Snake is a low-down cheating rural stock-car race driver who works for Slick – a gangster running a crooked auto parts syndicate – and makes life hell for his rival Joe.

Overlooked when the Tennessee legislature reapportioned the state, the 40-acre community of Shagbottom is discovered and notified to elect a state representative. The feud between Pa Culpepper and Uncle Foxey Calhoun resurfaces, with several incidents occurring at Postmaster Amos Quint's general store between Simon Crumb and Uncle Foxey, while at the Culpepper farm Ma Culpepper is trying to persuade Pa not to run for office. Lovers Nancy Calhoun and Del Culpepper are separated by the hostilities until the Smokey Mountain Jamboree arrives to televise the election and their country music revue.