Cars 3 was the first Cars movie to feature Jackson Storm as Lightning McQueen’s rival.
Jackson Storm is a sleek, data-driven next-generation racer who quickly dominates the Piston Cup circuit. His success creates the central conflict of Cars 3: McQueen must decide whether he can adapt to new technology or retire from professional racing.
Armie Hammer voices Jackson Storm. The character represents a new racing era built around simulation, advanced training, and optimized performance. McQueen’s struggle against Storm is therefore also a generational conflict between experience and modern methods.
Cars 2 has a different racing and espionage plot, centered on the World Grand Prix and the secret plot involving Allinol. Cars 3 returned the series to a more direct racing story and introduced Storm, Cruz Ramirez, and the Rust-eze Racing Center.