In Pixar's Cars, the racing trophy Lightning McQueen pursues is the Piston Cup.
Lightning begins the film as a rookie competitor focused on winning the Piston Cup championship. The story opens with a three-way tie involving Lightning, The King, and Chick Hicks, leading to a deciding race in California.
The Piston Cup is Pixar's fictional counterpart to a major stock-car racing championship. Its name evokes a piston engine, matching the film's automobile-based world. The trophy and championship are recurring parts of the series, although later films focus more strongly on changing racing technology and mentorship.
The Dinoco name refers to a sponsor and racing team associated with The King, not the name of the trophy. The World Grand Prix belongs to Cars 2, while Rust-eze is Lightning's sponsor in the original film.