In Pixar’s Cars, which actor voices rookie race car Lightning McQueen?

In Pixar’s Cars, Owen Wilson voices rookie race car Lightning McQueen.

Lightning McQueen is an ambitious stock car who begins the film focused almost entirely on winning the Piston Cup. Wilson’s voice performance combines fast-talking confidence with a gradually more reflective tone as Lightning learns from the residents of Radiator Springs.

The character was designed as a modern race car with bright red paint, a lightning-bolt motif, and the racing number 95. That number references 1995, the year Pixar released its first feature, Toy Story.

Several other important cast members play vehicle characters. Paul Newman voices Doc Hudson, Bonnie Hunt voices Sally Carrera, and Larry the Cable Guy voices Mater. Wilson continued as Lightning in Cars 2 and Cars 3, as well as related short-form productions and games.