In Pixar's Cars 3, the final Florida 500 race is held in Florida.
The Florida 500 is the climactic race of Cars 3 and takes place at the fictional Florida International Super Speedway. Lightning McQueen enters the event after struggling to compete with a new generation of technologically advanced racers. His training with Cruz Ramirez leads to a major change in how he approaches the race.
The setting continues the franchise's use of fictional racing venues while placing the event in a clearly identified U.S. state. Florida's association with speedways, tourism, and bright coastal imagery supports the film's final-race atmosphere. The race also connects Lightning's present competition with the traditions of earlier Piston Cup champions.
The name can cause confusion because the track itself is fictional, even though Florida is real. Cars 3 does not identify the venue as a specific real-world NASCAR circuit. The Florida 500 is a fictional event within Pixar's racing universe.