Lightning McQueen quotes from Cars 3 (2017)

Lightning McQueen

Hey! Jackson Storm, right? Great race today.

Jackson Storm

Wow! Thank you, Mr. McQueen! You have no idea what a pleasure it is for me to finally beat you.

Lightning

Uh, thanks. [pauses] Wait, hang on, did you say "meet" or "beat"?

Jackson

I think you heard me.

McQueen

Uh... what?

Lightning

Hey, Cal! [drives up to him] Hey! Retirement? What's going on?

You know, I asked my uncle once how I'd know when it was time to stop. You know what he said? “The youngsters will tell ya.” [reverses into his trailer, saddened] We had some good times together. I'm gonna miss that the most, I think.

Lightning

Yeah.
[Cal pushes the button and closes his trailer, as he leaves the Piston Cup forever while Lightning looks on]

Lightning

Hey. Sal.

How you feeling.

Lightning

Great. Really, really, great.

Been think about Doc again.

Lightning

Yeah. You know they told him when he was done. He didn't decide. I don't want what happened to Doc... to happen to me.

But that hasn't happened.

Lightning

No. But I can't go out on the track and do the same old thing! It won't work!

Then better chance it up, try something new.

Lightning

I don’t know, Sally, I...

Don’t fear failure. Be afraid of not having the chance, you have the chance!

Sterling

Hey, Cruz!

Oh, hey, Mr. Sterling!

Sterling

I'd like to introduce you to Lightning McQueen.

Lightning

I hear you're the maestro. [chuckles]

Cruz

Mr. Sterling, did you say Lightning McQueen was here? Because... [snorts] I don't see him anywhere.

Uh... but he's right here. [gestures to McQueen] Do you not see him?

Cruz

Nope. Still don't see him.

But he is right in front of you! It is Lighting McQueen!

Cruz

He's obviously an imposter. [circles] He looks old, and broken down.

Lightning

Hey!

Cruz

With flabby tires! [hits his front right tire]

Lightning

I do not!
Cruz: Use that!

Lightning

Whoa! Oh, yeah. I see. I can use that energy for motivation, right? [playfully growls]

Cruz

It's all about motivation, Mr. McQueen. You can use anything negative as fuel to push through to the positive!

Lightning

I've been pretty positive since I was a rookie.

Cruz

I am so excited that I get to train you. I grew up watching you on TV!

Lightning

Huh, is that right?

Cruz

These young guys are great and all, but I like a challenge.

Lightning

Haha. [half-mutters] Not that much older but —

Cruz

In fact, I call you my "Senior Project". [Lightning looks confused]

Sterling

Hey! Lightning! Come in, got something to show ya. You ready?

Lightning

Uh... for what? [He enters; Sterling shows him of array of Lightning McQueen-themed merchandise] Wow.

Sterling

You are about to become the best brand in racing. We are talking saturation on all continents for every demographic. Movie deals, infomercials, product endorsements!

Lightning

Mudflaps?

Sterling

Of course! We'll be rich beyond belief! You think you're famous now?

Lightning

Thought you'd be mad about the simulator, I mean th-this is all great, Mr. Sterling, I guess, but... I don't know. I never really thought of myself as a brand.

Sterling

Oh, nor do I. I'm a fan, maybe your most avid. I think of this as your legacy.

Lightning

That... that sounds like something that happens after you're... [with sudden realization] ...done racing. [Long pause] Mr. Sterling, what is this about?

Sterling

Look, Lightning. [inhales] I'm not gonna race you.

Lightning

What? What do you mean, not race me?

Sterling

Hold on, hold on.

Lightning

I'm not going to Florida?

Sterling

Lightning! You have no idea how excited I was to get you here because I knew. I knew you'd be back! Was gonna be the comeback story of the year, but... your speed and performance just aren't where they need to be. I'm sorry.

Lightning

Wha... we're talking about speed on a simulator! Listen to how crazy that sounds!

Sterling

Look, I'm trying to help you. As your sponsor, yes, but also as your friend. Your racing days are coming to an end. Every time you lose, you damage yourself.

Lightning

Damage the brand, you mean?

Sterling

Oh, Lightning, come on! You've done the work, now move on the next phase and reap the reward!

Lightning

The racing is the reward! Not the stuff! I - I don't wanna cash in, I - I wanna feel the rush of moving 200 miles an hour! Inches from the other guys, pushing myself faster than I thought I'd go! That's the reward, Mr. Sterling!

Sterling

Oh, Lightning, come on.

Lightning

Look, I can do this! I - I - I can, I promise! I - I - I'll train like I did with Doc! I-I'll get my tires dirty on every dirt track from here to Florida! I - I can start right there on Fireball Beach, where all the old greats used to race!

Sterling

Get your tires dirty? That's how you're gonna get faster than Storm?

Lightning

Yes! Exactly! I mean — sacred dirt, right? Mr. Sterling, if you care about my legacy, the one that Doc started, you'll let me do this! I promise you! I will win!

Sterling

I don't know. What you're asking is too risky.

Lightning

Come on, you'll like it, I can tell! It's got that little comeback story of the year feel, doesn't it?!

Sterling

One race? [Lightning nods] If you don't win at Florida, you retire?

Lightning

Look, if I don't win, I'll sell all the mudflaps you got. But if I do win, I decide when I'm done. Deal?

Sterling

Deal.

Lightning

Thank you, Mr. Sterling. You won't be sorry.

Sterling

Just one thing, and this is only because I don't like taking chances: you're taking someone with you.
[Lightning starts to leave but stops, speechless.]

Welcome racers, to Fireball Beach! Historical for today's great test of speed! Our finish line will be the abandoned pier in the distance!

Lightning

All right...quicker than quick... [closes eyes] ...faster than fast. I... am... speed...

Cruz

That is great self-motivation! Did you come up with that?

Lightning

Yeah, I did!

On your mark, get set... GO!

Lightning

Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! There you go! Felt good! [drives back to Cruz] Hey, what was my speed?

Cruz

I don't know. I can only track you on the treadmill.

Lightning

No treadmills!

Cruz

Oh. What about Hamilton?

Hamilton here.

Lightning

Who's "Hamilton"?

Cruz

My electronic personal assistant. Y'know, like on your phone. [chuckles; pause] You do have a phone, don't you?

Lightning

Race cars don't have phones, Cruz.

Cruz

Hamilton, track Mr. McQueen’s speed and report it.

Tracking.

Cruz

I’ll stay as close as I can. Your suit will transmit your speeds to Hamilton.

Lightning

Cruz, this isn't what I thought it was. C'mon! Follow me and we'll slip out!

Rule number 1: Gate closes, you race.

Cruz

Wait, nonono! I'm not a racer!!

Rule number 2: Last car standin' wins! And rule number 3: No cursing. It's Family Night. [leaves]

Lightning

Excuse me? Sir...?!

Cruz

Wait! No! I'm just a trainer!
[They are dragged back to the track.]

Cruz

So... trophy's kinda nice. Don't you think? [all she gets is Lightning's glare] I - I mean, I know like, you've got a billion of them, so y - you would know. [Lightning still doesn't respond] I still can't believe I won. Heheh. It's pretty shiny. I have never seen one up close. Looks like they spent a lot of money on it, I - I mean, I think it's real metal —

Lightning

Stop. Just stop, okay, Cruz? You don't even know. You don't even have one clue!

Cruz

Hey! I was just trying to —

Lightning

Do you know what happens if I lose this race? [Cruz doesn't answer] Every mile of this trip was to get me faster than Jackson Storm. Faster! I start off getting nowhere for a week, on a simulator [Luigi and Guido open a curtain in concern, watching the outburst, and Mack shows concern too], I lose a whole day with you on Fireball Beach, and then, I waste tonight in the crosshairs of MISS FRITTER! I'm stuck in the same speed I was a month ago! I can't get any faster because I'm too busy TAKING CARE OF MY TRAINER! [Cruz is feeling silent and hurt] 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'm talking about! But you're not! So you don't! [he slams his tire at the wall, causing Cruz's trophy to break onto the floor; Cruz is shocked, and then turns to anger of her own]

Cruz

Mack! Pull over!

What? Now?

Cruz

NOW! [she pushes the button to open Mack's trailer]

Ah! OK, OK! [starts pulling over from the road] Pulling over! Pulling over!

Cruz

Ask me if I dreamed of being a trainer, Mr. McQueen, go ahead! Ask me if I got up, in the dark, to run laps before school every day! Ask me if I saved every penny to buy a ticket to the races when they came to town. Ask me if I did that so that I could be a trainer someday. Ask me.

Lightning

Did you--?

Cruz

No! I've wanted to become a racer forever! Because of you! [Lightning is shocked; Cruz is now heartbroken] I used to watch you on TV — flying through the air. You seemed so ... fearless. "Dream small, Cruz." That's what my family used to say. "Dream small, or not at all." They were just trying to protect me. But I was the fastest kid in town, and I was going to prove them wrong.

Lightning

What happened?

Cruz

When I got to my first race, I figured it out.

Lightning

What?

Cruz

That I didn't belong. The other racers looked nothing like me. You know... they... they were bigger, and stronger, and so... confident. And when they started their engines, that was it. I knew I'd never be a racer. I just left. It was my one shot, and I didn't take it. [Lightning becomes remorseful; as she decides to leave] Yeah, so, uh... I - I'm gonna head back to the training center. I think we both know it's for the best. [starts to drive away, but turns around again] But, can I ask you something? What was it like for you, when you showed up to your first race? How did you know you could do it?

Lightning

I don't know, I... I just never thought I couldn't.

Cruz

I wish I knew what that felt like. Good luck, Mr. McQueen. [turns to leave]

Lightning

Cruz! Cruz, wait!
[Cruz ignores Lightning and he sighs]

You know what I'd do?

Lightning

What?

... I dunno. I got nothin'.

Smokey

Lesson 1: you're old. Accept it.

Cruz

I told him that.

Smokey

He's probably losin' his hearing.

Cruz

He said you're old and losing!

Lightning

I heard him!

Smokey

You'll never be as fast as Storm. But you can be smarter than him.

Lightning

Okay, what do I do?

Smokey

They said you were in a...demolition derby.

Lightning

Yeah! It was terrible! And I was —

Smokey

Sure? 'Cause there's not a scratch on ya. [Lightning looks around to see absolutely no damage] Funny what a racer can do when he's not overthinking things.

Listen, you’re gonna do great today. And no matter what happens... I’m going to move onto the next rookie and forget I ever knew you.

Lightning

I’m glad you’re here.

Jackson

Oh-ho-ho-ho, wow! Nice costume! C'mere, let's get a picture. It's so great to meet my number one fan.

What a jerk.

Lightning

She's not a fan, Storm.

Jackson

Oh, hey, there, champ. I heard you're selling mudflaps after today. Is that true? Hey, you put me down for the first case, okay?

Lightning

Hey, Cruz.

Cruz

You won't talk me out of this, Mr. McQueen. I'm going back. I resign as your trainer.

Lightning

Alright, I accept your resignation. Bye! [closes the trailer]

Cruz

Oh, okay.

Lightning

But... since you cleared your calendar, why don't you come with us? I'm looking for someone named Smokey, hoping he can help me. Maybe he can help you, too.

Cruz

Nah.

Lightning

Come on. [pulls out Cruz's broken Crazy 8 trophy, now put together with duct tape] I fixed it.

Cruz

No. Thanks anyway, but I'm done.

Lightning

Okay. But maybe this will change your mind?! Hit it! [Luigi and Guido put on upbeat techno music on the stereo] First, I'm gonna loosen up these ancient joints.

Cruz

No, please don't!

Lightning

I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry that I yelled! It wasn't your fault that I almost got killed!

Cruz

Stop!

Lightning

But now, you're leaving, and you won't get on the ramp!

Cruz

All right, I'll go!

Lightning

You won't get on the ramp!

Cruz

All right, I'll go! Just stop!