What is the name of the first race shown in Pixar’s Cars?

The first race shown in Pixar’s Cars is held at the Motor Speedway of the South.

The race is the opening three-way Piston Cup finale featuring Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks, and The King. All three finish tied in points, leading to an unprecedented tiebreaker race at the Los Angeles International Speedway. That decision launches the road trip that strands Lightning in Radiator Springs.

The Motor Speedway of the South is a fictional venue created for the film. Its design evokes large American oval racing tracks, while the race itself establishes the competitive personalities of the three leading drivers. Lightning’s empty pit crew and refusal to share the spotlight also foreshadow the personal lessons he later learns.

The Motor Speedway of the South should not be confused with the Los Angeles International Speedway, where the final Piston Cup race takes place. Neither venue is a real NASCAR circuit, although the film borrows elements from stock-car racing.