In Pixar's Cars 3, who is the young racer that challenges Lightning McQueen?

Jackson Storm is the young racer who challenges Lightning McQueen in Pixar's Cars 3. Storm represents a new generation of highly advanced racers whose speed and technology threaten McQueen's career.

Storm is voiced by Armie Hammer and races for the Ignitr race team. His sleek black design, dark blue accents, and number 20 distinguish him from McQueen. He quickly dominates the Piston Cup season, while McQueen struggles to match the performance of newer competitors.

The conflict drives McQueen to seek training and rethink how he can compete. He works with Cruz Ramirez, a trainer who eventually becomes central to the film's resolution. Jackson Storm is not the same character as Chick Hicks, McQueen's main rival in the first Cars. Cal Weathers and Bobby Swift are also racers in the Cars 3 world, but neither is the film's principal young challenger.