In Disney Pixar's upcoming animated movie "Cars 3," our hero Lightning McQueen searches for stock-car racing's roots. He finds them in four characters based on real NASCAR racing heroes, three drivers and a mechanic. Here's a look at the new characters -- and the racers who inspired them.

What was Cars 3 based on?

Recently, the track was used as inspiration for Thomasville Speedway in the movie Cars 3. An eerie ghost town accurately describes what's left of the once thriving North Wilkesboro Speedway, which was raced on from 1949 until 1996 when Jeff Gordon won the final race there, a NASCAR Winston Cup Series event.

Is the movie Cars based on a true story?

John Lasseter said that inspiration for the film's story came after he took a cross-country road trip with his wife and five sons in 2000. When he returned to the studio after vacation, he contacted Michael Wallis, a Route 66 historian.

Will there be cars 4?

There's no Cars 4 release date on the Disney or Pixar schedule yet. Although Pixar's Cars 4 is still possible, it definitely won't be arriving any time soon. Nothing has been officially confirmed on Cars 4, and the next Pixar sequel on the horizon is Inside Out 2, which will be released in theaters on June 14, 2024.

Who is Jackson storm based on?

Voiced by actor Armie Hammer, Jackson Storm is the quick, cocky, and friendless rival for McQueen. In the movie he's younger, fitter, and faster than the lead. In the movie he's called a 2017 Custom-built “Next-Gen” Piston Cup Racer. In real life he most resembles the 2002 Cadillac Cien supercar concept.

Why Cars 3 was the PERFECT ending to the trilogy

Who is Chick Hicks based on?

Chick is a 1979 Shyster Cremlin, a car that does not exist. It is based on and designed after a 1986 Buick Regal. Chick is painted green, with an 86 painted on his doors, and has yellow rims. He also has a grille in front, which serves as a mustache.

What car is the tow mater in real life?

Background. Mater's design is based on a 1955-57 Chevrolet Task Force Tow truck once used to lift equipment from mine shafts in Cherokee County, Kansas.

How old is McQueen in Cars 3?

How Old is Lightning McQueen? In the original Cars movie, McQueen is in his early-to-mid twenties, and reaches the apex of his career in his late thirties in Cars 2, before approaching obsolescence and retirement in his early forties through Cars 3.

Why is hudson not in Cars 3?

It is implied that Doc died before the events of Cars 2, and in Cars 3 he appears in flashback sequences. Doc is voiced by Paul Newman in Cars, Cars 3 (the latter via archive audio recordings) and Cars: the Video Game, and Corey Burton in all other media.

Will there be a Toy Story 5?

again. Disney has announced a return to the world of Woody and Buzz in Toy Story 5. Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed there would a new Toy Story sequel coming from Pixar during the 2023 year-end earnings call. It will be the sixth feature-length Toy Story movie following 2022's Lightyear and 2019's Toy Story 4.

Is Cars 3 the real sequel?

The sequel to Cars 2 (2011) and the third installment of the Cars film series, the film was directed by Brian Fee (in his directorial debut) and produced by Kevin Reher, from a screenplay written by Kiel Murray, Bob Peterson, and Mike Rich, and a story by Fee, Ben Queen, and the writing team of Eyal Podell and Jonathan ...

Does Cars 2 exist?

Cars 2 is a 2011 American animated spy comedy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. It is the sequel to Cars (2006), the second film in the Cars franchise, and the 12th animated film from the studio.

Is McQueen a real car?

He is not based on any particular type of vehicle, but seems to most closely resemble a C6 Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper. His body is painted red with yellow and orange lightning bolt stickers featuring his racing number on his sides.

Why was Holly not in Cars 3?

It is unknown why Holley did not appear in Cars 3, but it is possible that the nature of her work meant that she was busy with her job around the time of the third film.

What happened to Sally in Cars 3?

In Cars 3, Sally continues to be the love-interest of Lightning McQueen, and attends his races to show support. She is present when Lightning crashes while trying to keep up with the nextgens, and gives Lightning the inspiration to continue racing after he is rebuilt.

Is Cars 3 about feminism?

Within this surreal world of talking cars, there's a story line about female empowerment. Cruz, you see, never dreamed of being a trainer. She wanted to be a racer, as she eventually reveals to Lightning.

Why is Cars 4 not coming out?

Cars 4's lack of a release date is because Disney and Pixar have not yet announced a fourth film for the franchise.

How many years between Cars 1 and 3?

Gallery: Cars 3. “'Cars 3' is a return to focus on Lightning McQueen,” said producer Kevin Reher. In the 10 years between "Cars" and "Cars 3," McQueen has had quite a career.

How old is Smokey Cars 3?

He is a 1946 Hudson pick-up truck that is painted reddish-orange, with a brown flatbed.

What is Cruz's full name in Cars 3?

Cruz Ramirez

An overly spunky trainer who works for Sterling's squad, Cruz is tasked with getting McQueen back into shape; the friction and eventual mutual understanding between the characters provides the film's emotional centerpiece. Cruz is voiced by comedienne Cristela Alonzo.

Does McQueen have a girlfriend?

Sally Carrera (or simply known as "Sally") is a major character in the Disney/Pixar Cars franchise. She is the attorney of Radiator Springs, and Lightning McQueen's girlfriend.

Who is the oldest car in Cars 3?

Lizzie is a 1923 Ford Model T 2-door sedan. Her name comes from the fact that the Ford Model T's nickname was the "Tin Lizzie." Lizzie is the oldest car to appear in the movies; Stanley is older but is only shown as a statue. Lizzie was married to Stanley as seen in Mater's Tall Tales: Time Travel Mater.

Why is Mater called Mater?

Mater takes his nickname from construction superintendent and die-hard NASCAR fan Douglas "Mater" Keever, who provides the voice of one of the RV's watching the big race ("Well dip me in axle grease and call me slick!").

Is tow mater rusty?

Mater is the rustiest, trustiest tow truck in Radiator Springs. He loves tractor tippin', helping out stranded cars, and most of all, hanging out with his best friend, Lightning McQueen. Mater is great at driving backwards, because he doesn't need to know where he's going as long as he knows where he's been.

How did Mater lose his hood?

Mater had a Hood which apart of him, it was most likely not properly attached as Bubba pulls it off multiple times to harass Mater in the Cars Story Tellers Books. Mater most likely lost the hood around the mid 1980s and ended up at the bottom of a valley/cliff and started to rust.