Cars 3 features the Piston Cup race called the Florida 500.
The Florida 500 is the climactic race in Pixar’s Cars 3. It takes place at the fictional Florida International Super Speedway and brings together Lightning McQueen, Jackson Storm, and Cruz Ramirez. Lightning begins the race intending to prove that he can still compete with the newer generation, but the event ultimately becomes Cruz’s breakthrough as a professional racer.
The race title echoes real-world stock-car racing traditions, where major events often carry a state or regional name. Within Cars 3, the Florida 500 functions as both a sporting contest and a turning point in Lightning’s career. His decision to let Cruz race reflects the film’s emphasis on mentorship rather than simple victory.
The Florida 500 is not the same event as the Piston Cup race at the end of the first Cars film. That earlier race takes place at the Los Angeles International Speedway and involves Lightning, Chick Hicks, and The King.