The Race (1916)

Fed up with his son's wild lifestyle, James Grayson, Sr. disinherits Jimmy and throws him out of the house. Through Grace Van Dyke, a chauffeur, Jimmy gets a job in a garage, and he and Grace's father Andrew invent a revolutionary automobile engine. It will take months to get the patent, however, and Jimmy must pay back a $10,000 debt almost immediately. To get the money, he enters a transcontinental car race which has a large cash prize, and which Grace also has entered. Just as Jimmy is about to win, however, he learns that Andrew is also deeply in debt. As a result, he lets Grace pass him and finish first, so she can get the money for her father. At the finish line, Jimmy is arrested for not paying his debts, but then, far ahead of schedule, the patent rights arrive for the engine, as well as a royalty check that more than covers what Jimmy owes.