In Pixar's Cars 3, which race does Lightning McQueen enter to prove he can still compete?

Lightning McQueen enters the Florida 500 in Pixar's Cars 3.

The Florida 500 is the decisive race in Lightning's attempt to show that he can compete against a new generation of faster racers. After suffering a serious crash, he trains with Cruz Ramirez and returns to the track under pressure from his sponsor and rival competitors.

During the race, Lightning initially competes before making a strategic decision involving Cruz. He gives Cruz the opportunity to race, and she ultimately wins the event after taking over his place on the track.

The race is important because Cars 3 treats competition as a transition between generations rather than simply a repeat of Lightning's original championship story. Lightning's role evolves from young challenger to mentor, echoing Doc Hudson's influence on him in the first film.