Graciedragonet23 - Gracie's Blog - Tumblr Blog

AWWWWW!!! THIS IS SO ADORABLE AND SO CANON!! WE NEED MORE CONTENT LIKE THIS!! 🥹❤️❤️

Ladies and gentelmen...

...the cars fan animation

It was hard, but I did it❤️

He's quicker than quick. Faster than fast. He is Lightning!⚡️⚡️

Lightning McQueen is a force of nature. With Stellar Magic, his profound speed has amplified to become one with his namesake. Lightning has become practically untouchable by all Fractures, with electricity constantly circling around and through him. Anyone who dares threatens the racecar will get a shocking surprise. A Guardian who needs help can look up to the sky because Lightning will be there in a flash.

Lightning's bio probably sucks, but I tried... So here he is! Mirrorverse Lightning McQueen, Radiator Springs's own Guardian of lightning itself!

I took some time trying to design him, but I didn't have many ideas to go with other than Lightning literally becoming Thor. 😅 Lightning is a manipulator of lightning itself, so he can electrify people, teleport through lightning bolts, and strike down Fractures with his lightning, but he still his speed though, not sure if he has super speed though! 🤷

So if u guys wanna see more of the RS gang becoming Guardians of the Mirrorverse, please let me know! So that is all for now! See ya!

Gemstone # 1 - Peridot

"Dragons and humans, living in peace after all this time, I can't wait to see what the future is like." - Luna

Hola todos a slight turn away from my normal Cars or Pixar art, but I'm starting a collection of dragons with gems featuring female Wings of Fire characters. I have several in the works at the moment and I can't wait to work on them and finish them.

Starting off this collection is the famous Flamesilk herself Luna, now she wasn't the first character in mind of starting this collection with but, it's the first character I got done the quickest. I already have sketches for the main three of Arc 1, if you know who they are. 😉 And I'm working on finding characters for Arc 2, so stay tuned for that! Luna's gemstone that I picked for her is Peridot, the colors match her and I believe Luna would happy to know that there's a gemstone that has her colors.

And that is all for now and I'll see you later! Adiós!

STOP it's too early for waterfalls!! 😭😭

basically a love letter to Smokey’s incredible heart-to-heart with Lightning, that scene destroys me (positively)

An average day on the track

Just some bros playing a nice friendly game of uno

Happy Valentine's Day everyone and here's a little special gift for everyone featuring my favorite pair of talking cars as a redraw since I drew one similar to it last year! So happy Valentine's Day everyone!! 🥰💖💝🚗♥️🚙

Merry Pixmas everyone!! From our family to yours!

~From the Pixar Fam

This piece took me forever and I literally finished it an hour ago and trust me I was stressing myself out from it, but I'm glad I finished on time, even though it was slightly late!

Hola todos, just a small Cars on The Road TikTok based on my love and fascination with dinosaurs growing up and now I'm so glad that Pixar was able bring a relatable element that makes me love Lightning even more than before! 🦖🦕🏎️

Thank u!!! 🥰

✨Final Update✨

I finished Lightning already, but I got busy with work that I didn't have time to upload an update on the painting! But it's done! Lightning's finished and I have to say I'm not totally happy with Lightning's results! I think I messed up on some colors and blending! But what do u guys think?! 🦖🦕

consider: Lightning dressing up as a paleontologist and Mater as a dinosaur 🎃

✨Update✨

Mater is practically done and I just need to finish Lightning! Anybody got any ideas for the background?!

consider: Lightning dressing up as a paleontologist and Mater as a dinosaur 🎃

AHHHHH!! THANK u!! 🤩 They truly deserve the world! I generally struggled with Mater's costume!! I wanted to see this so BAD because I KNOW it's canon!! This is something they would most certainly do together!

Now I'm working on coloring them, let's hope it turns out alright! 🤞 Btw I honestly have no idea on how I drew this in the first place! 😭

consider: Lightning dressing up as a paleontologist and Mater as a dinosaur 🎃

THANK u!! 🥰🥰 I am so happy on how it turned out! ☺️

consider: Lightning dressing up as a paleontologist and Mater as a dinosaur 🎃

They said it could not be done!

I was obsessed with this idea and I just had to draw this!!

✨ Behold!✨

Dr. Lightning McGrant 🤠 and Tyranamissiasaurus Mater! 🦖

consider: Lightning dressing up as a paleontologist and Mater as a dinosaur 🎃

Hey looks like we meet again

We sure did!

OHH! I love this!! Thank u! I thought it would be too crazy! I know for a FACT that Owen and Lightning would most certainly get along! And the "W o W"s just takes the cake!

Hey there again! This request might be over the top, but maybe we could have some headcanons or a short fic about Lightning meeting a human? I hope that isn't too random and chaotic! If it's too much, I'll ask something else!

Hello! Not a bad request in the least! Let's see what kinda microfic I can come up with, here...

When McQueen Met Wilson

"Let me get this straight...you're me...but in human-form?"

The blond man standing before him shrugged with a smirk. "In the flesh. And you're me in car-form?"

The cherry red racecar nodded. Both car and human, despite not looking alike, looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Wow," the Lightning marveled. "We even sound the same."

Owen chuckled. He liked his car form. "And we're both good looking." (W o w, aren't they modest, lol.)

Lightning 'kachowed.' "You know it."

"Wow," Wilson complemented at Lightning's flickering lightning bolt. The racecar laughed.

"Wow, indeed."

Hello! I’m going to answer the second fic first. I liked both, so I’m going to write both, but I did the second first for some reason. It’s kinda lame, so. Sorry. The double date fic will be much better, I promise! :)

The Tow Truck Files

Lightning was irked. No, not irked, embarrassed. Well, maybe a bit of both. 

He retreated to the back of the art museum-turned even space with his pit crew, not able to bring himself to go sit with the other racers. Mater’s “moment” in front of everyone, including the actual car behind the whole event, was too much for the red race car to handle. 

Or maybe he just didn’t want to face Francesco and whatever 3rd person quips he had prepared for his embarrassed cherry red competitor. 

“Well, I couldn’t have made a worse impression on everyone…” Lightning groaned aside his RS crew. Introductions over with, all the cars mingled about once again. The group sat on the second floor, overlooking everyone below. 

“It was just an accident, McQueen,” Luigi reasoned. 

“Shocking too—Mater never leaks oil,” Sarge questioned. That did puzzle the entire group. Lightning sighed. 

“Maybe I should go check on him—he sure is taking a while,” the red racer decided. The others shrugged and agreed maybe that was a good idea. They waited as Lightning went towards the bathrooms down the hallway. 

It took him a minute to figure out which door was the right one, but he soon heard male voices inside the door on the right. Thus, he went inside.

Complete chaos ensued the second McQueen entered. 

First, he saw a bullet, then a blue car getting smashed into the wall, followed by Mater screaming, then the sound of metal hitting metal at full speed. That’s when everything went black. 

~~~~~~

“Where on earth are those two?” Sarge muttered to himself and he and Fillmore searched around the racetrack while Luigi and Guido called the authorities. The race was delayed a few hours due to the missing vehicles.

The RS gang never saw Lightning or Mater the rest of the evening. They assumed they must’ve gone to the hotel or to the pre-race meeting scheduled that night. However, he next morning there was no sign of them. They weren’t in their respective hotel rooms, nor were they at he race track once the pit crew arrived. Something was fishy…

“I’m telling ya, man,” Fillmore said as monochromatically as usual. “I feel as though they’re not alright. Something about this race is wrong…” 

Sarge didn’t agree with Fillmore often, but even he felt his tank drop at his friend’s statement. He had a bad intuition, too. 

Something horrible happened to Mater and Lightning—what, he hoped wasn’t nearly as bad as he fearfully thought. 

~~~~~~

Lightning groaned as his vision reappeared. It was blurry, but he could make out some windows around him. He had the sensation that he was floating. He couldn’t feel the ground. What was going on? 

A door slam jerked him awake. That’s when the cherry red racer became aware of the dozen pairs of eyes staring back at him. He saw a bunch of orange car parts and weapons strewn around the area. 

His mouth full of cotton, Lightning wasn’t able to form a coherent sentence or even question what any of this was. He suddenly heard an unfamiliar groan beside him. He looked over to his left, where the voice came from.

He saw his friend Mater to the left of a blue muscle car right beside himself that he couldn’t recall ever seeing before. Maybe he had? His mind was foggy. 

“Ah, good. You’re awake,” a voice cut into McQueen’s trance. He looked down to see the same orange Gremlin and yellow Pacer he’d barely glanced at in the bathroom a while ago. Tonight? Yesterday? Lightning didn’t even have a guess as to how much time had passed. 

That’s when he realized what was below him. A car crusher. What the hell?! He thought. Those are outlawed outside governmental use. 

“Wh…what’s happening?” he heard the blue car mutter beside him. Lightning registered the sound of a lift being lowered behind him. 

“Ah yes, good to see you three have awoken,” a German-sounding voice said. 

“Whoa, why am I hanging?!” Lightning heard Mater shout. This couldn’t be good—this wasn’t the Grand Prix and those cars below him certainly didn’t look very friendly. 

“I’ll tell you why,” a small green car with a monocle appeared and purred evilly. “You foiled our plans, therefore, we need to seek our necessary justice.” The car pulled over to a lever, which dropped the blue car onto the platform of the car crushed below them. 

Mater and Lightning let out a gasp as they heard the blue car touch down on the metal below, his own intake of breath audible. 

“Your associate here discovered the motive behind the World Grand Prix—so he will be crushed first,” the green car continued. 

“They aren’t my associates,” the blue car clarified. “Let them go—they aren’t part of this.” 

“Ah, but agent Rod Redline, that’s where you’re wrong,” the green car responded with pure evil in his words. 

Agent? Lightning thought. Like, a spy? There’s something big going on here…

“They heard too much,” that orange gremlin butted-in. “So, they’re going to suffer, too.” 

The muscle car, whom they now new was a spy named Rod, had an mixed expression of pure guilt for Mater and McQueen and hatred for the lemons. 

Just as the evil ones began to start the car crushing machine, the sound of guns and the breaking of glass echoed through the warehouse. A purple car and a baby blue car came flying in, shooting at and fighting the lemons. 

The purple car and light blue car were able to make it over to the three tortured vehicles, dropping Mater and Lightning off the magnet and releasing Rod from the compact space of the crushing machine. Then, the stand-off began. 

Gunshots fired and tires collided with metal and steel as the fight ensued. The 5 we’re taking over the lemons with ease, but suddenly, ninjas appeared. 

Lightning’s face contorted in confusion. Ninjas? What the heck—

Then Mater began fighting the ninjas with ease, taking them out one by one while the spies continued to fight the lemons. Then, out of nowhere, a cloud literally fell out of the sky. It felt like cotton balls and shaving cream. Lightning’s head gasket spun. He demanded to know what was going on here. No one else seemed to take notice. 

What is this apocalypse of insanity???? Lightning thought to himself. He suddenly saw lemons and ninjas coming for him. Out of instinct, he tried to fight them himself. A red lightsaber hit the villains before him. 

Where’d that come from?!?! Lightning wondered. He noticed Mater struggling off to the side. He rushed over, calling his name. 

“Mater! Mater!” Lightning yelled. The spies tried to help them, but it soon became hard to overtake the villains. 

Mater began to fade. 

“No, Mater!” Lightning yelled with more urgency. The spies came over to check him with concern. They called his name. “Mater! Mater!!” 

Mater! Mater! Mater! 

“Huh…” 

“Mater? Are you ok there?” Lightning was viciously shaking him with worry. “You kinda nailed that tree head-on there, buddy…” 

Mater blinked in confusion as he took in his surroundings. The tractor field. Tractors munching on grass. He noticed a tree not too far from them. 

“Wh…whadya mean…?” Mater groaned. “Where are them ninjas and spies?” Lightning’s face grew more concerned. 

“Hmm, I think he might have a concussion, Doc,” Lightning concluded as the Hudson Hornet checked over the rusty truck. 

“C’mon, Mater. Let’s get you back to the garage,” Doc reasoned. “I’ll go get Red to help. You stay here with him, Lightning. Don’t let him fall asleep again.” 

Lightning nodded and turned his attention back towards the tow truck. Mater began to wake up some more. 

“Lightning! There were secret agents! We were spies!” Mater recalled from his dream. 

Lightning actually laughed a little. “Wow, sounds like one of your tall tales to me.” 

“You and I were fighting these bad guys in Japan, and then there were ninjas and shaving cream and lightsabers and these three spies and—“ 

Lightning gave Mater a sympathetic look and put a tire on his hood. “Don’t worry, buddy. We’ll get you back to normal.” 

Mater was confused. It all felt so real. He and Lightning were spies! There was a race and everything! Maybe it was all a dream. 

Or maybe it wasn’t. 

A few years later, and the World Grand Prix happened. Mater couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw everyone from his dream (save for the torturing, the ninjas, the lightsabers, and the shaving cream clouds). 

Lightning may have always been skeptical of Mater’s dreams and stories, but little did he know that they all held truth. No matter how ridiculous. 

Lightning knew he was never actually in any of those tales, though. 

AWW!! So cute!! What a lovely oneshot!! Thank u!! 🥰☺️

Hey again!! Umm could I request a small fic featuring Lightning x Sally & Mater x Holley double date? Sorry...I know it's kinda too basic!

Or maybe a fic on Lightning being dragged by Mater to a spy adventure with the Spies!

I hope they don't sound too basic or boring!

Hello, once again! I'm glad you enjoyed my strange, off-the-wall fic of spy Lightning and Mater, lol. Here's the first request, dear friendo! :)

Also, ask box is empty and lonesome! Please send fic requests and asks this way, fellow cars fans! :D

The Rendezvous (At Last)

            Holley was still wondering how she managed to get herself into this predicament.

            It had only been 2 months since the great Allinol affair, and Holley had promised a certain tow truck a date in the near future. She supposed after the whole misunderstanding with Mater being a spy and being dragged along as an innocent civilian through a deadly mission, she’d throw him a bone and go on a date with him.

            Which was now. Holley Shiftwell was going on a date with Mater—er, “Sir” Mater, that is.

            After the Radiator Springs Grand Prix, she and Finn had been called on a new mission. After her first field experience, she was recruited to become a part-time field agent herself, and after Leland’s unexpected demise, she and Finn became partners. Although, the mission they were called on was nothing like the World Grand Prix experience—it was simply a car using fake identities and they had to find him, which was fairly easy. He wasn’t a very convincing Prince Wheeliam.

            She decided to contact Mater afterwards and arrange their date, to which Mater enthusiastically agreed. Finn had been working in the background during her call and he laughed out loud when Mater suggested a “double date,” much to Holley’s embarrassment.

            So, here was the purple spy car, flying over the desert to a place called the “Wheel-Well.” Mater had described it to her as a restaurant within a mountain; a giant half-wheel mounted on the front. The exact description came into Holley’s view. As a result, she began to descend on an empty area nearby.

            She drove to the hostess stand, where a black and white forklift gestured towards the lookout point, where she saw three familiar vehicles parked. Holley thanked the woman, and made her way over to the happy, chatting cars.

            “Holley!!!” Mater chirped happily. “You made it!” He playfully bumped her side, and led her over to the table where Sally and Lightning sat. That’s who they were on a double date with? The racecar and his girlfriend?!

            Oh, boy thought the British sportscar.

            “Hello, Ms. Shiftwell,” greeted Lightning with a friendly expression. Sally smiled at her.

            “How was your trip?” asked the blue Porsche. Holley relaxed a tiny bit.

            “Oh, yes. It was lovely,” Holley responded kindly. “Thank you all for having me.”

            “Oh, absolutely!” Mater exclaimed. “It’s ‘bout time we finally had our randyvoo!”

            Holley chuckled. “You mean, ‘rendezvous?’” Mater nodded.

            “Yeah, that! OH. We ordered ya a usual. That ok? It’s McQueen’s favorite!” Mater explained. Holley finally noticed the drink before her. It looked…pretty good actually. It appeared to be a cocktail of some kind.

            “Oh, yes. Thank you,” responded Holley politely. She took a sip, and found it to be surprisingly tasty. “This is splendid! Your favorite, Mr. McQueen?” Lightning chuckled himself.

            “Yep, created it myself. And you can just call me, Lightning,” the red racer answered with a relaxed smile.

            The four sat it comfortable silence, enjoying their drinks date and the sunset view before them. Sally finally broke the quiet.

            “How have you been the past couple of months?” she asked Holley.

            Holley finished swallowing some of her cocktail. “Oh, yes. Much more relaxing than the Grand Prix, I must admit. I haven’t been too busy lately, except for a little work—but of course, that’s classified.” Sally nodded.

            “Of course,” she smiled. Mater grinned.

            “Wait, you went on another mission!? Did ja catch him???” the tow truck asked, no awareness whatsoever. Holley gave an exasperated look.

            “Yes, Mater. Now, since you’re not an actual spy, I can’t in good conscience tell you about it. It’s protocol, you know?” Mater deflated a little bit.

            “Oh, yeah…I understand,” he sighed. Holley felt a little bit bad.

            “I still feel bad we dragged you into that whole escapade. We never formally apologized, so, I’m very sorry, Mater,” Holley apologized.

            Mater gave her a small smile. “Yeah, no it’s ok. I know I’m just a tow truck. It was an adventure of a lifetime, though.” Holley laughed.

            “Yes, I’m sure it was,” she responded in amusement.

            “Did you ever find out who was supposed to be in Mater’s place?” Lightning joined in with genuine curiosity. Holley turned his direction.

            “Oh, yes unfortunately. Sadly, he didn’t make it—the lemons got him,” Holley answered mournfully.

            “Oh, that’s terrible,” Sally grievously. Lightning nodded.

            “Poor guy—did he have any family?” he asked.

            “Wait—you don’t mean that blue guy from the bathroom, do ya?!” Mater asked with concern.

            Holley’s eyes widened. “You saw him?” she asked the tow truck.   

            Mater nodded. “Yeah, him and them lemons were in there. I didn’t know they were the bad guys yet,” he explained. Holley shut her eyes and cringed.

            “So that loss was my fault. Great,” she groaned. She looked up at the three. “And yes, Mr.—er, Lightning, he did have family. Or so I heard. I believe he had children, as well. Oh dear, now I feel even worse…”

            “Chrysler…” Lightning whispered. “His poor family…”

            Sally had a thoughtful expression. Mater looked like he felt just as bad as Holley.

            “Well, don’t ya feel too bad, Holley. I shoulda said somethin’ since he was all dented and hurt. I mean, he said he was fine, but…” Mater trailed off.

            Holley put a tire on Mater’s. “No, don’t feel bad. Spies always say that to protect their cover. It wasn’t your fault.”

            “Well, it wuddn’t yours, either,” Mater reciprocated. He gave the purple Jaguar a buck-toothed smile. Holley returned the smile half-heartedly.

            “You’re good at comforting cars, aren’t you, Mater.”

            “I can attest to that,” Lightning joined in.

            “Me, too,” Sally agreed. “How’s about a toast—to new friends, Mater’s kindness, and a mission well-done.”

            “I’ll cheers to that,” Lightning confirmed, picking up his glass with his right tire. Mater and Holley followed suit, clinking their glasses together with spirit.

            The night continued on like this for a few more hours, before all the cars decided to turn in for the evening. Sally was generous enough to offer Holley a room at the Cozy Cone, which she gladly accepted. After Lightning and Sally went to their respective places, Holley was in the middle of bidding good night to Mater.

            “Thank you for the first date, Mater. I’m glad we finally got to do this,” Holley thanked the tow truck. Mater lit up at that.

            “Well, shoot Holley, thank you! You done flew all the way out here!” Mater exclaimed happily. Holley returned the smile.

            “I’ll probably be gone early in the morning, so I’ll go ahead and bid you goodbye. Until next time,” Holley departed.

            Mater looked sad and surprised at once. “You mean it? You’ll go on another date with me?!”

            Holley laughed. “Absolutely. You’re quite fun and charming to be around. So yes, I’ll be back. Perhaps I can rope Finn into coming next time as well.”

            “I can’t wait!” Mater cried with joy. A silence fell over the two cars, when Holley gave Mater a kiss on the fender.

            “Cheerio, Mater,” she bid farewell quietly. She made her way over to her cone, leaving Mater shocked for once in his life.

            Holley couldn’t fathom what came over her, but for some reason, it felt right. Oh, dear would Finn make fun of her so if he was here. No matter, what is done is done. And it didn’t feel wrong to her at all. This date went better as planned, and she genuinely couldn’t wait to come back once again—perhaps Finn in tow, no pun intended.

            The tow truck watched as the purple Jaguar closed the door to her cone. The shocked look on his face morphed into a heart-warmed expression. He smiled with affection and made his way back to his lot in giddiness.

            “Cheerio, Ms. Holley.”

Of course they would do that! Lol! 😂 Thanks for responding to my question too! Have a good day to you too! ☺️

Hey there, Lightning!! Since I'm not sure how this works, I will Carsverse Lightning, what is the absolute craziest thing you and Mater ever did together?

“Hey there! Thanks for stoppin’ by! Ooh, boy… the craziest thing… that’s a tough one! I guess one of ‘em would be the time Mater and I led the tractors out to a bigger town in the area and let ‘em loose… but, uh- keep in mind that I, for one, was the responsible guy, and Mater dragged me into it… but the tractors ended up getting loose on the freeway, and we almost got arrested…”

An uncomfortable and/or embarrassed chuckle escapes him. “But, y’know, Sheriff knew we were prone to… incidents like these, and he got us outta trouble. But Mater and I haven’t done anything like that in years… that was in… probably ‘08, maybe?”

He laughs again. “Thanks for the question, @graciedragonet23! I appreciate it. Have a good one!”

Hey there again! Also hey Jackson got a question, what do you got against Lightning? It felt it was kinda unjustified that you antagonized Lightning, when he didn't do anything to you! Did something happened in the path that motivated you beat Lightning?

Hello again, friend! :)

Also, I feel like this deleted scene is necessary to refresh everyone's memory...

OK, laughs aside. This is going to be a loooong post, so sorry in advance lol.

So, this may surprise y 'all, but Lightning actually used to be Jackson's role model.

Why do you think he got interested in racing in the first place? Much like Cruz, he grew up watching Lightning "fly through the air" so to speak. So, when he turned 18, he began his journey on the simulators. And this next part may be a shocker to you guys, buuuuttt.....

Jackson never actually wanted to antagonize Lightning.

He was pressured into that stereotype by his boss at IGNTR. The guy was horrible and actually physically abused (more than just a few small dents, y 'all) cars that didn't follow his orders.

Ofc, Ray and Gale never approved of that kind of management (and wondered why they worked there, sometimes), and tried to teach Jackson that he didn't have to do that sort of thing just because the boss said so (and that's the reason why they stayed at IGNTR; to protect Jackson like their own son). He was still young, and had great potential. He already had multiple offers from multiple sponsors—he didn't have to agree with the one he just so happened to sign with.

Jackson grew up in a tough home. His father was a rich tycoon and his mother was a famous model; they never had time for him, and usually came home drunk and would treat him as their slave.

Because of this past, Jackson was programmed to obey and perform at his best to please everyone so he wouldn't get lashed upon. Therefore, when his boss threatened his career if he refused, he relented. anYWAy—wayyy off topic, you asked about Jackson snobby attitude towards Lightning.

So really, the only reason Jackson was such a jerk to the veterans, mainly Lightning, was because of his boss. However, overtime, when Jackson really got a taste of spotlight and his sponsor paid him more for his rude actions, it became second-nature to him.

That kind of came to an end at Florida, tho.

His boss finally got fired for the way he treated his employees (Ray finally turned him into the authorities after the Florida 500 disaster; he also gave Jack a firm talkin' to). Now, they have a new boss who is much like Tex in his treating and managing of employees.

Jackson is on the road to becoming a better competitor and respectable car, now. He's become good friends with the next gens, and even McQueen himself. It took a while to work up the courage, but with much encouragement from Ray (and Gale), he finally apologized to Cruz and Lighty for his antagonistic attitude.

He still has fun with the old man jokes, though.

Hey there!! Wanted to ask what kind of activities does the RS gang love to do the most together as a group? Also who do the RS gang trust the most in their group? (Sorry if it didn't make sense! 😭)

Hello friend! And I’ll take your ask to mean what the RS peeps like to do with each other (in pairs or in a group), and who is the one member they feel they can come to for anything! :) Final ask for RS folk comin’ your way!

Lightning: Tractor tipping with his buddy Mater, obviously! As for mentor, Doc is the one he feels he can come to with any situation. 

Doc: He likes watching the news with Sarge and Sheriff every morning with his quart of oil, and as for most trustworthy companion, he feels like Sheriff is his closest friend to confide in, both because they are similar in age and because their kind of the “grandfathers” of the town. 

Sally: Enjoys going to Flo’s house with Lizzie every Friday for a girls night, watching anything from Romance films to a good comedy sit-com. As for the one she trusts most, Flo would be it. She’s like a mother to her, and she had great advice when Lightning came flying (literally) into town. 

Mater: Anything fun with his BFF Lightning! And of course, Lightning is the one he feels he can talk to about ANYTHING. (Lightning is always happy to do this, but sometimes Mater can get a little long-winded in these conversations...)

Flo: She enjoys the ladies nights with the RS gals too, but she does enjoy a nice date at the Wheel Well with her hubby. (Ofc Ramone is the one she feels safest to confide in about difficult subjects bc he her handsome + sweet hubby <3). 

Ramone: Honestly likes to sit and paint (like on a canvas) in the sunshine with Red, while Red plants and waters his flowers, chatting lightly on occasion. And Flo is his most trustworthy, beautiful companion/wife.

Luigi: Likes to watch Indycar races with Guido, Mater, and Fillmore when he and Guido aren’t needed at a Piston Cup event; and his best friend Guido is the one he confides in the most about those difficult situations.

Guido: Also enjoys a good Indycar race, but also likes being the bartender at the Wheel Well on Friday nights, enjoying a drink and chatting with Luigi, Fillmore, and Sarge. Luigi is also his most trustworthy companion!

Sheriff: Like Doc, watching the news with his fellow elders each morning over a quart of Flo’s finest breakfast oil. He also finds Doc the most trustworthy component of the RS townies.

Red: Enjoys planting his flowers and listening to Ramone or Doc or heck even Fillmore chat alongside him. He actually finds Sally to be his most trusted friend to confide in because she understands his shyness the best of anyone.

Lizzie: Enjoys watching the Piston Cup races on TV with Red, Sheriff, Flo, and Ramone when the others are out with Lightning. She finds Stanley’s statue to be her most trusted companion. (Sometimes she forgets it’s just a statue and not her husband in the metal, but no one dares to correct her.)

Sarge: He may not admit it, but he likes to sit at Flo’s at night alongside Fillmore, and occasionally Ramone and Flo watching the blinking traffic light. The silence is his friend in this scenario. As for trustworthy friend, Fillmore in his hippie craze can actually be a decent person to confide in when something goes wrong. (Fillmore is actually the only one that knows the full story of Sarge’s late wife, Lucy.)

Fillmore: Also long nights in front of the V8 Café, watching the light, telling stories or just sitting in comfortable silence. Sarge is the trusted companion here as well.

😳 Why does he have a BETTER HANDWRITING THAN ME?! WHEN HE DOESN'T HAVE HANDS!!! 😱😭

I feel like there's a fluff story somewhere about how Doc has Lightning's racing paraphernalia in his garage (like that Rust-eze sign we see hanging on the wall)

If anyone thought I was going to answer this ask without Harv, prepare to be disappointed!

Some headcanons:

Lightning’s not great at making time for signing memorabilia. He loves meet n’ greets and the media circuit generally writ–thrives on it. But without the immediate feedback and social interaction of that, the autograph-signing is just tedious. See, what happens is Harv ships a gigantic box of hats, diecasts, antenna toppers, whatever, and Lightning is supposed to sign them all to they can be distributed via online contests, trackside giveaways, all the usual Piston Cup merch shops and online stores. It’s boring and he hates it.

Lightning has, at least once, in a moment of sheer desperation and real potential of being drowned in a barrage of Rusteze hats, tried to enlist the assistance of others to sign his things… But Mater’s penmanship was too bad, and Luigi’s was altogether too good.

Merch day is actually no one’s favorite day in Radiator Springs, because the FedEx truck that delivers it all is angry and always manages to double-park someone. And it’s just generally disruptive and industrial in ways that Radiator Springs, back on the map or not, simply isn’t. 

Sometimes, Lightning’s only incentive to get all his signing finished is he feels bad about the town having such a bad day while Mr. FedEx is waiting around. The townsfolk would like to say they don’t begrudge Lighting this, and they totally understand, and they love him no matter what, but they absolutely do begrudge him this, and they are angry about understanding even if they understand, and their eternal love becomes very questionable if it hits Hour 12 and Mr. FedEx is still passive aggressively complaining about Lightning’s attention span, work ethic, penmanship, etc. etc. etc.

Finally, FINALLY, Lightning gets to the last autograph. It’s a Rusteze sign. Just as he’s about to unleash his final flourish, Doc puts out a tire.

“Hold on, son. This one’s mine,” he says.

Doc’s never even bothered to be in town on Merch Day, he’s that unimpressed with that aspect of the noveau Piston Cup. And maybe it’s just a stupid sign, but… you know. Maybe it’s because Lightning knows it’s just a stupid sign that it means so much that Doc still wants to keep one for himself. Wants to display it in his office, even! The office, the contents of which Lightning still isn’t allowed to breathe on, much less touch. It makes Lightning really, really proud.

“I could sign it,” Lightning offers. Then he chuckles. “You know, for when you sell it on eBay fifty years from now.”

Doc looks at his sign, and then he looks at the pile of other signs. And he says, “For the sake of my sale, it’s best you don’t.”

First Sign Penmanship:

Last Sign Penmanship:

I approve of this headcanon!!

What is Lightning's least favorite piece(s) of merch?

Lightning is surprisingly chill with most of his merch–even the misshapen pillow pets; the creepy bento kits where the food is placed in his innards; the McGrill; and the CANDLE, the candle where, if lit, he melts into oblivion; and not even the RACE DAMAGE DIECASTS–because he’s never known a world where he was not frequently confronted with strange simulacra of himself. He was born in the uncanny valley and is at home in it as he is Ornament Valley. He doesn’t blink twice at all the super weirdly-shaped merch that always gives Sally pause.

Lightning actually owns a copy of every piece of merch that has ever been produced for him (not including bootleg merch–in which case, Sterling and Harv’s collections are more complete). Contrary to popular and possibly Lightning’s own belief, this is not the norm for most racers. Most racers have seen the gamut during autograph sessions, or having boxes shipped to give away at sponsor events (and, occasionally, manning their own merch trailer), but most racers do not personally own a lot of their own merch… That’s a holdover habit from Lightning’s lonely rookie year that he also sort of forgot wasn’t normal and has kept up over the years. He doesn’t keep it in his trailer anymore, or really anywhere he can actually see it, but such a collection does exist. 

Mater’s the one who keeps it catalogued and organized, so make of that what you will.

The one piece of recent merch that really does a number on his self-concept, though? 

Sphero McQueen.

LMQ’s not bothered by the scrunch-faced, floppy tire plushies. But Sphero McQueen is a little too realistic, to the point that if he’s tired enough it makes him begin to contemplate doppelganger/evil twin/Freaky Friday kinds of situations. (Even though Sphero is clearly v smol. What is scale?) 

He does not remember ever specifically recording the audio that comes out of the Sphero. Where did it come from? 

It’s unnerving, how well it captures his personality, his mannerisms. How does it do it?

The fact that Sphero likes to come alive in the night doesn’t help either.

Untrustworthy…

👻👻👻👻👻

I drew Sally Carrera as a Wings of Fire character in Part Two of my mini series!! I love her so MUCH!! She's gorgeous and got the beauty of a SeaWing Princess!! ♥️👑👸🐉

And Lightning's there, because he loves her! ❤️

https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdSs5SUg/

And here's the link to my TikTok of this piece!!