In Pixar's 2006 film Cars, the final showdown takes place in the Piston Cup race. The championship event is the climax of Lightning McQueen's rookie season, bringing him together with veteran racer The King and rival Chick Hicks.
The Piston Cup is a fictional stock-car racing championship inspired by real American motorsports, especially NASCAR. McQueen arrives at the race focused on winning the title, but his experiences in Radiator Springs have changed his priorities. The ending therefore makes the race important both as a sporting contest and as a test of his character.
A common mix-up is confusing the Piston Cup with Dinoco. Dinoco is a fictional sponsor and racing brand in the Cars universe, while the Piston Cup is the championship competition itself. Cars also includes several other races and venues, but the final contest is the Piston Cup race at the Los Angeles International Speedway.