In Pixar’s Cars 3, Lightning McQueen faces Jackson Storm in the Florida 500 finale.
The Florida 500 is the decisive race of the film. Lightning initially plans to return to competition after training with Cruz Ramirez, but his strategy changes when he recognizes Cruz’s talent and gives her the chance to race.
Cruz starts the event in Lightning’s number 95 car. After she takes over the race, Lightning uses his experience to help her compete against Jackson Storm. Cruz ultimately wins, while Lightning begins a new role connected to training and mentoring.
The Florida 500 is not the same event as the Piston Cup season’s opening races shown earlier in the film. It is a fictional Florida race created for Cars 3. Its title echoes real-world stock-car race naming conventions without being an actual NASCAR event.