Jackson Storm is the modern racing rival who challenges Lightning McQueen in Pixar’s Cars 3.
Storm represents a new generation of high-tech racers. His sleek black design, advanced aerodynamics, and data-driven training make him faster than many established competitors. He quickly becomes the leading threat to McQueen’s career after a series of next-generation racers changes the Piston Cup field.
McQueen suffers a serious crash while trying to keep up with the new competitors. He then trains with Cruz Ramirez, a racing trainer who eventually becomes central to the film’s resolution. The story explores aging, competition, coaching, and the question of how a champion can adapt.
Jackson Storm should not be confused with Chick Hicks, McQueen’s principal rival in the original Cars, or Francesco Bernoulli, his major opponent in Cars 2. Storm is voiced by Armie Hammer in the English-language film.