What fictional racing trophy do the drivers compete for in Pixar’s Cars?

The drivers compete for the fictional Piston Cup in Pixar’s Cars. The championship is the main sporting prize pursued by Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks, and The King.

The Piston Cup is modeled on American stock-car racing championships, especially the visual language of NASCAR. In the film, the season ends with a three-way tie between McQueen, Hicks, and The King, requiring a final race at the Los Angeles International Speedway.

The trophy’s name also echoes the mechanical piston, a central part of an internal-combustion engine. Dinoco, a fictional fuel company, sponsors The King and later becomes associated with McQueen as well. The Piston Cup remains an important symbol in Cars 2 and Cars 3, even when the stories shift toward international racing and the next generation of competitors.