80 Lightning McQueen Quotes From Disney’s Cars
Are you ready to take a pit stop and look at some Lightning McQueen quotes? Well, you’re in the right place!
Cars sped onto the scene in 2006, and its popularity produced two more movies and a few TV show spin-offs!
Lightning McQueen isn’t just a hotshot racer! He’s a car full of motivation and confidence who will have you believing in yourself in no time.
So buckle up, as we’ve compiled the best Lightning McQueen quotes, where speed meets heart and friendship in Radiator Springs!
Lightning McQueen’s Sayings
We’ve compiled a huge list of Lightning McQueen’s best quotes, but here are some of his best-known catchphrases!
What is McQueen’s catchphrase?
Lightning McQueen’s catchphrase is “Ka-Chow!”. He uses it across all the Cars movies and in his Rust-Eze promotion!
What does Lightning McQueen say before his race?
Before his race, Lightning says, “Speed. Faster than fast, quicker than quick. I am Lightning”.
What is Lightning McQueen’s famous line?
Lightning McQueen says, “Float like a Cadillac, sting like a Beemer”, which is a play on the famous line by Muhammad Ali, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”.
Does Lightning McQueen say wow?
Owen Wilson is known for saying “wow” and Lightning McQueen is no different! In fact, in Cars 3, McQueen says “wow” ten times, the most Owen Wilson has said the word in a single movie.
Fun Lightning McQueen fact: Lightning McQueen was named after Pixar animator Glenn McQueen who passed away in 2002, four years before the release of Cars. He worked on numerous Pixar movies such as Toy Story and Monsters Inc.
Disney’s Lightning McQueen Quotes
Here are some of the best Lightning McQueen quotes from Disney’s Cars!
1. “Ka-Chow!”
2. “I wanted to give the folks a little sizzle.”
3. “Speed. Faster than fast, quicker than quick. I am Lightning.”
4. “Not today, old man. I know all your tricks.”
5. Lightning McQueen: I’m a very famous race car!
Luigi: You are famous race car? A real race car?
Lightning McQueen: Yes, I’m a real race car, what do you think? Look at me.
Luigi: I have followed racing my entire life, my whole life!
Lightning McQueen: Then you know who I am. I’m Lightning McQueen.
6. “Oh, I love being me.”
7. “So you’re a judge, a doctor and a racing expert.”
8. “Crazy grandpa car! What an idiot!”
9. “I’m a precision instrument of speed and aerodynamics.”
10. Mater: I tell you what, buddy, it just don’t get better than this.
Lightning McQueen: Yep, you’re living the dream, Mater boy.
11. “My lucky sticker’s all dirty!”
12. “You know, the Rust-eze Medicated Bumper Ointment team ran a great race today. And remember: with a little Rust-eze – and an insane amount of luck – you too can look like me. Kachow.”
13. Sally: I fell in love.
Lightning McQueen: Oh…
Sally: Yep.
Lightning McQueen: Corvette?
14. Sally: He’s so good looking, what, with those big, open wheels…
Lightning McQueen: Wait, what do you got against fenders?
Sally: Nothing! Nothing.
Lightning McQueen: What’s wrong with my fenders?
15. Lightning McQueen: Oh, it’s the Italian Formula car. His name is…
Sally: Francesco Bernoulli. No wonder there’s a crowd.
Lightning McQueen: Wait, why do you know his name? And don’t say it like that. It’s three syllables, not ten!
Funny Lightning McQueen Quotes
Mater isn’t the only one with some funny lines!
1. “And there’s the insult we were missing.”
2. Yeah, it’s like a clever little twist. The motel’s made out of caution cones, which, of course, cars usually try to avoid. But now we’re gonna stay in them. That’s funny.
3. “I’m telling you, you gotta help me! Don’t leave me here! I’m in hillbilly hell! My IQ’s dropping by the second! I’m becoming one of them!”
4. “I create feelings in others that they themselves don’t understand.”
5. Lightning McQueen: In your dreams, Thunder.
Chick Hicks: Yeah, right. Thunder? What’s he talkin’ about, Thunder?
Lightning McQueen: Well, you know, because Thunder always comes after… Lightning.
6. “Holy Porsche!”
7. Doc Hudson: I’ll put it simple. If you’re going hard enough left, you’ll find yourself turning right.
Lightning McQueen: Ohhh, right. That makes perfect sense. Turn right to go left. Yes! Thank you! Or should I say no, thank you, because in opposite world, maybe that really means thank you.
8. Sally: It looks awful.
Lightning McQueen: Well it matches the rest of the town.
9. Sheriff: Where’s your lawyer?
Lightning McQueen: I don’t know. Tahiti, maybe? He’s got a time share there.
10. Lightning McQueen: [reading Mater’s letter] I don’t want to be the cause of you losing any more races. I want you to go prove to the world what I already know, that you are the greatest race car in the whole wide world. Your best friend, Mater. I didn’t really want him to leave.
Luigi: Wait, there’s more here…P.S. Please tell the hotel I didn’t mean to order that movie. I thought it was just a preview and I didn’t realize I was paying for it. P.P.S. That’s funny right there. P.P…There’s a few more pages of P.S.’s here.
Lightning McQueen: Well, at least I know if he’s at home, he’ll be safe
11. “Those are strong words from a car that is so fragile.”
12. “Not so fast? What is that, your new motto?”
13. Lightning McQueen: I am not taking a nap!
[Cut to a little while later and Lightning McQueen enters room yawning]
Cruz: How was your nap, Mr McQueen?
Lightning McQueen: It was kind of refreshing, actually.
14. [Naming his tyres] “Lefty, righty, backy, backy junior, okay?”
15. “Like two June bugs on a summer’s night!”
You might also like our Tow Mater quotes!
Lightning McQueen Quotes About Life
Here are some quotes about Lightning McQueen’s outlook on life!
1. “They’re driving right by, they don’t even know what they’re missing.”
2. “This grumpy old race car I know once told me something, ‘It’s an empty cup.’”
3. “Come on. I’m a racecar, you’re… a much older racecar, but under the hood, you and I are the same.”
4. “Hey, it’s only one lap, guys. Uno lappo. Don’t need any help. I work solo mio.”
5. “No she’s a racer. It just took me a while to see it.”
6. “Float like a Cadillac, sting like a Beemer.”
7. “I’ve been pretty positive ever since I was a rookie.”
8. “No, but I can’t go out on the track and do the same old thing. It won’t work.”
9. “I hate rusty cars. This is not good for my image.”
Inspirational Lightning McQueen Quotes
A little bit of inspiration from our favorite racecar!
1. “One winner, 42 losers. I eat losers for breakfast.”
2. “Focus. Speed. I am speed.”
3. “I decide when I’m done.”
4. “The racing is the reward. Not the stuff.”
5. “Look, you’re yourself in Radiator Springs. Be yourself here. And if people aren’t taking you seriously, then they need to change, not you. I know that because I was wrong before. You can do this.
6. Lightning McQueen: Today’s the day Cruz. You’re getting your shot.
Cruz: What?
Lightning McQueen: I started this race. You’re going to finish it.
7. Cruz: Why are you doing this? You said it yourself, this might be your last chance.
Lightning McQueen: Which makes it my last chance to give you your first chance Cruz. This time I want you to take it.
8. “He sees something in you that you don’t even see in yourself. You made me believe it. Now you gotta believe it too. You are a racer. Use that.”
9. “Whoa, whoa, easy now, Mater. You know who you’re talkin’ to? This is Lightning McQueen. I can handle anything.”
10. “No! No. Listen to me. You got into his head. Don’t you understand? He would never have done that, if you didn’t scare him.”
Lighting McQueen on Racing
Here are some McQueen quotes about his favorite thing – racing!
1. “This is my last chance, Cruz. Last! Final! Finito! If I lose, I never get to do this again. If you were a racer you’d know what I was talking about, but you’re not. So you don’t.”
2. “How could a car like you quit at the top of your game?”
3. “Yeah, I just figured we never found out who the world’s fastest car is. Plus, no press, no trophy, just racing. The way I like it.”
4. “I’m coming for you Storm!”
5. “He is so getting beat tomorrow!”
6. The King: What are you doing kid?
Lightning McQueen: I think The King should finish his last race.
7. “You gotta keep moving!”
8. “Figured if I’m gonna be your crew chief, I’d better do it in style.”
9. “I’ll see you at the finish line buddy!”
Fun Lightning McQueen fact: As a rookie, Lightning’s top speed was 230mph.
More Lightning McQueen Cars Quotes
With three Cars movies, there are a lot of Lightning McQueen quotes! Here are a few more.
1. “I know I made you feel that way before, but none of that matters because we’re best friends!”
2. “I mean I think the key is we respect each other. These guys are real class acts. [Gets covered in foam]. Oh, they are gonna pay.”
3. Lightning McQueen: So you ready to start training?
Cruz: I don’t know, you ready to lose again?
Lightning McQueen: Ohh! Hope you got your fluffy cloud.
Cruz: I hope you got your drip pan.
Lightning McQueen: Got my drip pan and I’ve taken my nap.
Cruz: Bring it on, old man!
4. “This one’s for you Doc.”
5. “Yeah, your job’s pretty easy today. All you have to do now is stand there and let me look at ya. Listen, I’m gonna cut to the chase. Me, you, dinner. Pi-cha-kow!”
6. “Look, I don’t appreciate my best friend being insulted like that.”
7. “Turn right to go left. Guess what. I tried it. And you know what? This crazy thing happened. I went right!”
8. “Officer, talk to me, babe. How long is this gonna take? I gotta get to California, pronto.”
9. Lightning McQueen: Freedom!
Mater: Maybe I should’ve uh…hooked him up to Bessie and then uh… then took the boot off.
Lightning McQueen: Woo Hoo! Goodbye Radiator Springs and goodbye Bessie! California, here I come! Yeah! Oh feel that wind… Yes! [Engine sputters] No… no… no no no! Out of gas? How could I be out of gas?!
Sheriff: Boy, we ain’t as dumb as you think we are.
Lightning McQueen: Bu-bu-but… but hhhhow did you-?
Sally: We siphoned your gas while you were passed out. Ka-Chow!
10. “Pow. What do you think? Radiator Springs looks pretty good on me!”
11. Lightning McQueen: Wow, this organic fuel is great! Why haven’t I heard about it before?
Fillmore: It’s a conspiracy, man! The oil companies got a grip on the government. They’re feedin’ us a bunch of lies, man!
Lightning McQueen: Okay, I’ll take a case.
12. Mater: Ah getting cozy at the cone, is we?
Lightning McQueen: Oh no, no. Are you kidding? Besides, she can’t stand me and I don’t like her to be honest.
Mater: Yeah, you probably right. Hey look, there’s Miss Sally!
Lightning McQueen: [looking excited] What, where?
Mater: [laughs loudly] You’re in love with Miss Sally!
13. “How’d you like to come and see the world with me?”
14. “No, guys, I just really wish Mater were here.”
15. Lightning McQueen: I lost the race because of you!
Mater: I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.
Lightning McQueen: Imaginary girlfriend, flamethrowers. You know this is exactly why I don’t bring you along to these things.
Mater: Maybe if I…I don’t know…talk to somebody and explain what happened, I could help…
Lightning McQueen: I don’t need your help! I don’t want your help.
Fun Cars Fact: Artists created more than 80,000 storyboards for the Cars movie, but only 10,102 made it into the final scenes.
McQueen Quotes from Cars on the Road
Mater and Lightning McQueen head on a road trip in this Disney+ series!
1. “What? Me? Numb, jaded? Hey, I celebrate life’s simple pleasures! I appreciate…oh jeez, it’s a circus. Just uh, uh, just keep moving.”
2. “You know, I’m guessing this is the beginning of something great.”
3. “Yeah well, that crummy diner you picked out gave me gas, and not the good kind!”
4. “Hey, we get it! A fun little trip among friends somehow escalates into a post-apocalyptic turf war. It happens, right? But it’s okay to lay down your flame throwers and forget these petty squabbles. Who cares? Some dopey, insignificant tiff spins outta control and the next thing you know, you and your best friend in the world have come to blows over absolutely nothing. It’s crazy!”
5. “You know, take our time. wander the back roads, maybe even make new friends.”
6. “Let’s just see what the old road has in store for us. Bumps and all.”
Where Can You See Lightning McQueen & Cars at Disney Parks?
Did you know there are multiple Disney parks with Cars attractions?
Walt Disney World
In Orlando, you can find Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy in Hollywood Studios, just past Rock n’ Roller Coaster.
The show features all your favorite Cars characters on a giant wrap-around screen, almost two stories tall!
You can also find Lightning McQueen and friends at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
The Cars section, featuring the Cozy Cone Motel and Tow Mater’s Tow & Salvage, has brilliant theming and is also the location of the Cars family suites.
Disneyland Resort
Disney California Adventure Park has its very own Cars Land!
It not only features rides such as Radiator Springs Racers but also has places to dine and shop, including Flo’s V8 Cafe, a Route 66 inspired diner.
Disneyland Paris
You can find Lightning McQueen in two attractions at Disneyland Paris, Cars Quatre Roues Rallye and Cars ROAD TRIP.
He also sometimes makes an appearance at the Walt Disney Studios Park parade!
Disneyland Paris even has its very own Cars-themed hotel! Disney Hotel Santa Fe is an eye-catching homage to Route 66 with neon signs and Car-themed rooms.
Get to Know Lightning McQueen
Lightning McQueen starts the movie with a big ego and a lot of arrogance, assuming everyone has heard his famous name. Lightning only has one thing on his mind – winning the Piston Cup. However, he soon learns that there’s more to life than just winning an “empty cup”, and friends and relationships mean a lot more than fame and success.
Lightning McQueen isn’t based on a specific car but was inspired by multiple car designs including the Chevrolet Corvette C6, Chevrolet Corvette C1 and NASCAR Gen 4 cars. This gives Lighting McQueen a unique, one-of-a-kind look!
Lightning McQueen’s name is Montgomery McQueen. He also has a few nicknames in the movies such as Stickers, Kid and Buddy.
Lightning McQueen gets his number ’95’ from the year Pixar’s first movie, Toy Story, was released in 1995.
Tow Mater! Lightning McQueen first meets Mater when he arrives in Radiator Springs, and the pair soon become firm friends.
There are currently no plans for a Cars 4 movie.
I hope you enjoyed this list of quotes from our favorite racecar, Lightning McQueen!
You might like some of these other Disney quotes:
Lindsey is the creator and writer for Mouse Trip Magic. When she’s not walking down Main Street, she likes to bring the Disney magic home with Disney movies, fun recipes and cute Disney finds. Her love of storytelling and cinematography led her to pursue a degree in film and media, which means she loves to research and take a deep dive into all things Disney!
