V8 Supercar driver Mark Winterbottom is Frosty in Cars 2". The Daily Telegraph. UK. March 21, 2011. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011 . Retrieved April 2, 2011.

McNary, Dave (November 21, 2016). "Watch the First Teaser Trailer for Disney-Pixar's 'Cars 3' ". Variety. Archived from the original on November 24, 2016 . Retrieved November 26, 2016. The show begins with Mater telling Lightning what he used to be and did in the past. However, Lightning never believes Mater (as he was not there), and whenever he asks Mater if the stories really happened, Mater will always say, "Don't you remember? You was there, too!". Then, Mater continues the stories, including Lightning's sudden participation. The episodes end with Mater leaving, often followed by the characters and/or references from Mater's stories, implying that the stories might be real. Here, Lightning is often shown getting hurt or getting some other predicament (such as being chased by bulldozers and being trapped in a burning building) in some of Mater's stories, although not always.As Team Lightning McQueen arrive in Luigi and Guido's home town in Italy, a depressed Lightning began to feel guilty over his fight with Mater. Luigi's Uncle Topolino tells him that he has been too harsh on Mater and should accept him for who he is. Graham, Bill (November 15, 2010). "First Image, Poster, and Official Synopsis for Pixar's CARS 2; Plus Trailer Info". Collider. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013 . Retrieved May 18, 2011. Lightning McQueen: "Yes it is. 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. Now, you can do this. You're the bomb." —Lightning gives words of wisdom to Mater in London. Michael Caine as Finn McMissile, a British spy car who, alongside Holley, helps Mater to foil the criminals. Subers, Ray (June 28, 2011). "Around-the-World Roundup: 'Cars 2's Foreign Model Yields Strong Sales". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on July 1, 2011 . Retrieved June 27, 2011.

In the first official teaser trailer of Cars 2, for unknown reasons, Lightning McQueen has on his original Rust-eze customization, which never appeared in the sequel. It may be because the new paint job wasn't finalized at the time of the release of the teaser trailer. a b Grabert, Jessica (August 19, 2011). "Cars 2 Revs Its Engine In Preparation For November Blu-Ray Release". Cinema Blend. Archived from the original on September 9, 2011 . Retrieved August 22, 2011. Kit, Borys (December 21, 2012). "Disney Sets Theatrical Release Date for 'Planes' ". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 21, 2012 . Retrieved December 22, 2012.Lewis, William Irvin (January 20, 2023). "What Kind of Car Is Lightning McQueen From Cars?". Motor Trend. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023 . Retrieved March 3, 2023. In Cars 3, it was mentioned that McQueen got his first win in Glen Ellen Speedway during his rookie debut. Number 95 Lightning McQueen top speed was 230 and he is still a hotshot racecar, but his rookie days are past him. Now a permanent resident of Radiator Springs, Lightning has become a bona fide worldwide celebrity as winner of four Piston Cups. Corliss, Richard (June 26, 2011). "Cars 2 at the Box Office: Pixcar or Ishcar?". Time . Retrieved November 28, 2016. Kit, Borys (July 26, 2012). " Breaking Bad, Rise of the Planet of the Apes Take Home Saturn Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 30, 2021 . Retrieved August 23, 2023.