Cars 3

***Cars 3*** is a 2017 American computer-animated sports comedy-adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Brian Fee in his directorial debut and written by Kiel Murray, Bob Peterson, and Mike Rich, it is the sequel to *Cars 2* (2011), the third main installment and the fifth overall in the *Cars* franchise. It was executive-produced by John Lasseter, who directed the first two *Cars* films. The returning voices of Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Bonnie Hunt, Tony Shalhoub, Guido Quaroni, Cheech Marin, Jenifer Lewis, Paul Dooley, Lloyd Sherr, Michael Wallis, Katherine Helmond and John Ratzenberger are joined by Cristela Alonzo, Chris Cooper, Armie Hammer, Nathan Fillion, Kerry Washington, and Lea DeLaria, in addition to a dozen NASCAR personalities.

In the film, Lightning McQueen sets out to prove to a new generation of race cars that he's still at the top of his game, with the help of young technician Cruz Ramirez. Development started in 2011, after the release of its predecessor. The film entered production in 2014, with Lasseter stating that it would be a "very emotional story", similar in tone to the first one. Randy Newman composed the film's score.

A special screening for the NASCAR industry was held in Kannapolis, North Carolina on May 23, 2017, before the release worldwide in movie theaters on June 16, along with its theatrical animated short film *Lou*. It is the 18th animated film from the studio. The film grossed $383 million worldwide against its $175 million production budget and received mainly positive reviews from critics.

## Plot

Five years after competing in the World Grand Prix, Lightning McQueen, now a seven-time Piston Cup champion, finds himself overshadowed by Jackson Storm, a rookie who is part of a new generation of race cars who use the latest technology to improve their performance. As Storm's success progresses throughout the season and attracts other rookies, most of the veterans either retire or are dismissed by their sponsors. In the final race of the season at Los Angeles, Lightning starts falling behind Storm after both of them pitted. He tries to keep up, but in doing so suffers a violent crash, leaving him badly injured, ending his worst season on record prematurely, and resulting in Storm winning the race and the Piston Cup.

After five months of recovering, Lightning decides he will continue racing and calls his sponsors, Rusty and Dusty Rust-eze, who reveal they have sold Rust-eze to a businessman named Sterling. Sterling assigns Lightning to train under Cruz Ramirez, where he begin to struggle adapting to the modern training methods. After Lightning accidentally damages a simulator, Sterling tries to force him to retire. Adamant that he can still compete, Lightning instead offers that if he wins the upcoming Florida 500, he can decide if he wants to keep racing, otherwise he would retire immediately.

Lightning tries to train on nearby Fireball Beach, but ends up spending most of his time teaching Cruz how to drive on the sand. Lightning then attempts to join a race undercover at a famous dirt track called Thunder Hollow, but inadvertently enters a figure-8-style demolition derby with Cruz, which she wins albeit both of them hiding their identities. Lightning's cover is blown when Cruz accidentally swerves to avoid a water truck causing him to tumble over and spilling his water on Lightning, therefore adding to his humiliation.

Frustrated that he'd wasted his time taking care of Cruz, Lightning rages at her and in the process accidentally breaks her trophy. Cruz reveals that she had wanted to be a racer just like Lightning all her life, but never started a race due to her feeling that she could never be one. She resigns as Lightning's trainer and heads back to the training center.

Guilty and with no other options, Lightning calls his friend Mater for advice. He suggests that Lightning track down Doc's mentor Smokey, in Doc's hometown of Thomasville, Georgia, so Lightning catches up to Cruz and convinces her to rejoin him.

In Thomasville, Lightning meets up with Smokey, who reveals that despite the fact Doc never raced again, he found new happiness in training Lightning. After Lightning accepts the fact that he will never be as fast as Storm, Smokey and Doc's old friends, Louise "Barnstormer" Nash, River Scott, and Junior "Midnight" Moon, help Lightning learn new tricks to overcome his speed disadvantage, using Cruz as his sparring partner. However, during the final practice race, Cruz suddenly overtakes him and he suffers a flashback to his crash, shaking his confidence.

At the race, Lightning starts at the back, but with assistance from Smokey in the pits, manages to gradually push up the ranks. Sterling, who still believes Lightning can't win, orders Cruz back to the training center to prepare a new racer for the following race, despite her wanting to stay and watch the race. Overhearing the exchange and remembering Cruz's dream of racing, Lightning avoids a massive pile-up and has his crew outfit her to take his place in the race, believing she is the key to defeating Storm. While shaky at first, Cruz is able to push up the ranks thanks to Lightning coaching her from the pits, and eventually ends up right behind Storm. Storm, feeling threatened, tries to intimidate Cruz, even to the point of ramming her against the wall in the final lap. Cruz, using one of Doc's old moves, flips over Storm, overtaking him, and winning the race.

As Cruz celebrates her victory, Sterling offers her a role on his team, but she instead takes a counteroffer from Dinoco's owner Tex Dinoco. Since Lightning and Cruz were both wearing #95, both have won the race, meaning that Lightning gets to decide if he is done racing.

Sometime later, Lightning and Cruz return to Radiator Springs, where Lightning reveals that Tex has bought Rust-eze from Sterling. Lightning, now decked in Doc's old racing colors, decides to continue racing, but trains Cruz first for the season. In a post credit scene, Mater is seen singing a song at his junkyard, and receives a call but accidentally knocks his stand over.

## Cast

### Principal Cast

* Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen
* Cristela Alonzo as Cruz Ramirez
* Chris Cooper as Smokey
* Nathan Fillion as Sterling
* Bobby Cannavale as Jackson Storm
* Tony Shalhoub as Luigi
* Guido Quaroni as Guido
* John Ratzenberger as Mack

### Supporting Cast

* Larry the Cable Guy as Mater
* Bonnie Hunt as Sally Carrera
* Jeff Bennett as Rusty Rust-eze
* Ray Magliozzi as Dusty Rust-eze
* Margo Martindale as Louise Nash
* Isiah Whitlock, Jr. as River Scott
* Junior Johnson as Junior Moon
* Lea DeLaria as Miss Fritter
* Bob Peterson as Chick Hicks
* Bob Costas as Bob Cutlass
* Darrell Waltrip as Darrell Cartrip
* H.A. Wheeler as Tex Dinoco
* Kyle Petty as Cal Weathers
* Ray Evernham as Ray Reverham
* Cheech Marin as Ramone
* Lloyd Sherr as Fillmore
* Paul Dooley as Sarge
* Will Arnett as William
* Chris Diamantopoulos as Todd Marcus
* Jenifer Lewis as Flo
* Madeline McGraw as Maddy McGear
* Andra Day as Sweet Tea
* Angel Oquendo as Bobby Swift
* Ben Whishaw as Hamilton

### Cameos

* Michael Wallis as Sheriff
* Katherine Helmond as Lizzie
* Jerome Ranft as Red
* Richard Petty as Strip Weathers
* Jeff Gordon as Jeff Gorvette
* Lewis Hamilton as Lewis
* Shannon Spake as Shannon Spokes
* Corey Burton as Doc Hudson
* Daniel Suárez as Danny Swervez
* Ryan Blaney as Ryan "Inside" Laney
* Chase Elliott as Chase Racelott
* Bubba Wallace as Bubba Wheelhouse
* Mike Joy as Mike Joyride

### Archival Recordings

* Tom Magliozzi as Rusty Rust-eze
* Paul Newman as Doc Hudson

### Uncredited Cast

* A.J. Riebli III as Albert Hinkey
* Will Collyer as Brick Yardley
* Steve Blum as Dr. Damage
* Peter Sohn as Mr. Drippy
* Jeremy Maxwell as Arvy
* Jason Pace as Faregame
* Armie Hammer as Taco
* Dennisse Aragon as Patty
* Carlos Alazraqui as Gabriel
* Django Craig as Kurt
* Steve Purcell as Taco
* Frank Welker as Tractors
* John Hoffman as RV Fan

### Additional Voices

* Andrea Taylor Baker
* Doug Burch
* Cathy Cavadini
* Lanai Chapman
* Eric Bauza
* Troy Baker
* Will Collyer - Brick Yardley
* Abby Craden - Simulator Voice
* Django Craig
* James G. Dashe
* Grant George
* Andra Day - Sweet Tea
* E. Ambriz DeColosio
* John DeMita
* Scott Menville
* Fred Tatasciore
* Kari Wahlgren
* Rod Gnapp
* Willow Geer
* Trevor Devall
* Isa Hall
* Aaron Hendry - Kurt
* John Hoffman - Ronald
* Barney Jones
* Mikey Kelley
* Colleen O'Shaughnessey
* Carlyle King
* Daamen Krall
* David H. Lawrence XVII
* Erin Fitzgerald
* Malana
* Roger Craig Smith
* Jeremy Maxwell - Arvy
* Madeleine McGraw - Maddy McGear
* Levi Nuñez - Gabriel
* Angel Oquendo
* Fred Stoller
* Keith Ferguson
* Jason Pace
* Bob Peterson - Dr. Damage
* Carlos Alazraqui
* James Pace - Faregame
* Alex Puccinelli
* Steve Purcell - Tractors
* Tara Strong
* David Randolph
* Jerome Ranft - Red
* Noreen Reardon
* A.J. Riebli III - Albert Hinkey
* Peter Sohn - Mr. Drippy
* Sean Schemmel
* Galyn Susman
* Regina Taufen
* Nancy Truman
* Cheryl Tyre
* Veronica Taylor
* Andrew Vernon
* Jay Ward
* John DiMaggio

## Die-casts

### 1:55 scale

#### First released 2017

* Aaron Clocker
* Airborne
* APB
* Arvy
* Barry DePedal
* Bill
* Blind Spot
* Bobby Swift
* Bobby Swift's Hauler
* Brick Yardley
* Broadside
* Bruce Miller
* Bubba Wheelhouse
* Buck Bearingly
* Cal Weathers
* *Cars 3* Jeff Gorvette
* *Cars 3* Lightning McQueen
* *Cars 3* Lightning McQueen with Hay Bales
* *Cars 3* Mack
* *Cars 3* Mack Hauler
* Chase Racelott
* Chick Hicks with Headset
* Chip Gearings
* Cigalert
* Cruz Ramirez
* Cruz Ramirez as Crazy 8 Frances Beltline
* Cruz Ramirez as Frances Beltline
* Danny Swervez
* Darren Leadfoot *(Cars 3)*
* Dinoco Cruz Ramirez
* Dirkson D'Agostino *(Cars 3)*
* Dirt Track Fabulous Hudson Hornet
* Dr. Damage
* Dud Throttleman
* Ed Truncan
* Ernie Gearson *(Cars 3)*
* Fabulous Lightning McQueen
* Fishtail
* Flip Dover
* Guido with Cloth
* Guido with Rust-eze Racing Center Tool Cart
* H.J. Hollis
* Harvey Rodcap
* Haulena Fecho Hauler
* Herb Curbler
* Heyday Junior Moon
* Heyday Louise Nash
* Heyday Smokey
* High Impact
* Hit
* Intro Ramone
* J.D. McPillar
* Jack DePost
* Jackson Storm
* Jamabalaya Chimichanga
* Jimbo
* Jimmy Cables
* Jocko Flocko Mack
* Jocko Flocko Mack Hauler
* Junior Moon
* Kris Revstopski with Checkered Flag
* Lane Locke
* Liability
* Lightning McQueen as Chester Whipplefilter
* Louise Nash
* Luigi with Checkered Flag
* Luigi with Hay Bales
* Maddy McGear
* Miss Fritter
* Morgan Martins
* Murray Clutchburn *(Cars 3)*
* Mr. Drippy
* Natalie Certain
* Parker Brakeston
* Pat Traxson
* Patty
* Phil Tankson
* Pileup
* Ponchy Wipeout
* Primer Lightning McQueen
* Pushover
* Ralph Carlow *(Cars 3)*
* Reb Meeker
* Rev-N-Go Racer
* Rex Revler
* River Scott
* Roscoe *(Cars 3)*
* Run
* Rust-eze Cruz Ramirez
* Rust-eze Lightning McQueen
* Rust-eze Racing Center Lightning McQueen
* Ryan "Inside" Laney
* Sandy Cruz Ramirez
* Sandy Rust-eze Racing Center Lightning McQueen
* Scott Tiller
* Shannon Spokes
* Smokey
* Sterling
* Steve "Slick" LaPage
* Stu Scattershields
* Superfly
* T-Bone
* T.G. Castlenut
* Taco
* Terry Kargas
* The Lightyear Blimp
* Tim Treadless
* Tiny Lugsworth
* Todd
* Todd Marcus *(Cars 3)*
* Tommy Highbanks

#### First released 2018

* Aiden
* Bobby Roadtesta
* Brian Spark
* Carl Clutchen
* Chick Hicks *(Cars 3)*
* Chip Gearings' Hauler
* Chris Roamin'
* Conrad Camber
* Dan Carcia
* Dino Draftsky
* Eric Braker
* Floyd Mulvihill *(Cars 3)*
* Gabriel
* June Fäster Hauler
* Krzysztof
* Markus Krankzler
* Mater with Lightning Bolt
* Paul Conrev
* Ponchy Wipeout's Hauler
* Rev Roadages
* Rich Mixon
* Sheldon Shifter
* Shriram
* Speedy Comet
* Spikey Fillups
* Steve Carski Hauler
* Sudeep
* Tom W.

#### First released 2019

##### 2018/19 Mainline

* "Jet" Robinson
* Andrew Vrooman
* Bill Revs
* Biz Torqsen
* Bob Cutlass *(Cars 3)*
* Cam Spinner
* Duke Coulters
* Heyday River Scott
* Jen Tansedan
* Jenni Towland
* Kevin Ryvan
* Kiel Motorray
* Leroy Heming
* Michael Rotor
* Mo Revlin
* Motor Turner
* Richie Gunzit
* Sterling with Headset
* Steve Hearsell
* Todd Krash
* Vandon Kerr
* Xanadu Bumpers

##### 2019/20 Mainline

* "Slim" Hood
* Bumper Save Racing Tractor
* Eli Turnpike
* Gale Beaufort Hauler
* George New-Win
* Hot Rod Junior Moon
* Kris Revstopski with Green Flag
* Kurt
* Melissa Bernabrake
* Randy Lawson
* Rev-N-Go Racing Tractor
* Shiny Wax Racing Tractor
* Sweet Tea
* Team 95 and 51 Maddy McGear
* Wheeldell Lee

#### First released 2020

* Cupcake Lightning McQueen
* Ernesto
* Faregame
* Hydraulic Florida Ramone
* Jae
* John Haulstead Hauler
* Jonas Carvers
* Fabulous Hudson Hornet with Tire
* Kris Revstopski with White Flag
* Kurt with Bug Teeth
* Laura Spinwell
* Lowgear Smythe Hauler
* Muddy Rust-eze Racing Center Lightning McQueen
* Noah Gocek
* Ray Reverham
* Trainer Cruz Ramirez

#### First released 2021

* Caleb Worley
* Clovis Rider
* Clutch Aid Racing Tractor
* Dewey Conerod
* Ducky Fauntleroy
* Easy Idle Racing Tractor
* Floyd Morgan
* Hot Rod Louise Nash
* Hot Rod River Scott
* Jim Reverick
* Jimmy Lugwrench
* Joe Don Jackson
* Kris Revstopski with Yellow Flag
* M Fast Fong
* Millie
* Nick Shift
* Pam Wheeldarrow
* Racing Start Luigi
* Rich Hurry
* Robert Jamjones
* Saludos Amigos Ramone
* Sputter Stop Racing Tractor
* Track Damage Cruz Ramirez
* View Zeen Racing Tractor
* Will Rusch
* Xavier Roadault

#### First released 2022

* Dana Crankoff
* Jae with VR Headset

First released 2023

• Braker Boggs

### Color Changers

#### First released 2019

##### 2018/19 Mainline

* Dinoco Cruz Ramirez
* Jackson Storm

#### First released 2020

* Bobby Swift
* Cars 3 Lightning McQueen
* Fabulous Lightning McQueen
* H.J. Hollis
* Paul Conrev

### Mini Racers

#### First released 2017

* Arvy
* Cal Weathers
* Cars 3 Lightning McQueen
* Chick Hicks
* Cruz Ramirez
* Danny Swervez
* Dinoco Cruz Ramirez
* Dirt Track Fabulous Hudson Hornet
* Dr. Damage
* Fabulous Lightning McQueen
* Florida Ramone
* Jackson Storm
* Louise Nash
* Murray Clutchburn
* Natalie Certain
* Smokey
* Tim Treadless

#### First released 2018

* APB
* Cigalert
* Cruz Ramirez as Frances Beltline
* Faregame
* Fishtail
* Intro Ramone
* Jimbo
* Lightning McQueen as Chester Whipplefilter
* Mr. Drippy
* Rust-eze Cruz Ramirez
* Rust-eze Racing Center Lightning McQueen
* Taco
* Thomasville Cruz Ramirez

#### First released 2019

##### 2018/19 Mainline

* Bobby Swift
* H.J. Hollis
* Leroy Heming
* Muddy Miss Fritter
* Primer Lightning McQueen
* Sterling

#### First released 2020

* Aaron Clocker
* Blind Spot
* Brian Spark
* Brick Yardley
* Bruce Miller
* Buck Bearingly
* Chase Racelott
* Conrad Camber
* Dud Throttleman
* Flip Dover
* George New-Win
* Harvey Rodcap
* Heyday Junior Moon
* Heyday Smokey
* J.D. McPillar
* Jim Reverick
* Michael Rotor
* Paul Conrev
* Rex Revler
* Ryan "Inside" Laney
* Saludos Amigos Ramone
* Sheldon Shifter
* Spikey Fillups
* Steve "Slick" LaPage
* T.G. Castlenut
* Will Rusch

#### First released 2021

* Barry DePedal
* Gabriel
* Gale Beaufort
* High Impact
* Kurt
* Mack

#### First released 2022

* Clutch Aid Racing Tractor
* Hot Rod Junior Moon
* Jonas Carvers
* Miss Fritter
* Superfly