Lightning McQueen, typically referred to by his surname McQueen, is an anthropomorphic racecar and the main protagonist in the 2006 animated Pixar film Cars. He was named after Pixar animator Glenn McQueen ; it was erroneously believed after the film debuted that the name was influenced by actor and noted racing buff Steve McQueen.[citation needed] He is based on generic NASCAR vehicles, but with design influences from the Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper . Late in the film, he is painted much like the Chevrolet Corvette C1. He is voiced by actor Owen Wilson in the film, Mater and the Ghostlight, the video game and Keith Ferguson in Cars Toons, Cars Mater-National, and Cars Race-O-Rama.