Start your engines — Lightning McQueen is back. Kachow! Disney and Pixar are revving up a brand-new series in the Cars franchise, Cars: Lightning Racers, which is set to debut in 2027 on Disney Jr. before changing tires and revving on over to Disney+. Produced by Disney Television Animation in association with Pixar, the new show will bring back a whole host of our most beloved characters, introduce some exciting new racers, and keep the high-octane heart of Radiator Springs alive for a new generation.
The series will follow Lightning McQueen as he takes on fresh challenges and races around Radiator Springs alongside his old pal Mater and two new characters: thrill-seeking drag car Pipes and a mud-loving monster truck named Miles. The show promises the same playful energy and friendship-first storytelling that’s made the franchise a hit with kids and parents alike. Owen Wilson is officially back as the voice of Lightning McQueen, with Larry the Cable Guy also returning as the ever-loyal Mater. Familiar favorites are also hitting the track again:
They’re joined by exciting new voices, including Leah Lewis (Elemental) as Pipes and Yuri Lowenthal (he’s Spider-Man!) as Miles. Emmy-winner Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary) will voice a brand-new character named Ms. Blinker. The show is executive produced by Travis Braun and Frank Montagna, with Dana Starfield serving as story editor and Nathan Chew on board as supervising director.
While plot details remain under the hood, the combination of returning talent and new additions hints at a series geared toward both nostalgic fans and young newcomers. With a blend of drag racing, monster truck mayhem, and all the charm of Radiator Springs, Cars: Lightning Racers is shaping up to be one of Disney Jr.’s biggest animated bets in years.
The last time we saw Lightning McQueen on screen was in the 2022 Disney+ series Cars on the Road. In that series, Lightning and Mater set off on a cross-country road trip to attend Mater’s sister’s wedding, encountering all sorts of bizarre characters and situations along the way — from haunted hotels to dinosaur-themed car exhibits.
While Cars on the Road was mostly episodic and comedic in tone, it did subtly reinforce a key development from Cars 3 (2017): Lightning transitioning into more of a mentor role. After training young racer Cruz Ramirez and stepping back from full-time racing at the end of Cars 3, Cars on the Road showed him embracing a more balanced life — still competitive, but no longer obsessed with proving himself on the track.
Catch the premiere on Disney Jr. in 2027, followed by streaming availability on Disney+.
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Cars 4 should come soon Mcqueen didn’t fully retire at the end of Cars 3 (2017)
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