What is the name of the fictional racing league in Pixar’s Cars?

The Piston Cup is the fictional racing league featured in Pixar’s Cars.

Lightning McQueen is a rookie competitor in the Piston Cup during the first film. He is trying to win the championship and secure the Dinoco sponsorship, but a traffic accident sends him to Radiator Springs before the season’s decisive race.

The Piston Cup is modeled broadly on American stock-car racing, especially NASCAR-style competition. Its name also resembles the Piston Cup trophy presented to the season champion, so the term can refer both to the championship and its award in the film’s world.

The Piston Cup is different from the World Grand Prix in Cars 2. The World Grand Prix is an international racing event created for the sequel, while the Piston Cup remains the main domestic championship associated with Lightning’s career.