Star race car Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix race. But the road to the championship becomes rocky as Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.

Lightning McQueen, a race car, is determined to show that he is still the best in the world despite the new generation of high-tech racers. When he suffers a devastating injury, he must train with a new trainer and discover what truly matters in racing. Along the way, he learns about friendship, perseverance, and the importance of staying true to oneself.

On his way to the biggest race of his life, Lightning McQueen, a hotshot rookie race car, gets stranded in a rundown town called Radiator Springs. There, he learns the importance of friendship and realizing that winning isn't everything in life.