In Pixar's Cars 3, which racer becomes Lightning McQueen's high-tech rival?

In Pixar's Cars 3, Jackson Storm becomes Lightning McQueen's high-tech rival.

Jackson Storm is a sleek next-generation race car whose speed and data-driven training challenge McQueen and the older generation of racers. His arrival begins the film's central conflict: McQueen must decide whether experience can compete with rapidly advancing technology.

Storm is sponsored by Ignition and wears racing number 20. He is designed with a low, aerodynamic body and advanced performance characteristics, visually separating him from the older Piston Cup competitors.

Storm's confidence is intentionally abrasive. He dismisses McQueen as outdated, while McQueen's crew searches for ways to improve his performance. The film ultimately emphasizes mentorship and adaptation rather than simply presenting newer technology as automatically superior.