New Cars 3 Characters Are Inspired by Racing Legends

In ESPN The Magazine's April 10 MLB Preview Issue, there is a preview of Pixar's upcoming Cars 3. The sports magazine took a look at some of the new characters to the franchise and the groundbreaking racers who inspired them. Check out the full article for comments from the film's directors as well as some of the racers them.

River Scott

INSPIRATION: Wendell Scott 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame, first (and so far only) African-American to win a Cup Series race VOICED BY: Isiah Whitlock Jr.

Junior "Midnight" Moon

INSPIRATION: Junior Johnson 2010 NASCAR Hall of Fame and inspiration for the movie "The Last American Hero" VOICED BY: Junior Johnson

Smokey

INSPIRATION: Smokey Yunick Legendary mechanic, winning car builder/crew chief of both Daytona 500 and Indy 500 VOICED BY: Chris Cooper

Louise "Barnstormer" Nash

INSPIRATION: Louise Smith "First Lady of Racing," competed in NASCAR from 1945 to '56, winning 
38 races across four divisions VOICED BY: Margo Martindale

Cars 3 will be released June 16, 2017. For more information check out our movie guide.