Disney Pixar’sCars 3is teaming up with NASCAR this year as crowd favorite Lightning McQueen prepares to return to the big screen June 14, 2025. Plans for the joint effort were shared byCars 3directorBrian Fee,Cristela Alonzo, the voice of the film’s elite trainer Cruz Ramirez, and NASCAR’S vice president of entertainment marketing & content developmentZane Stoddardtoday at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida as fans gear up for the Daytona 500 (live Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. ET on FOX). Owen Wilson, the voice ofLightning McQueen, will serve as grand marshal for the 59th annual “Great American Race.”
NASCAR driversChase Elliott,Ryan Blaney,Daniel SuárezandBubba Wallacewill join NASCAR legendsJeff GordonandRichard Pettyas voices in the upcoming film. According toLylle Breier, senior vice president, worldwide marketing partnerships and special events for the Walt Disney Studios, the movie inspired an expanded program with NASCAR. Here’s what she had to say in a statement.
“This collaboration marks the biggest between theCars franchiseand NASCAR. We’re looking forward to a fun and exciting season-long program with a host of activities.”
Kicking off at theDaytona 500with the premiere of a new on-air promo, the NASCAR-Cars 3collaboration continues throughout the entire race season. The joint effort will include a variety of marketing initiatives, including digital and social cross promotional activities and sweepstakes. Throughout the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, races will feature aCars 3at-track presence via a wide array of promotions. Here’s what directorBrian Feehad to say about the movie’s connection to stock car racing.
“Cars 3very much pays homage to stock car racing and its rich history. Our story leans into the drama, emotion and excitement NASCAR fans find at every race.”
A co-branded merchandise program with Fanatics, the first of its kind for NASCAR and theCarsfranchise, will also kick off at the Daytona 500 featuring the first film-related product available for fans to purchase. Product will be available at the Fanatics Trackside Superstore continuing at race tracks throughout the season, as well as online at the NASCAR.com Superstore. NASCAR Acceleration Nation, the sport’s youth program, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be featured throughout the full duration of aCars 3nationwide tour. Later this year, NASCAR and Disney will release NASCAR Acceleration Nation andCars 3co-branded in-classroom learning materials for elementary school students. Here’s what NASCAR’sZane Stoddardhad to say in his statement.
“We’re excited to take part in delivering theCars 3experience to our current and next generation of fans, at-track, in school, online and across the country. In addition to all the engaging NASCARCars 3elements industry-wide, we think our fans will really enjoy the roles of several young drivers in the film.”
The announcement included the introduction of NASCAR greats, from rookie drivers and legends to the voices behind the sport, tapped by Pixar Animation Studios to voice characters in the film.Chase Elliott, 21, was named 2016’s Sunoco Rookie of the Year after finishing last season tenth in the driver standings. Elliott, who pilots the No. 24 car previously driven by four-time champion Jeff Gordon, lends his voice to second-generation Piston Cup racer Chase Racelott inCars 3. Racelott’s blend of skills, track smarts and top-of-the-line technology make this rookie a real contender.Ryan Blaney, a 23-year-old, third-generation racer, pilots the No. 21 Ford in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series. He voices third-generation racer Ryan “Inside” Laney inCars 3. Known for his racing passion and ability to have fun on the track, Laney races with talent, speed and precision.
Daniel Suarez, who just turned 25, pilots the No. 19 ARRIS Toyota Camry in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion can be heard in the film voicing Danny Swervez, a next-gen racer who’s ascending the Piston-Cup ladder against all odds. A mid-season replacement, Swervez is a quick learner who pushes himself to the limit.Bubba Wallace, 23, won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway in 2013, becoming the first African American to win in one of the top three touring divisions since Wendell Scott in 1963. InCars 3, Wallace voices next-gen stock car racer Bubba Wheelhouse, a fast and tenacious young racer who knows how to win.
Darrell Waltrip, the NASCAR Hall of Fame racer-turned-NASCAR on FOX color analyst lends his voice to Darrell Cartrip. Cartrip, a veteran Piston-Cup announcer also heard inCarsandCars 2," may think he’s seen it all-but this new season might still have a surprise or two in store.Shannon Spake, NASCAR on FOX correspondent and college football and basketball reporter for FOX Sports, voices on-the-track reporter Shannon Spokes in the film. Spokes weaves her way into the middle of the action for in-the-moment interviews, and she’s not afraid to ask racers the tough questions.Howard Augustine “Humpy” Wheeler Jr., the legendary NASCAR promoter and former president and GM of Charlotte Motor Speedway, lends his voice to iconic Dinoco team owner Tex Dinoco inCars 3. Tex, who met Lightning McQueen in “Cars,” would love nothing more than to see #95 decked out in Dinoco blue.
NASCAR fans can picture themselves with Lightning McQueen and Cruz Ramirez, or at least life-sized cars designed to look like the big-screen characters. TheCruz Ramirezlook-alike premiered in Daytona today, alongside #95, the Lightning McQueen car made its debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January. The Lightning McQueen and Cruz Ramirez look-alike cars are slated to make appearances at select races throughout the season as part of aCars 3nationwide tour. Joining them on the tour will be a look-alike of Lightning McQueen’s on-track rival, Jackson Storm. Comedian and actress {Cristela Alonzo got to hang with her character look-alike at the event. Here’s what she had to say below.
“I am excited to be here as race fans get to see these two life-sized characters together for the first time.”
Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice ofCristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage! Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2”) and produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short),Disney’sCars 3cruises into theaters on June 01, 2025. Take a look at the photos from today’s event at the Daytona International Speedway, along with a new photo from the animated sequel with Lightning McQueen and Cruz Ramirez, as we continue the countdown towardsCars 3.
