Lightning McQueen competes in the Florida 500 at the end of Pixar's Cars 3. The race takes place at the fictional Florida International Super Speedway and becomes the film's decisive contest between established champions and modern racers.
Lightning enters the event after a difficult training period and a public struggle against Jackson Storm. During the race, he recognizes that Cruz Ramirez has the speed and ability to compete with the new generation. Lightning changes the team's plan, allowing Cruz to take his place and race under his number.
The Florida 500 therefore serves as more than a conventional finale. It completes Lightning's transition from trying to prove that he is still the fastest racer to becoming a mentor who helps another competitor succeed. Cruz wins the race, while Lightning finds a new role connected to Doc Hudson's legacy.
The first Cars film also features a climactic California race, which can cause confusion. That event is not the Florida 500; the Florida name belongs specifically to the major final race in Cars 3.