In Pixar’s Cars, Lightning McQueen enters the Dinoco 400 to win the Piston Cup.
The Dinoco 400 is the opening race shown in the film and takes place at the Los Angeles International Speedway. Lightning, Chick Hicks, and Strip “The King” Weathers finish in a three-way tie after Lightning refuses to pit for new tires.
That tie leads to a tiebreaker race at the Motor Speedway of the South. Lightning’s desire to win the Piston Cup drives the early story, but his unexpected stay in Radiator Springs changes his priorities.
The Dinoco 400 is sometimes confused with the tiebreaker, which is a separate event. Dinoco is also the famous racing sponsor associated with The King and later becomes central to Lightning’s career.