The fictional racing championship contested in Pixar’s Cars is the Piston Cup. Lightning McQueen is a rookie competitor trying to win the season’s deciding race and claim the championship.
The Piston Cup is modeled on the culture and presentation of American stock-car racing. Cars compete on oval tracks, teams use pit crews, and sponsors play a major role in each vehicle’s public identity. The championship gives Lightning his initial motivation and explains why he is so focused on speed and publicity.
The first film’s climax involves a three-way tie between Lightning, Chick Hicks, and Strip Weathers, also known as The King. The unusual result leads to a final race at the Los Angeles International Speedway rather than an immediate single winner.
The Piston Cup should not be confused with the World Grand Prix in Cars 2, which is an international racing event. The Dinoco brand is also a sponsor, not the name of the championship itself.