Lightning McQueen Day
OtherLast updated:
What Is Lightning McQueen Day?
September 5th is "Lightning McQueen Day," named for the racing number "95" worn by Lightning McQueen, the star race car of Disney·Pixar's "Cars" franchise. The day was established by The Walt Disney Company (Japan) and certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association. The same date, September 5th, is celebrated as "Lightning McQueen Day" in the United States as well.
Who Is Lightning McQueen, Exactly?
Lightning McQueen made his debut as a supremely confident rookie race car in the 2006 film "Cars." Across the franchise, McQueen — who starts out chasing glory at all costs — gradually learns, through his encounters in the small town of Radiator Springs, that there are things more important than winning.
- Voice cast: voiced by Owen Wilson in the English-language version and Dai Tsuchida in the Japanese dub
- The number "95": his number was originally going to be "57," director John Lasseter's birth year, but was reportedly changed to "95" for 1995, the year Pixar's first feature, "Toy Story," was released
- The franchise: spans three feature films, along with spin-offs and theme park attractions
His Catchphrase: "Kachow!"
McQueen's catchphrase "Kachow!" (rendered as "Kacchao" in the Japanese version) is said to have come from an ad-lib by voice actor Owen Wilson. His sponsor is the rust-remover cream company "Rust-eze," and his body features a lightning bolt and the number "95."
Tips for Marking This Day
- Rewatch the "Cars" film series and revisit McQueen's journey of growth
- Look for McQueen's lightning bolt and number "95" on toy cars and merchandise
- Look around for other things numbered "95"
- Think about what matters more to you than simply "winning"
Speed Isn't Everything
Lightning McQueen grew from a rookie obsessed solely with winning into a race car who values the bonds he forms along the way. On September 5th, his number "95" is a reminder that what truly matters isn't just the race in front of you, but the people and moments you encounter on the way there.