In Pixar's Cars, the racing car known as McQueen is named Lightning McQueen.
Lightning McQueen begins the film as a talented but self-centered rookie competitor in the Piston Cup. His name combines the dramatic word “Lightning” with “McQueen,” a surname commonly associated with racing and also shared by actor Steve McQueen, although the character is not simply a depiction of that actor.
After being separated from his transport truck, Lightning reaches Radiator Springs and is ordered to repair damage he caused to the town's main road. His enforced stay introduces him to Doc Hudson, Sally Carrera, Mater, Luigi, Guido, and the rest of the community.
Lightning's racing number is 95, a recurring detail across the Cars franchise. The number honors 1995, the year Toy Story was released, making the character part of a broader set of Pixar references. The name “Lightning McQueen” is distinct from the real-world Lightning McQueen-style racing nickname sometimes used in fan discussions.