In Pixar’s Cars, which race trophy does Lightning McQueen pursue?

In Pixar’s Cars, Lightning McQueen pursues the Piston Cup.

The Piston Cup is the championship trophy at the center of the film’s opening and closing races. McQueen, Chick Hicks, and Strip Weathers finish tied for the season lead, forcing a final race to determine the champion.

The cup’s name evokes the importance of piston engines in traditional automobile racing. In the story, winning it would make McQueen the first rookie champion and could earn him a prestigious sponsorship from Dinoco.

The Piston Cup is fictional, although the racing presentation draws heavily on NASCAR. It should not be confused with the World Grand Prix, the international competition introduced in Cars 2.