I would call Jim Head, take him up on his offer to lease the car and drive the car myself. I would spend all of December at Frank Hawley's school at Gainesville getting laps in their school alcohol floppers and then hit the pre-season testing circuit for my nitro upgraded license and to acclimate myself as best I can before heading to the Winternationals.
I would then check in the Mater often and listen as all of you complained about how terrible my driving was and that I didn't deserve the ride, that I was just another ride-buyer. But you would never, ever be able to remove the smile from my face.
EDIT: Tree'd by Pete. I thought I was the only one around here clever enough to call Jim Head.