In Pixar's Cars, Lightning McQueen is trying to win the Piston Cup at the beginning and end of the film.
The Piston Cup is the film's fictional stock-car racing championship. McQueen is a rookie competitor who ties with veteran racers Chick Hicks and The King at the end of the season. Because the result is unresolved, the three drivers must compete in a final race at the Los Angeles International Speedway.
The story's middle section interrupts that sporting plot. McQueen becomes stranded in Radiator Springs and is required to repair the road he damaged. His time with the town's residents changes his priorities and teaches him that friendship and loyalty matter more than publicity.
At the final race, McQueen refuses to abandon The King after Chick Hicks causes a crash. He gives up the likely victory to help the veteran finish. Although Hicks wins, McQueen's sportsmanship earns him broader respect and leads to a new Dinoco opportunity.