DISCLAIMER This route allows you to complete both any% and All Races% in the same run, which is good because this way you don't have to commit to one category over the other and potentially throw away a good run for the other category, but it comes with a price: losing about 10 seconds with the credits. If you want the fastest route, you can use the All Races% Only Route instead.
00 - Save file preparation
If your game isn't new and already has a save file, before starting a new file for the run, make sure the cursor is positioned on Doc's challenge, because the positioning gets carried over to the new save file.
01 - Doc's challenge
Once you start the new file, mash A to get through the menus and Start to skip the cutscenes. To get the boost at the start of a race start pressing A just after the number 1 appears during the countdown.
02 - Radiator Springs to Tailfin Pass
After Doc's challenge, press right once to position your cursor on the next race, you can start mashing A to enter it before the menu actually catches up, to save a couple seconds. Not much to say here, just know that there are no cutscenes here so don't mash start or you'll accidentally pause the game and lose time.
03 - Radiator Cup Circuit
After the previous race, press right twice to get to the next race. This time there is a cutscene to skip before the race. This is the first time you'll have to deal with Chick, a green car which has a unique mechanic: sometimes he will make a sound and make some smoke, and after that, for a few moments you will need to avoid him. That's because when he's in that state, if you touch him you will get spun out of the track.
04 - Mesa Ravine to Radiator Springs
After the previous race, press left six times to get to the next race, Mesa Ravine to Radiator Springs. This race has no cutscene.
05 - Ornament Valley to Willys Butte
After the previous race, press left two times to get to the next race, Ornament Valley to Willys Butte. This race has no cutscene.
06 - North Desert Dash
After the previous race, press left two times to get to the next race, North Desert Dash. This race has no cutscene.
07 - Piston Cup #1 (Palm Mile Speedway)
After the previous race, press left once and enter the Piston Cup sub menu, inside of it position yourself on Palm Mile Speedway and join the race. There is a cutscene to skip before the race. Piston Cup races are different from all the races so far: they are six laps long, the starting phase is different (just hold A during the countdown, no need for any timing here) and the slipstream mechanic is added (when you stay behind a car for long enough, a green bar will start filling up, and you can consume that charge by pressing the R button to get a speed boost). My recommendation here is: don't seek for slipstream actively, just focus on keeping the inside line, and if someone gets in your way use the slipstream. Actively looking to get slipstream will lose time in most cases. Other than that, avoid Chick and don't bump into walls/cars. When the race is over, position the cursor on the next Piston Cup race (Motor Speedway of the South), this way next time you need to enter a Piston Cup you will be able to simply mash A.
08 - Ornament Valley Circuit
After the previous race, exit the Piston Cup sub menu and press right two times to get to the next race, Ornament Valley Circuit. This race has a cutscene before the race.
09 - Piston Cup #2 - Motor Speedway of the South
After the previous race, press left two times, enter the Piston Cup sub menu and mash A to join the second Piston Cup. There will be a cutscene before the race, other than that, the same tips I explained for the other Piston Cup are valid here as well. Once again, once the race is complete, position the cursor on the next Piston Cup race (Sun Valley International Raceway).
10 - Tailfin Pass Circuit
After the previous race, exit the Piston Cup sub menu and press right twelve times to get to the next race, Tailfin Pass Circuit. This race has a cutscene before the race.
11 - Piston Cup #3 - Sun Valley International Raceway
After the previous race, press left twelve times, enter the Piston Cup sub menu and mash A to join the third Piston Cup. There will be a cutscene before the race, other than that, the same tips I explained for the other Piston Cups are valid here as well. Once again, once the race is complete, position the cursor on the next Piston Cup race (Los Angeles International Speedway).
12 - Radiator Springs Grand Prix Circuit
After the previous race, exit the Piston Cup sub menu and press right ten times to get to the next race, Radiator Springs Grand Prix Circuit. This race has a cutscene before the race.
13 - Piston Cup #4 - Los Angeles International Speedway
After the previous race, press left ten times, enter the Piston Cup sub menu and mash A to join the fourth Piston Cup. There will be a cutscene before the race, other than that, the same tips I explained for the other Piston Cups are valid here as well. After the finish line there is a cutscene to skip and then the credits will roll. You will have to wait a few seconds (until "HELIXE" shows up) before the game will let you skip them.
13.5 - The last two races order You can just swap the order of the last two races, the result will be the same. The important thing is to have 90 lightning bolts by the end of the last race.
14 - Chick's challenge
After the previous race, you will be sent to the main menu. Select continue and press right four times to get to Chick's challenge. There will be a cutscene before the race. There will also be another cutscene after the race.
15 - King's challenge
After the previous race, press right twice to get to King's challenge. There will be a cutscene before the race. Time stops when crossing the finish line.
