What is Lightning McQueen’s main championship called in Pixar’s Cars?

Lightning McQueen competes for the Piston Cup in Pixar’s Cars.

The Piston Cup is the major stock-car racing championship in the Cars universe. At the beginning of the first film, McQueen is a rookie contender tied with veteran racer The King and rival Chick Hicks before the decisive final race in California.

McQueen’s obsession with winning the Piston Cup drives the opening story. After he becomes stranded in Radiator Springs, his priorities change: he begins to value the town’s residents and learns that winning is not the only measure of success. The championship still remains important to his career in later films.

The Piston Cup is distinct from the World Grand Prix in Cars 2, which is an international event involving different circuits and countries. It is also distinct from the Dinoco sponsorship associated with The King and later McQueen.