Which racer wins the opening race against Lightning McQueen in Pixar’s Cars 3?

Jackson Storm wins the opening race against Lightning McQueen in Pixar’s Cars 3.

Storm represents a new generation of highly engineered racers. His advanced training, aerodynamic design, and data-driven preparation allow him to outperform established competitors, including Lightning McQueen. The opening sequence establishes the competitive threat that drives Lightning’s later attempt to modernize his racing approach.

Jackson Storm is voiced by Armie Hammer. His victory contributes to a series of losses for Lightning, whose career has been defined by earlier success but is now challenged by younger, faster opponents.

Storm is not the same character as Francesco Bernoulli, Lightning’s principal rival in Cars 2, or Cal Weathers, a veteran racer in Cars 3. The opening defeat also sets up the film’s broader story about changing technology, mentorship, and the future of racing.