Cars 3 introduces Jackson Storm as Lightning McQueen's chief racing rival.
Released in 2017, Cars 3 focuses on a new generation of technologically advanced racers. Jackson Storm is the leading example: he is faster, highly data-driven, and confident that older racers have become obsolete. His success forces Lightning to reconsider how he can remain competitive.
The film follows Lightning's training with Cruz Ramirez, who begins as a racing trainer and simulator specialist. Their relationship becomes central to the story as Lightning learns that passing knowledge to another racer can be a form of success rather than defeat.
Cars 2 has a different main conflict, involving an international race series and a spy plot. Jackson Storm therefore belongs specifically to Cars 3, not the earlier sequel. Armie Hammer provides Storm's voice, while Owen Wilson returns as Lightning McQueen.