As a component of Kazuda Xiono's disguise as an operative for the Resistance during his time undercover as a spy, he found himself competing in a race against Torra Doza, who was a member of Ace Squadron.
Kazuda Xiono, a pilot serving in the New Republic Starfighter Corps, was dispatched alongside Hugh Sion and Mia Gabon on a mission to deliver crucial intelligence to the Resistance. After the First Order launched an ambush, Xiono instructed Sion and Gabon to escape, leaving him as the sole pilot when Commander Poe Dameron intervened and repelled the enemy pilot, Major Elrik Vonreg. Aboard a Resistance vessel, Xiono requested the opportunity to enlist, and Dameron assigned him to a spying mission on the Colossus refueling platform located on Castilon.
Soon after his arrival, Neeku Vozo, an employee of Jarek Yeager, an old friend of Dameron, greeted Xiono and Dameron. Vozo, known for his literal interpretations, misinterpreted Xiono's statement about imagining himself as the galaxy's greatest pilot as a declaration of fact, which he promptly spread as gossip throughout the platform. Following a scuffle at Aunt Z's Tavern, Xiono attempted to clarify the situation with Vozo, explaining that he wasn't actually the greatest pilot. Vozo felt betrayed, believing Xiono had deliberately misled him, prompting Xiono to further apologize and express his aspiration to become the platform's best pilot. This inspired Vozo to assist Xiono in realizing his ambition by announcing Xiono's participation in a race the following day. Xiono was informed that withdrawing was not an option, as it would result in his expulsion from the platform.
Following that day's race, when announcer Jak Sivrak prompted Xiono to select one of the five Aces to race solo against the next day, he chose Torra Doza, the daughter of the Colossus' owner Captain Imanuel Doza, after learning she was the youngest and newest member of the group.
The only available ship for Xiono to pilot in the race was the Fireball, an aged and dilapidated vessel known for its tendency to ignite. Consequently, Yeager and his team, including Tamara Ryvora, had to expedite repairs to make it operational. When dispatched to the Office of Acquisitions for parts, Xiono was surprised to discover that he, as the pilot, was expected to cover the costs. Lacking sufficient credits to purchase the necessary components, he negotiated a deal with proprietors Flix and Orka, offering them lunch in exchange for used parts, which Ryvora and Yeager pointed out were of inferior quality. During the repair process, Doza visited to wish Xiono luck, mentioning that no one had ever survived a race against her.
Xiono's race began poorly when the Fireball's engines initially failed to ignite, causing him to descend towards the ocean and granting Doza an early advantage. Xiono pushed his ship to its limits as he chased Doza through the sky rings, with the two pilots often running side-by-side. Eventually, Xiono overtook Doza, but Yeager cautioned him about overstressing the Fireball. Xiono, confident in his impending victory, disregarded the warning. The engines soon stalled, and Xiono was unable to restart them. He collided with a sky ring before crashing into the ocean, handing Doza the win.
Xiono and the Fireball were recovered from the ocean. Having lost consciousness, Xiono only regained awareness back in Yeager's repair shop, surrounded by Yeager, Vozo, Ryvora, Doza, and R1-J5 "Bucket." Doza congratulated him on surviving a race against her before departing.
When Jace Rucklin and his team approached Xiono and feigned friendship as part of a scheme to steal Yeager's hyperfuel, they mentioned having watched him race against Doza. Torra's father, Captain Doza, also referenced the race during his first personal encounter with Xiono, when he had him escorted to his office to discuss two missing children Xiono had been looking for.
The initial footage of the race featuring Kazuda Xiono and Torra Doza was unveiled in the Star Wars Resistance first look trailer on August 17, 2018. The race itself served as the concluding event of "The Recruit," the inaugural episode of the show's first season, which aired on October 7, 2018.