Created by John Lasseter, Lightning McQueen is an anthropomorphic race car which was the main character in the Disney cartoon movie 'Cars'. The car is typically referred to by his last name McQueen, and is the protagonist in the animated Pixar film.

He was named after Glenn McQueen, the Pixar animator who died in 2002 due to skin cancer.

Actor Owen Wilson did the voice-over for Lightning McQueen in the film as well as the video game. In 'Cars', Lightning McQueen is represented as cocky, yet likable.

In the beginning, he is a skilled, self-centered but arrogant up-and-coming racer. He is hoped to be the first to win the Piston Cup Championship in Los Angeles and gain a profitable endorsement deal from Dinoco Oil. With his skills, he finishes race in a tie with long runner-up Chick Hicks and seasoned Strip “The Kind” Weathers.

In the film, Lightning McQueen is painted like the Chevrolet Corvette C1. As a rookie, McQueen had a yellow stripe on his rear bumper and is based on generic NASCAR vehicles. His design has been influenced from the Dodge Viper and Chevrolet Corvette. His 750 horsepower V8 engine can take him from 0 to 60 mph in merely 4.5 seconds with his top speed being 200 mph.

Lightning McQueen has appeared in the Pixar written 'Cars' video game. It is considered as a sequel to the story that began in the 'Cars' movie. In this video game, Lightning McQueen finds himself at the  start of the next Piston Cup Championship season. The citizens of Radiator Springs help Lightning McQueen to start his desire to win the Piston Cup. Taking the lessons in powersliding from Doc, racing backwards from Mater, and boosting from Fillmore, he readies to win the Piston Cup. With his new skills, Lightning McQueen once again makes a championship run in the race, much to the irritation of Chick Hicks. He wins these events, taking the Piston Cup Championship in his sophomore season.