In a world populated by anthropomorphic vehicles during the last race of the 2006 Piston Cup Season and championship at the Motor Speedway of the South, a skilled but arrogant rookie racecar, Lightning McQueen, has overtaken his opponents, avoided a huge wreck, and built up a huge lead over the cup's defending reigning (but soon retiring) seven-time reigning champion, Strip "The King" Weathers, and perennial runner-up Chick Hicks. However, because of his refusal to make regular pit stops and get