In Pixar's Cars 3, which racer defeats Lightning McQueen at the start of the film?

Jackson Storm defeats Lightning McQueen at the start of Pixar's Cars 3. Storm is a next-generation racer whose advanced technology and training make him faster than the established Piston Cup champion.

The opening racing sequence shows Storm winning repeatedly as older competitors struggle to match the new generation. McQueen continues competing because he does not want to retire, but a crash during a race forces him to confront the limits of his current preparation.

Storm's dominance creates the central conflict of Cars 3. McQueen must rebuild his confidence and learn new training methods while deciding what kind of legacy he wants to leave. The story eventually shifts attention from simply beating Storm to developing Cruz Ramirez.

Jackson Storm is voiced by Armie Hammer. He is not the same character as Chick Hicks, McQueen's principal antagonist in the original Cars, or Francesco Bernoulli, the rival from Cars 2.