In Pixar's Cars 3, who wins the final Florida 500 race?

Cruz Ramirez wins the final Florida 500 race in Pixar's Cars 3.

Lightning McQueen begins the race, but he changes strategy after realizing Cruz has the speed and racing ability to challenge Jackson Storm. He pits and gives Cruz his racing number, allowing her to enter the competition in his place.

Cruz defeats Jackson Storm and wins the Florida 500. The victory gives her a breakthrough as a racer, while Lightning moves toward a new role as her mentor. The ending deliberately passes part of the franchise's racing legacy from the older champion to a new competitor.

Lightning does not win the final race, although he remains central to the outcome. Jackson Storm is the modern high-tech racer who defeats Lightning early in the film, while Smokey is Lightning's mentor at the racing camp in Thomasville. The Florida 500 is held at the fictional Florida International Super Speedway.