Lightning McQueen enters the Florida 500 in Cars 3 after training with Cruz Ramirez.
The Florida 500 is the film’s decisive Piston Cup race. Lightning prepares for it at the Rust-eze Racing Center and through a series of unconventional training exercises with Cruz, including simulator work and time spent learning from racing history.
Lightning initially struggles against Jackson Storm, whose modern design and advanced performance represent the new generation of racers. During the Florida 500, Lightning changes his strategy and gives Cruz the opportunity to race in his place. Cruz ultimately wins the event, while Lightning embraces a new role as her mentor.
The race is not the same event as the Dinoco 400 from the first Cars film or the World Grand Prix from Cars 2. Each belongs to a different stage of Lightning’s career and to a different film’s central competition.