A fictitious anthropomorphic stock car named Montgomery “Lightning” McQueen serves as the main character of the Pixar cartoon series Cars, which includes Cars, Cars 2, and Cars 3. Additionally, he can be seen in the TV shows Cars Toons and Cars on the Road. Each Cars video game iteration as well as other Disney/Pixar video games have a playable character named McQueen. In Planes: Fire & Rescue, he makes a brief appearance. [1] The star of the Cars franchise and a well-known Disney mascot is Lightning McQueen.
Steve McQueen?
Old-school movie buffs might believe that actor Steve McQueen inspired the term Lightning McQueen. It would make sense given that McQueen was a close friend of Paul Newman, who played Doc Hudson in the movie, and that he was also a passionate race car fan. But Lightning is actually named after the tragically deceased Pixar animator Glenn McQueen, who passed away in 2002.
The Champ
In the movie Cars, Lightning might have missed out on the Piston Cup, but don’t feel bad for him. From 2007 through 2010, he went on to win four straight Piston Cups.
The Piston Cup and a Legendary Hero
And after he had triumphed, what did he do with the first trophy? Display it in his trophy room? Instead, he made the decision to honor his mentor and friend Doc Hudson by leaving the Cup in his office with the Hudson Hornet’s three Piston Cups.
The Story Behind Lightning’s Number
Although you undoubtedly already know, Lightning McQueen didn’t always have the number 95. Director John Lasseter was born in the year 57, hence his initial number was 57. By coincidence, 1995 is the year that Toy Story, Pixar’s debut motion picture, was released.
The Wheels on the Ground Go Round and Round…
A quick automobile needs quick wheels! Lightning makes use of Buzzard tire models made by Lightyear. a Buzz Lightyear allusion? Naturally, even so, the name also subtly alludes to the genuine Goodyear “Eagle” tires used in NASCAR. In addition, throughout the movie’s race sequences, if you look closely, you can see the Lightyear Blimp gliding through the air!
Mmm, Fettuccini
During his stay in Radiator Springs, Guido and Luigi help Lightning by upgrading his tires. And what kind of material are those stunning white walls? Why, Fettuccini Alfredo, which is also the name of the mouthwatering white sauce that is a staple of Italian cooking.
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Lightning McQueen wears a yellow “rookie stripe” on his rear bumper for his maiden Piston Cup race as a homage to NASCAR tradition.
The Need for Computer Speed
While Lightning McQueen was undoubtedly a powerful automobile, his creation required equally potent computers. They were actually 1,000 times more powerful than the ones used in Toy Story. The animation team employed computer models that were close to those used for actual autos since no detail was too small to be considered.
Owen Wilson
Owen Wilson was nominated for Favorite Movie Animated Voice at the 2012 People’s Choice Awards for his portrayal of Lightning McQueen.
Radiator Springs Comes to California
If you’ve ever wished you could race alongside Lightning McQueen, now is your chance! New to Cars Land at Disney California Adventure is Radiator Springs Racers. Doc Hudson and Lightning himself brief visitors before placing them in the center of a fast-paced race with hairpin turns and steep banks. With an estimated cost of more than $200 million, the attraction was one of Disney’s most expensive creations. (However, that is still a pittance compared to the $320 million budget for the original Cars movie!)