The player arrives in Bayview to find Rachel's green Nissan 350Z waiting for him outside in airport terminal parking. Six months later the player boards a plane to Bayview with a good luck note from Samantha that also refers to her friend, Rachel Teller (Brooke Burke) as well as a car key. A man with a scythe tattoo on his hand rolls down his window following the collision and calls to confirm that he 'took care of a problem.' The call is suddenly interrupted by a dazzling light from the Hummer's headlights, which blind the player while instantaneously ramming his blue Nissan Skyline GT-R in an effort to wreck it. An unidentified black Hummer H2 waits in a dark underpass for the player. One night, the player is called by his friend, Samantha whilst en route to a celebration party, who informs him that the party is really kicking and the people want to see him at the party. The mysterious bald man on the video screen tells the player that he 'is not taking no for an answer.' In defiance, the player abruptly hangs up the call. The player is called after the final race by a bald man with an 'invitation' to join his team.

The player is now revered as the best street racer in Olympic City. The story begins after the player has beaten Eddie's street gang - 'The Eastsiders' in Olympic City.