Who is Lightning McQueen's rival in Pixar's Cars 3?

Jackson Storm is Lightning McQueen's principal rival in Pixar's Cars 3.

Storm represents a new generation of highly engineered racers. He is faster, technologically advanced, and confident that older competitors cannot keep up. His dominance on the track causes Lightning to question whether his own career can continue in a sport changing rapidly around him.

The film contrasts Storm's data-driven training and cutting-edge design with Lightning's experience and adaptability. Lightning works with Cruz Ramirez, a trainer who eventually becomes a racer herself. Jackson Storm is voiced by Armie Hammer, while Lightning McQueen is voiced by Owen Wilson. Chick Hicks, the antagonist from the first Cars, is a different racer and should not be confused with Storm.