What is the name of the racing competition in Pixar’s original Cars?

The Piston Cup is the racing competition in Pixar’s original Cars.

The film begins with a three-way tie in the Piston Cup season finale between Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks, and Strip “The King” Weathers. Because the tie cannot be settled under the story’s racing rules, a special race is scheduled in California.

McQueen’s urgent journey to that race leads him to Radiator Springs, where he damages a road and is ordered to repair it. His time in town changes his priorities before he returns to compete.

The Piston Cup is a fictional championship created for the Cars universe. Its sponsor and visual design parody real stock-car racing, particularly NASCAR culture. Cars 2 shifts attention to the international World Grand Prix, while Cars 3 returns to the Piston Cup world and follows McQueen’s attempt to compete with newer racers.