Miracle in Lane 2

Miracle in Lane 2, is a 2000 Disney Channel Original Movie starring Frankie Muniz, Rick Rossovich, Molly Hagan, and Patrick Levis.

Miracle in Lane 2
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Written byJoel Kauffmann
Donald C. Yost
Directed byGreg Beeman
StarringFrankie Muniz
Rick Rossovich
Molly Hagan
Patrick Levis
Roger Aaron Brown
Tuc Watkins
Theme music composerPhil Marshall
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersGreg Beeman
Christopher Morgan
CinematographyWilliam Wages
EditorTerry Stokes
Running time120 minutes
Release
Original networkDisney Channel
Original releaseMay 13, 2000 (2000-05-13)

Plot

The film is based on the life of Justin Yoder (portrayed by Muniz), who was the first person with a disability to compete in the All American Soapbox Derby.

Born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, 12-year-old Justin Yoder uses a wheelchair and lives with his overprotective parents and his athlete brother, Seth (Patrick Levis). Justin is unable to play any sports due to his disability, however, he still is determined to get a trophy of his own. For guidance, he turns to God, who takes form of famous race car driver Bobby Wade (Tuc Watkins), who appears throughout the film.

Justin attempts to try out for summer baseball league; however, he is rejected due to his disability. He enters a chess tournament, but despite being placed in younger category than his actual age due assumptions about him using a wheelchair, he loses the tournament.

After leaving the tournament disappointed, Justin finds himself at a car show where he sees his neighbor, Vic Sauder (Roger Aaron Brown), who is attending with his vintage red Corvette. Justin assists Vic in winning the contest for best car in exchange for the associated trophy. Vic stops by to deliver the trophy but leaves when he is informed Justin is not there. Justin visits Vic’s home and when there is no response, Justin enters the garage and attempts to retrieve the trophy from a high shelf. The attempt causes the shelf to fall, landing on the prized Corvette, damaging the car.

Justin helps Vic clean the garage as punishment and the two develop a bond, however, Vic does not allow Justin to go near the shed on the property. Despite the warning, when Vic is running errands, Justin looks through the windows of the shed and sees multiple trophies inside. He enters and discovers more awards along with a soapbox racer. He starts a projector that plays a film of a young girl competing in soapbox racer, however, he is caught by Vic who demands that he leaves.

After reconciling with Vic and attending an soapbox race together, Justin, his father, and Vic build a soapbox racer. To accommodate his disability, his father and Vic build a customized hand brake that they name the "Justin Brake”. Meanwhile, Seth feels ignored by his father who consistently misses his baseball games and is revealed to be in therapy during a fight with Justin.

During a race, Justin crashes and is hospitalized due to spinal fluid build up. He is permitted to race in the All American Soapbox Derby after the winning competitor of the penultimate race drops out. On their way to the derby, Vic reveals to Justin that his daughter, Becca, who was also a soapbox racer competitor, died in a swimming accident and his wife died a year afterward. Seth convinces the Rules Committee to allow Justin to compete with a hand break rather than the regulation foot break after contacting the media, leading to the brothers' reconciliation. Justin ultimately wins the tournament.

In the final scene, Justin asks God if people are perfect when they go to Heaven. In response, God shows him a vision where there are angels with and without wheelchairs to which he happily replies "Perfect".

As a tribute to Justin, live footage of him is shown before the closing credits.

Cast

Production

Originally known as Wheelies, the telefilm was in production in March 2000 for a May 2000 Disney Channel premiere.[1]

Awards

Won

Greg Beeman (director), Christopher Morgan (unit production manager) (plaque), Lisa C. Satriano (first assistant director) (plaque), Nick Satriano (second assistant director) (plaque)

  • Humanitas Prize, 2001 - Children's Live-Action Category, Joel Kauffmann, Donald C. Yost
  • Young Artist Awards, 2001 - Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Movie (Drama), Supporting Young Actor, Patrick Levis

Nominations
  • Writers Guild of America, 2001 - WGA Award (TV) Children's Script, Joel Kauffmann, Donald C. Yost
  • Young Artist Award - Best Family TV Movie/Pilot/Mini-Series - Cable
  • Young Artist Award - Best Performance in a TV Movie (Drama), Leading Young Actor, Frankie Muniz

References
  1. Barker, Kate (March 1, 2000). "News in Brief". Brunico Communications Ltd. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
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