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.