In Pixar's Cars, Chick Hicks wins the Piston Cup after The King crashes in the final race.
The Piston Cup is the fictional stock-car championship that drives the first film's plot. Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks, and veteran racer Strip Weathers—known as The King—finish the season tied, leading to a decisive race in California.
During the final race, Hicks causes The King to crash while fighting for position. Lightning reaches the finish line first but stops and pushes The King toward the line after seeing the wreck. Chick crosses first and is officially awarded the Piston Cup, but his victory is shown as morally empty.
The trophy is named after Glenn Piston, the fictional founder of the Piston Cup series. Cars 2 shifts attention to the World Grand Prix, while Cars 3 returns to the Piston Cup as Lightning faces a new generation of competitors.