In Pixar's Cars, Lightning McQueen discovers the historic Route 66 near Radiator Springs.
Radiator Springs is presented as a once-thriving roadside community on U.S. Route 66. The fictional town was inspired by real communities and landmarks along the famous highway, which connected Chicago and Santa Monica across the United States.
The town's decline is linked in the film to the construction of Interstate 40, which diverted travelers away from Route 66. That background explains why Radiator Springs has become quiet and why its residents are eager to preserve its identity and welcome visitors.
Route 66 is not a race track in the movie. It is the road associated with the town's history and with the journey that changes McQueen's attitude. The highway itself was established in 1926 and was removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985.