Just as Cannonball was gaining momentum, the 1973 oil crisis brought it to a screeching halt. Gas lines snaked around city blocks, and suddenly, high-speed protest felt out of step with the national mood. But Yates wasn’t done. By 1975, his rebellious road race was back—this time aimed squarely at the newly imposed 55 mph speed limit. This episode explores how the Cannonball evolved from an insider stunt to a full cultural protest, and how a fateful meeting with Hollywood stuntman Hal Needham would soon take it from the highway to the big screen.

This series was created and produced by Mallory Keenoy.

Executive Producer: Tom Keenoy.

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