What is the name of the race that ends Pixar’s Cars 3?

The race that ends Pixar’s Cars 3 is the Florida 500.

The Florida 500 is the major event at the film’s climax. Lightning McQueen begins the race after his comeback training, but the contest takes an unexpected turn when Cruz Ramirez replaces him as the racer representing Rust-eze.

Cruz’s victory gives the story its central emotional payoff. McQueen recognizes Cruz’s talent and supports her opportunity to compete, while he adopts a new role connected to the racing legacy of Doc Hudson. The ending therefore focuses on mentorship as well as competition.

The race name can be confused with the Piston Cup, which is the championship series rather than the title of this particular event. The Florida 500 is a fictional race in the Cars universe, staged at the fictional Florida International Super Speedway.