar
  • racing culture
  • grassroots
  • community
  • junkyard parts
Q6

What threat do developers pose to Riverhead Raceway's future?

Commercial developers are circling with lucrative offers as the Cromartys age and face health issues, threatening to replace the track with retail structures. The potential closure represents a larger cultural shift where heritage loses to homogenization, with the track's footprint becoming another cookie-cutter commercial strip.

  • developers
  • bullozers
  • closure threat
  • commercialization
  • riverhead raceway future
Q7

Does the documentary show what happens to Riverhead Raceway?

The documentary documents the Cromartys' final struggle to preserve the track as bulldozers loom closer, portraying a bittersweet ending that celebrates the community's passion while acknowledging the likely outcome of loss. The film captures their last stand against inevitable development, focusing on resistance rather than resolution.

  • documentary ending
  • bulldozers
  • final struggle
  • preservation
  • outcome
Q8

Why is Long Island considered the birthplace of American stock car racing?

Long Island was the birthplace of American stock car racing, boasting over forty racetracks at its peak in the late 1940s and 1950s. Riverhead Raceway, established in 1949, represents the last surviving evidence of this early racing culture that emerged from local communities passionate about speed and competition.

  • birthplace stock car racing
  • long island
  • american racing
  • history
  • 1949
Q9

How do the aging Cromartys affect the track's future?

As Barbara and Jim Cromarty age and face declining health, the future of Riverhead Raceway becomes increasingly uncertain. Their potential decision to stop fighting developers represents a critical moment that could permanently alter the area's cultural landscape, as they are the primary stewards keeping the racing legacy alive.

  • barbara cromarty
  • jim cromarty
  • aging
  • health
  • future ownership
Q10

What contrast does the film make between Riverhead Raceway and surrounding development?

The film contrasts Riverhead Raceway, born from community passion rather than boardroom decisions, with the surrounding box stores and corporate retail that replaced farmland. This juxtaposition highlights the tension between authentic blue-collar heritage and the homogenizing commercialism threatening to erase it.

  • grassroots racing
  • corporate
  • development
  • box stores
  • heritage vs commerce

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Last Race, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Last Race tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

End of an Era Documentaries like The Last Race

Stories that chronicle the bittersweet disappearance of a community's cultural touchstone. Discover movies like The Last Race that explore the poignant theme of cultural preservation. These documentaries follow communities battling to save their heritage from economic pressures, offering a melancholic and nostalgic look at disappearing traditions and places.

  • nostalgic
  • poignant
  • melancholic
  • reflective
  • tribal
  • anxious
  • Tone: melancholic, poignant, reflective
  • Pacing: slow, immersive
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows a linear, straightforward structure, chronicling the history and significance of a cultural institution while building toward a present-day conflict with outside forces like commercial development. The emotional journey is one of appreciation for the past and present, mixed with a growing sense of loss, often culminating in a bittersweet or uncertain conclusion.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on their shared focus on cultural preservation, their melancholic and reflective tone, and their immersive, slow-paced approach to documenting a community's struggle against change. They evoke similar feelings of nostalgia and poignant loss.

Bye Bye Africa movie poster

Bye Bye Africa

1999
The Last Race movie poster

The Last Race

2018
Let It Be movie poster

Let It Be

1970
Nostalgia for the Light movie poster

Nostalgia for the Light

2011
The End of Summer movie poster

The End of Summer

1962
The End of Summer movie poster

The End of Summer

2013
The Edge of the World movie poster

The Edge of the World

1937
The End of the Day movie poster

The End of the Day

1939

Atmospheric Place Portraits like The Last Race

Immersive films where the setting itself is a central, deeply felt character. If you liked the immersive, visceral energy of The Last Race, you'll enjoy these atmospheric place portraits. These films use a slow pace and rich sensory details to make a specific location the central character, often telling stories of community, change, and memory.

  • visceral
  • raw
  • immersive
  • reflective
  • atmospheric
  • nostalgic
  • Tone: reflective, visceral, raw
  • Pacing: slow, deliberate, atmospheric
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative is often secondary to the atmospheric immersion. The plot may serve as a vehicle to explore the nuances and history of a place, frequently through the eyes of those who inhabit it. Conflict arises from threats to the place's existence or identity, driving a reflective and often bittersweet emotional arc.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared commitment to creating a powerful, almost tangible sense of location. They prioritize mood and atmosphere over complex plotting, using slow pacing and sensory detail to evoke a specific feeling of being in a unique place, making them feel cohesive in their immersive quality.

A Place in the World movie poster

A Place in the World

1992
General Orders No. 9 movie poster

General Orders No. 9

2011
The Wind Will Carry Us movie poster

The Wind Will Carry Us

2000
La Pointe Courte movie poster

La Pointe Courte

1955
Tale of Cinema movie poster

Tale of Cinema

2005
Romancing in Thin Air movie poster

Romancing in Thin Air

2012
Final Portrait movie poster

Final Portrait

2018
Introduction movie poster

Introduction

2022

If you liked this

Movies Like The Last Race

Similar movies to The Last Race: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries
The Last Rider movie poster

The Last Rider

2023
Last Ride movie poster

Last Ride

2012
Racing Dreams movie poster

Racing Dreams

2010
The Last Out movie poster

The Last Out

2022
The Last Mountain movie poster

The Last Mountain

2011
The Last American Hero movie poster

The Last American Hero

1973
The Racers movie poster

The Racers

1955
The Last Horsemen of New York movie poster

The Last Horsemen of New York

2018
Born Racer movie poster

Born Racer

2018
The Last Hurrah movie poster

The Last Hurrah

1958
NASCAR: The Ride of Their Lives movie poster

NASCAR: The Ride of Their Lives

2008
Super Speedway movie poster

Super Speedway

1997

Every angle

The Last Race (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Last Race in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app