Lightning McQueen, the beloved hotshot racer, returns in Cars 3 facing a new generation of speed demons. After years at the top, winning seven Piston Cups, he’s suddenly challenged by the technologically advanced rookie, Jackson Storm. Fans are eager to know: Does Lightning Mcqueen Win In Cars 3? Let’s dive into the race, the unexpected turns, and uncover who truly crosses the finish line as a winner in this thrilling installment.
The Rise of Jackson Storm and Lightning’s Setback
The movie kicks off with Lightning McQueen enjoying his reign as a Piston Cup champion. Supported by his Radiator Springs crew and driven by the legacy of Doc Hudson, he’s still passionate about racing. However, the racing world is evolving rapidly. Jackson Storm bursts onto the scene, representing a new breed of racers. Storm isn’t just fast; he’s engineered for speed. His car boasts optimized aerodynamics, downforce, tire pressure, and weight distribution, all honed through cutting-edge race simulators. Veterans like Bobby Swift, Cal Weathers, and Brick Yardley are quickly being replaced by these next-gen racers, highlighting the changing landscape Lightning now faces.
In a pivotal Los Angeles race, Lightning briefly takes the lead, but Storm and the other rookies swiftly overtake him. Pushing himself to keep up with their relentless pace, Lightning loses control and suffers a devastating rollover crash. This not only ends his season prematurely but also casts doubt on his ability to compete at the highest level again. This crash eerily mirrors Doc Hudson’s career-ending accident, a parallel that deeply troubles Lightning as he recovers in Radiator Springs. He watches footage of Doc’s crash, fueling his determination to avoid a forced retirement and find a way to reclaim his racing edge.
Training with Cruz Ramirez
Determined to get back on track, Lightning is sent to a state-of-the-art racing center by Rusty and Dusty, the owners of Rust-Eze. To his surprise, they’ve sold Rust-Eze to Sterling, a businessman who assigns Cruz Ramirez to be Lightning’s trainer. Cruz, a skilled racing technician, is passionate about pushing racers beyond their limits. The racing center is equipped with advanced technology designed to match the capabilities of the new generation cars, including wind tunnels and race-track simulators.
Cruz starts Lightning with a unique and somewhat unorthodox training regimen. She focuses on loosening his joints and ensuring optimal oil flow, even making him name his tires. While Cruz is an expert motivator, Lightning grows impatient with her methods. He attempts to use the high-tech simulator, but his frustration leads to him damaging the equipment, further highlighting the gap between his old-school approach and the new racing world.
Sterling, observing Lightning’s struggles and declining performance, begins to see him more as a product endorsement opportunity than a racer. However, Lightning proposes a deal: if he wins the final race in Florida, he continues racing on his own terms; if not, he’ll retire. Sterling agrees and sends Cruz to train Lightning one-on-one at Fireball Beach. Instead of focusing on top speed, Lightning inadvertently spends time helping Cruz experience real-world racing on the sandy coastline. Their training takes an unexpected turn when they end up at Thunder Hollow Speedway, a dirt track that was once familiar to Doc Hudson, but now hosts chaotic demolition derbies. Forced to participate in a “Crazy Eight” derby, Lightning and Cruz encounter Miss Fritter, a formidable school bus. Cruz eventually wins the derby, accidentally revealing Lightning’s presence, which leads to public humiliation on national television.
The Florida 500 and the Unexpected Turn
Humiliated and frustrated, Lightning lashes out at Cruz, inadvertently breaking her trophy. Upset, Cruz reveals her own dream of becoming a racer, a dream she never pursued due to self-doubt and lack of opportunity. She leaves Lightning, disheartened. Seeking guidance, Lightning calls Mater, who suggests he seek out Doc’s mentor, Smokey. Lightning finds Cruz and together they travel to Thomasville, Doc’s hometown, where they meet Smokey and Doc’s old racing friends.
In Thomasville, Lightning comes to terms with the fact that he can no longer rely solely on speed. Smokey and Doc’s friends, including retired racers Louise “Barnstormer” Nash, River Scott, and Junior “Midnight” Moon, teach him new techniques to outsmart faster opponents, using Cruz as his sparring partner. Smokey reveals that Doc found new purpose in mentoring Lightning, even after his own racing career ended. During practice races, Lightning starts to improve, even managing to pass Cruz. However, when Cruz suddenly overtakes him, it triggers his memory of being overtaken by Storm before his crash, shaking his confidence once more.
Arriving at the Florida 500, Lightning is surprised to find Smokey and Doc’s friends in his pit crew. Despite falling behind the next-generation racers, he perseveres. Sterling, noticing Cruz among Lightning’s supporters, orders her back to the racing center. Overhearing this exchange, Lightning remembers Cruz’s racing aspirations. Avoiding a major pile-up, Lightning makes a pivotal decision: he has his crew outfit Cruz to race in his place, giving her the chance she deserves.
Cruz’s Victory and Lightning’s New Role
Now in the race, Cruz, guided by Lightning’s coaching and Smokey’s wisdom, skillfully navigates through the pack, climbing to second place behind Jackson Storm. In a dramatic final lap, Storm attempts to wreck Cruz, but she utilizes one of Doc’s old moves to flip over him and land ahead, winning the race in a stunning upset. Lightning and Cruz are both credited with the victory.
So, does Lightning McQueen win in Cars 3? Technically, yes, he is credited as a joint winner because he was initially entered in the race and made the strategic decision to have Cruz race in his place. However, the true victory is Cruz’s. She finally achieves her dream, proving her racing talent on the biggest stage. She accepts an offer to race for Dinoco, turning down Sterling’s subsequent offer. Tex Dinoco, Dinoco’s owner, even buys Rust-Eze from Sterling, bringing positive change for Lightning’s original team.
Returning to Radiator Springs, Lightning, now sporting Doc’s racing colors, embraces a new role. He continues racing, but his primary focus shifts to mentoring Cruz. Cars 3 beautifully illustrates that winning isn’t always about personal glory. It’s about passing the torch, fostering new talent, and finding fulfillment in different roles. Lightning McQueen’s journey in Cars 3 is not about reclaiming his past dominance but about accepting change, embracing mentorship, and ultimately, sharing the winner’s circle.
