In Pixar’s Cars 3, the final race where Lightning McQueen returns to competition is the Florida 500.
The race is held at the Florida International Super Speedway, where Lightning initially intends to prove he can still defeat Jackson Storm. After a strategy change, however, Lightning gives Cruz Ramirez the chance to race in his place.
Cruz wins the event, while Lightning helps her from the pit area and fulfills the lesson he learned from Doc Hudson: a champion can also create another champion. The ending therefore focuses on mentorship rather than Lightning simply reclaiming the spotlight.
The Florida 500 is fictional. It is distinct from the Piston Cup, the championship trophy and racing series used throughout the Cars films, and from Cars 2’s World Grand Prix.