Lightning: Oh, like you? You've been here how long and your friends don't even know who you are?! Who's caring about only himself?! Almost Kiss: Sally and Lightning in the final scene. They're interrupted by Mater, and Lightning lampshades it: "Great timing, Mater!" Credits Montage: After the "Where Are They Now?" Epilogue, the credits continue over a series of slow-motion stills throughout the movie. This was the last Pixar film to be THX-certified. All future Pixar films after this would not use THX.

During the end credits, car-stylised versions of Toy Story, A Bug's Life, and Monsters, Inc. are seen playing at the Radiator Springs Drive-In Theatre. Ironically, the year that the die-cast released, 2022, was also the last year Kyle drove the No. 18 in the Cup Series. The sign "City of Emeryville – Closed for the race" is a nod to Pixar's headquarters in Emeryville, California in the San Francisco Bay Area. Transformation Sequence: Lightning has a brief one when Ramone is giving him a new paint job to surprise Sally. Cars Adventure (2017) note An educational, voice-activated experience for Google Home. Added in December 2017.But Now I Must Go: Lightning has to leave Radiator Springs for the tiebreaker race, but not before saying goodbye to Sally. His sponsorship by Hostile Takeover Bank reflects his personality (he is hostile to everyone and wants to take over the Piston Cup and Dinoco.) Weathers' wife is voiced by Richard Petty's late wife Linda, and her vehicle is modeled off of the actual stationwagon the Petty family used to drive from race to race.

Doc bitterly refuses to reveal much more about his past (despite Lightning witnessing him expertly drifting through the loose dirt of Willy's Butte where Lightning crashed), labeling his old trophies as "a bunch of empty cups". The Rust-eze fan Fred promptly has his jaw literally drop to the ground when he is surprised when Lightning knows his name. Heel–Face Turn: Used and hinted at with Lightning throughout the film, in spite of his "designated hero" status. Examples: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Mario Andretti voice cars that they previously have driven: Earnhardt, Jr. as his #8 Chevrolet Monte Carlo from DEI, and Andretti as his 1967 Daytona 500 winning Ford Fairlane. Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Hamm, Mike Wazowski, Sulley, The Yeti, Flik, and P.T. Flea make cameos at the end of this movie in vehicle form. Additionally, they were also voiced by their original actors, John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Tom Hanks, John Ratzenberger, Tim Allen, and Dave Foley.Lightning McQueen's initial frustrations with being in Radiator Springs, and then gradually warming up to the town as he learns about it later on, is strongly reminiscent of Dr. Joel Fleishman and his experiences in Cicely, Alaska, from the TV series Northern Exposure. The King: "This ain't a one-man deal, kid. You need to wise up and get yourself a good crew chief and a good team. You ain't gonna win unless you got good folks behind you, (his voice dwindles as McQueen looks towards the Dinoco stage) and you let them do their job, like they should. Like I tell the boys at the shop..."

In fact, the Cars Toons short Tokyo Mater would eventually be a spoof to The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Hey, McQueen, you alright? Listen, don't you worry, pal, you had a good run. Enjoy your retirement!" Breakout Character: If it hasn't been obvious in the past several years since the first movie, Mr. Tow Mater. If you know your car history, the "Stanley Steamer" was the first steam-powered car in the world. Cars made by the Stanley Motor Carriage Company tended to be known as "Stanley Steamers."Many prominent members of the racing community make cameos, voicing real cars that they've driven during their driving career: Bilingual Bonus: Guido (voiced by Guido Quaroni) only speaks in (correct) Italian. The second movie takes this up to eleven as the action goes to Japan, France and Italy. Nominated: Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song - Randy Newman for "Our Town" McQueen found another way to embarrass himself at a demolition derby. Makes me feel sorry for the guy. Not really!