Character Profiles

Smokey

Chris Cooper gives voice to a former Piston Cup team owner based on racing’s most famous rule-bender, Smokey Yunick. If you’re even a casual motorsport aficionado, his first appearance in the film will tug hard at the heartstrings in that particular Pixar manner.

Louise “Barnstormer” Nash

Louise Smith passed away about two months before the first Cars film was released. The franchise pays tribute to the woman they called the First Lady of Racing with Louise Nash, voiced by Margo Martindale, who played the memorably hard Mags Bennett on Justified.

River Scott

Based on pioneering African-American driver Wendell Scott—the first black man to win a major NASCAR race—River Scott is voiced by The Wire’s Isiah Whitlock, Jr.

Junior "Midnight" Moon

An old-time, bona fide legend of the early Piston Cup circuit and contemporary of the late Doc Hudson, McQueen’s mentor, Junior Moon is based on and voiced by the singular Junior Johnson, one of the most colorful characters in the history of American racing. His character model is based on Johnson’s old ’39 Ford.

CARS 3

Miss Fritter (voice of Lea DeLaria) loves the smash-and-crash life of demolition derby. A local legend at the Thunder Hollow Speedway, Fritter’s formidable school-bus size is intimidating, but it’s her smoke stacks of doom, razor-sharp stop sign and crazy collection of her victims’ license plates that usually steers her opponents in the other direction. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

CARS 3

Natalie Certain (voice of Kerry Washington) is a highly respected statistical analyst who knows her numbers. Book-smart and mathematically gifted, Certain is a fresh voice in the racing world. While she may earn top marks in her ability to evaluate a racer’s stats, she could be underestimating the importance of determination. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Shannon Spokes

Shannon Spake of Fox Sports appears in automotive form as Shannon Spokes, a track reporter for the Racing Sports Network.

Darrell Cartrip

Once again brought to life by racer Darrell Waltrip, late-’70s Chevy stocker Darrell Cartrip continues with his race commentary duties.

Chick Hicks

Hicks, McQueen’s Regalesque antagonist in the first film, makes another appearance. Bob Peterson takes over the character’s voice duties from Michael Keaton.

Tex Dinoco

’75 Cadillac Coupe DeVille Tex Dinoco, voiced by legendary racing promoter Humpy Wheeler, returns, still hoping to add McQueen to his roster.

CARS 3

Sterling (voice of Nathan Fillion) is a brilliant businesscar who runs Rust-eze Racing Center—one of the most successful elite training facilities in the country. Despite his dapper appearance and obvious wealth, Sterling comes across as unassuming and laid back. But business is business, and Sterling is driven to ensure all of his investments pay off. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Dusty

Ray Magliozzi of Car Talk fame lends his voice to Dusty, a ’65 Dodge A-100 and one-half of the Rust-eze brothers.

Rusty

The late Tom Magliozzi of Car Talk returns as his beloved ’63 Dart in the form of Rusty Rust-eze. Might this mark the Rust-eze boys’ final appearance in the franchise?

Cal Weathers

Voiced by Kyle Petty, son of Richard and grandson of NASCAR pioneer Lee, Cal Weathers shares Lightning’s wariness of the young generation. Unlike McQueen, he may not be out to beat them.

The King

The Petty Blue Plymouth Superbird, voiced by King Richard himself, returns for an appearance, this time as crew chief for his nephew, Cal Weathers.

Jackson Storm

Like Lightning in the first film, Jackson Storm is quick, cocky, and friendless. He also lacks McQueen’s goofy charm. Younger, fitter, and faster than the aging vet, the Armie Hammer–voiced Storm stands as McQueen’s archrival on the track.

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.

Lightning McQueen

Voiced by Rushmore co-writer and Zoolander co-star Owen Wilson, the McQueen of Cars 3 is older and wearier, staring down the end of his professional racing career. The Pixar team took away some of his catlike bounce and treat him to a massive wreck and a subsequent grand funk that he’s gotta fight his way out of.

Mack

Pixar stalwart John Ratzenberger reprises the role of McQueen’s race transporter, Mack.

Sally Carrera

Bonnie Hunt returns as Sally Carrera, McQueen’s 996-generation Porsche 911 girlfriend.

Mater

Star of the second Cars film, Larry the Cable Guy’s Mater works best in smaller doses, which seems to be the case in Cars 3.

Luigi

Played once again by Tony Shalhoub (Monk, The Man Who Wasn’t There), excitable Cinquecento Luigi remains as part of the Rust-eze pit crew.

Guido

Voiced by Pixar’s Guido Quaroni, the tire-changing whiz of a forklift returns for a third outing.

Ramone

Ramone, Cheech Marin’s ’59 Chevy, once again rolls low and slow on the streets of Radiator Springs.