In Pixar's Cars, what is the name of the race at the film's opening?

The opening race in Pixar's Cars is the Dinoco 400.

The Dinoco 400 is the final race of the Piston Cup season shown at the beginning of the film. Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks, and defending champion Strip Weathers, known as The King, finish in a three-way tie after a chaotic final lap. The race result leads to a tiebreaker race at the Los Angeles International Speedway.

This opening establishes Lightning's speed and ambition, but it also shows his weakness as a teammate. He refuses to let his pit crew help him, and his worn tires contribute to the dramatic finish. The race therefore sets up both the championship stakes and Lightning's eventual need to change.

The Florida 500 belongs to Cars 3, while the World Grand Prix is the international competition in Cars 2. The Piston Cup is the championship series, whereas the Dinoco 400 is the specific race at the start of the first film.