In Pixar's Cars, what fictional trophy do the racers compete to win?

The Piston Cup is the fictional trophy contested by racers in Pixar’s Cars.

Lightning McQueen is a rookie competitor in the Piston Cup season, and the film opens with a three-way tie involving McQueen, Chick Hicks, and veteran racer The King. The championship is decided by a final race in California.

The trophy’s name is a playful reference to engine technology: a piston moves inside an engine cylinder and helps convert combustion into mechanical motion. The title also echoes the real-world Winston Cup, the former name of NASCAR’s premier stock-car championship.

McQueen’s pursuit of the Piston Cup initially reflects his ambition and selfishness. By the ending, however, his treatment of The King shows that sportsmanship matters more to him than winning at any cost.