Jackson Storm is the new-generation rival who challenges Lightning McQueen in Pixar’s Cars 3.
Storm represents a technologically advanced generation of race cars. He is faster and more aerodynamic than many established racers, and his rise makes Lightning confront the possibility that his long career may be ending.
The conflict begins when Storm dominates the Piston Cup season and Lightning suffers a serious crash while trying to keep up. Lightning then seeks training and advice, eventually working with Cruz Ramirez at the Rust-eze Racing Center and returning to the lessons associated with Doc Hudson.
Storm’s role differs from Chick Hicks’s role in the original Cars. Chick is an aggressive veteran competitor, while Storm is a younger, highly optimized racer whose success symbolizes rapid technological change in professional racing.