Holding the world premiere of a movie about race cars at a North Carolina speedway turned out to be an inspired idea on May 26, 2006, as Hollywood actors mixed with racing legends, local sports stars and country musicians for the first showing of the Disney and Pixar animated movie "Cars." Here, "Cars" star Owen Wilson and four pit crew girls pose before the screening at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.
No stranger to the speedway, veteran actor and race car driver Paul Newman waves to the crowd as he arrives for the premiere of the Disney and Pixar animated film "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006. Newman voices the character of Doc Hudson, a beat-up 1951-vintage Hudson Hornet with, of course, gorgeous blue eyes.
Actor Paul Newman smiles after completing several laps around the speedway in a 1951 Hudson Hornet on May 24, 2006, two days before the premiere of the movie "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. Newman was estimated to be going 90-100 mph, but since he wants it to go even faster, the vintage car is being re-geared.
Bonnie Hunt, voice of the character Sally Carrera, walks the red carpet at the world premiere screening of the Disney and Pixar movie "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006. Hunt plays a beautiful 2002 Porsche 911 who gets tired of living in the fast lane.
Cheech Marin, the voice of Ramone, arrives on the red carpet at the world premiere screening of the Disney and Pixar movie "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006. In the movie, Ramone is a 1959 Chevy Impala and an artist of car body art.
Jenifer Lewis, the voice of Flo, does an interview with "Extra" host Jerry Penacoli at the world premiere screening of the Disney and Pixar movie "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006. Lewis' character in the movie is a sassy lady who runs the V-8 Caf
Actor Owen Wilson, the voice of Lighting McQueen, waves to the crowd at the world premiere screening of the Disney and Pixar movie "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006. Wilson's character is a hotshot race car lost in the forgotten town of Radiator Springs.
Country music star Brad Paisley attends the world premiere screening of the Disney and Pixar movie "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006. Paisley performed at the premiere.
Michael Wallis, the voice of Sheriff, attends the world premiere screening of the Disney and Pixar movie "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006. In the movie, Sheriff is a '49 Mercury Cruiser police car who's had a few too many doughnuts in his time.
Mario Andretti is, of course, the voice of his own legendary self in "Cars." He posed on the red carpet with Katherine Helmond, the voice of Lizzie, at the world premiere screening of the Disney and Pixar movie "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006.
NASCAR legend Richard Petty, whose voice also is heard in "Cars," attends the world premiere screening of the Disney and Pixar movie at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006.
Dan Whitney, better known as Larry the Cable Guy, mugs for the crowd alongside his pregnant wife, Cara Whitney, as they arrive for the premiere of the animated film "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006. Whitney is the voice of a rusty-but-trusty tow truck in the animated movie.
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his mother, Brenda Jackson, arrive for the premiere of the animated film "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006.
Another NASCAR legend, Darrel Waltrip, attends the world premiere screening of the movie "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006.
Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter escorts two beauties into the world premiere screening of the movie "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith brought his family to the world premiere screening of the movie "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006.
NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson and his wife, Chandra, attend the world premiere screening of the movie "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006.
Owen Wilson, the voice of Lighting McQueen, and movie producer Darla Anderson attend the world premiere screening of the movie "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006.
Paul Newman, left, shakes hands with Larry The Cable Guy before unveiling the animated film "Cars" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 26, 2006.