In Pixar's Cars, Lightning McQueen accidentally damages Route 66 while passing through Radiator Springs.
After becoming separated from his transport truck, Lightning reaches the fictional town while traveling along the historic highway. His reckless driving leads to a chase and a court-ordered community service sentence, which keeps him in Radiator Springs long enough to meet its residents.
U.S. Route 66 was established in 1926 and connected Chicago with Santa Monica. Much of its importance came from its role in automobile travel, roadside commerce, and popular culture. Although the real highway was removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985, many original segments remain preserved as historic roads.
Cars presents Radiator Springs as a community whose fortunes declined after Interstate 40 bypassed it. The fictional town is therefore linked to the real history of Route 66, but it is not itself an actual town on the road.