[Verse 1] Desert sun never touched my face Old van rollin’, I’m out of place Once a champion in a broken dream Now the engine roars, and hope starts to gleam [Pre‑chorus] Ruben calls, from the shadows past Joshua young, with a spear so fast The track’s still hummin’, I can feel its sting A song for the dream that lost its wings [Chorus] When the lights go out, my foot hits the floor Needle’s climbing, I’m hungry for more Back to the racetrack, rising from the flame Checkered flag redemption, that’s my name [Verse 2] Chains of debt, scars of time gone by Stick to me like smoke in the sky But the voice of the engine keeps calling my soul Saying, “Boy, you still got one last roll” [Bridge – Dark blues interlude] Sliding guitar moans, heavy drums pound Ghosts of my past in the tire smoke swirl ‘round Dark blues sinking deep into my veins But I grip that wheel, through the hurt and the chains [Chorus] When the lights go out... (repeat) Checkered flag redemption... (repeat) [Outro – Country rock fade] The end of the line ain’t written by loss But by the courage to carry the cross Sonny Hayes rides back, a legend once gone— Now breaking the asphalt, with the flag he’s won.
