“Cars” to premiere May 26 at racetrack

As expected, the world premiere of Pixar’s Route 66-themed movie “Cars” will be at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. The film’s wide release is June 9.

The big difference, however, is the premiere will no longer be an invitation-only event. Instead, it’s going to be a humongous bash, according to the news release.

Paul Newman, Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, NASCAR legends Richard Petty and Darrell Waltrip, and others from the voice cast of the film will be joined by a host of stars from the racing world and 30,000 guests that are expected to attend the “CARS” World Premiere, taking place at the same location as that weekend’s famous Coca Cola 600 NASCAR race. … A series of four giant custom-built outdoor movie screens (115-feet wide and 50-feet tall) will be constructed at Lowe’s Motor Speedway at Turn #2 of the track. … Academy Award-winning filmmaker John Lasseter (“Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Toy Story 2”), who directed “CARS” will also be attending along with producer Darla K. Anderson (“A Bug’s Life,” “Monsters, Inc.”), and other key players from Pixar Animation Studios and The Walt Disney Studios.

Tickets for the premiere will be made available for purchase by the general public starting today. Proceeds will benefit Speedway Children’s Charities, and Association of Hole in the Wall Gang Camps. For tickets, call 1-800-455-FANS, visit the Lowe’s Motor Speedway box office, or order online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.