Sophocles has wanted to enter a Charjabug race for a long time, and now with Ash and Kiawe on his team, he finally can! The huge event features tough competitors, including the arrogant Red Comet team and a disguised Team Rocket.
Red Comet is favored to win, and it starts out strong! But when it’s time to confront a giant sheet of ice, everyone has problems—except for a quick-thinking Sophocles, who uses his Charjabug’s String Shot move to maintain traction. As Red Comet looks on in horror, the Sophocles Lab team reaches the finish line and becomes the happy winner!
Kiawe, Ash and Sophocles are watching an advertisement showing Charjabug racers as Sophocles explains what they do. Sophocles also explains that every year, they put on a race and he requires a team of three to enter. Ash and Kiawe agree to take part as fire surrounds them, only for Snowy to freeze them with Powder Snow. After school, Sophocles shows them a kit for the race and they decide who gets which jobs during the race. Once decided, Sophocles places his Charjabug into the Charjabug racer and they go for a test run but Charjabug isn't able to go fast. As Sophocles explains, Charjabug fires a String Shot at him as Kiawe suggests they do some training, allowing them to bond as a team. They continue their training as Sophocles continues to make changes to the car and soon, their times improve.
The day of the race arrives and many teams are taking part in the race but they soon make rivals with the Red Comet team led by Horacio and they Shiny Charjabug. Both teams vow to win as Team Rocket enter as well with Meowth inside a fake Charjabug racer. The teams gather in the stadium where Anna provides the commentary and explains the rules and introduces the Pokémon who'll be creating obstacles for the teams. The terrains are brought out as Anna explains that a pit stop is available between each terrain as everyone takes their positions. The race begins and everyone heads out but a crash on the first corner knows out a few players which Ash manages to avoid and enter the first terrain where Boldore who causes disruption by making cliffs appear.
With a bit of cheating, Team Rocket are able to pass through the terrain and take the lead as Ash and several other teams come to a stop at the cliff. Sophocles comes up with a suggestion for getting over it which Ash does as other teams follow their lead. Team Rocket and Red Comet reach the first pit stop and change their tires for the next terrain as Ash arrives at the pit stop and Kiawe quickly changes the tires. After a quick refill of MooMoo Milk, Kiawe provides them with Safety Goggles and they set of over the desert terrain. Meowth launches an attack on Red Comet only for it to give them a speed increase but as Meowth makes another attempt, he ends up being ejected, resulting in them being disqualified. The terrain has left Red Comet's Charjabug tired but they soon exit followed by Ash and Team Electric Princess.
Outside, Team Rocket are refusing to leave only for Bewear to come in and take them away. The race continues through city terrain but Castform changes rain to hail, making the track slippery. Team Electric Princess lose control and are about to crash into Sophocles' Charjabug but Ash dives between them and gets knocked out. Sophocles and Kiawe rush to Ash's aid as Red Comet aren't getting enough traction on the ice. The Electric Princess Team apologize for what happened as Sophocles joins Kiawe and Ash and decides to replace Ash as the runner. Red Comet team aren't going anywhere as Sophocles and Charjabug race past them, having used String Shot on the tires and shoes to get traction.
Sophocles and Charjabug soon cross the line and are declared the winners. Anna interviews them over their win and presents them with their prize.