NASCAR and Disney Pixar are teaming up on a joint effort to promote the upcoming "Cars 3" film, which includes "cross promotional activities on digital and social media and a 'Cars 3' at-track presence throughout the season," according to Dinah Voyles Pulver of the Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL. As part of the "season-long promotion" in advance of the film's June 3 release, Disney and NASCAR also "launched a co-branded merchandising program with items available at trackside stores." Also to be featured are NASCAR's youth sports program, which is "making tickets available to children under 12 this season," and the NASCAR HOF. An "in-classroom curriculum for elementary school students" is also planned. Disney Senior VP/Worldwide Marketing Partnerships & Special Events Lylle Breier said that the collaboration will "be the biggest" between NASCAR and the "Cars" franchise. Meanwhile, former NASCAR drivers who were in previous movies, including Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Gordon, will "reprise their roles for this movie." They also will "be joined by four of NASCAR's younger drivers, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Daniel Suarez and Bubba Wallace." Waltrip "reprises the role of Darrell Cartrip," and former Charlotte Motor Speedway President Humpy Wheeler "is the voice of Tex Dinoco." The movie also features the voices of Gordon's former crew chief Ray Evernham and Kyle Petty (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 2/24).
