Disney-Pixar teamed up with NASCAR this weekend during Chase weekend at the Chicagoland Speedway to celebrate the release of the new Cars Take Flight product line and the upcoming TV premiere of several new Cars Toons short films.
The new product line includes die-cast racetracks, games, books and more and is available now at retailers nationwide. Disney has also released a Cars line of collectible, die-cast cars, which was on display at the Chicagoland Speedway.
The Chicagoland Speedway, which took place Friday through Sunday, is the first of ten playoff-style NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in pursuit of the 2012 championship.
Promotional events included a life-size LEGO replica of Lightning McQueen, Cars-themed puzzle-building stations, story time and areas to play the “Cars” video game,
Several NASCAR stars, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon, voiced characters in the first two Cars films, which remains Disney Consumer Products’ leading boys franchise. Two new Car Toons short films, “Air Mater” and “Moon Mater,” will debut this fall on the Disney Channel.
“The Cars Toons shorts have done a great job extending the storytelling and fun that happens in the world of Cars,” says Mary Renner Beech, senior vice president of licensing, Disney-Pixar animation, Disney Consumer Products. “Likewise, Disney-Pixar product designers take the story where only a child’s imagination can go through new toys and products.”