Mack
Mack | |||||||||||
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Vehicle type | 1985 Mack Super-Liner Semi-Hauler | ||||||||||
Occupation | Driver[1] Eggman hauler (formerly) | ||||||||||
Main portrayer(s) | John Ratzenberger Barney Dee (Cars 3: Driven to Win)[citation needed]
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- "What? Did I forget to wipe my mud flaps?"
- —Mack, Cars
Mack is Lightning McQueen's transporter and one of his longest friends. He and McQueen work for the Rust-eze team in the Piston Cup Racing Series, with Mack bringing him to all of his races. Mack became Lightning's transporter after he recommended him to Rusty and Dusty Rust-eze when they were searching for a new spokescar.
History
Background
Prior to becoming a racing hauler, Mack worked transporting Rust-eze products cross-country. During his spare time, Mack enjoyed watching races, with his favorite car being Smell Swell racer Lightning McQueen. When Mack happened to witness McQueen being dropped from his sponsor in favor of Sammy Smelter, Mack suggested Rust-eze, who had been looking for a new spokescar, while not finding success with their previous auditions.
Mack offered to bring McQueen to Boston to discuss the sponsor possibility. Eager for a new sponsorship, McQueen accepted, and the two became fast friends on the journey there. Upon meeting Rusty and Dusty Rust-eze, McQueen discovered that Rust-eze was a somewhat embarrassing mark to bear, making him initially hesitant to accept the job. However, McQueen agreed to take their offer as long as Mack was able to become his transporter. Mack and McQueen remained friends all the way through McQueen's rise to Piston Cup stardom.
Cars
In Cars, Mack is first heard off-screen at the very beginning of the film banging on the trailer, asking McQueen if he is ready. Later, when McQueen is making his way to Mack after the Dinoco 400 at the Motor Speedway of the South, he finds that Mack has parked his trailer at the back of his sponsor's tent, so that McQueen can easily exit after making a personal appearance. However, McQueen hates appearing in front of rusty cars, and desperately tries to sneak through the tent by hiding behind a cardboard cutout of himself, though the board falls over and the rusty cars crowd him.
After leaving the speedway, Mack and McQueen travel the entire day to the Los Angeles International Speedway, where the tie-breaker race will be held. Due to a bet McQueen made with Chick, he tells Mack to drive through the night. Though Mack is nervous about the task, McQueen assures him that he will stay awake with him, though he falls asleep shortly after, leaving Mack alone and sleepy on the highway. DJ, Boost, Snot Rod and Wingo mess with Mack as he dozes off, causing a trophy inside the trailer to fall down, releasing McQueen from the rear exit. Lightning wakes up in the middle of the highway, and in a panic, tries to figure out what has happened. Thinking quickly, McQueen tries to search for Mack, but is unable to locate him because of the many haulers that look just like him. Noticing a truck taking an exit, McQueen rushes toward it, while narrowly avoiding an oncoming train. When McQueen finally catches up to the truck, he finds out that it is not actually Mack, but rather an irritated Peterbilt named Jerry Recycled Batteries.
Upon his arrival at the speedway, Mack opens his trailer to reveal McQueen to the swarming press, but everyone is confused when they realize McQueen's absence. Meanwhile, Lightning McQueen finds himself in the small town of Radiator Springs, where he is sentenced to community service and unable to leave.
A few days after McQueen's disappearance, the press receive a call from Doc Hudson about McQueen's location, and Mack, along with hundreds of other reporters and camera cars, come to retrieve Lightning. McQueen, though happy to be reunited with Mack, is hesitant to leave the new friends he made. Nonetheless, McQueen is taken to the Los Angeles International Speedway where he begins to prepare for the tie-breaker race, with Mack serving as the sole member of his pit crew. However, while Lightning is taking practice laps, his friends from Radiator Springs show up and join Mack in McQueen's pit crew.
After Lightning assists Strip Weathers to the finish line in an act of sportsmanship, Tex Dinoco offers McQueen the Dinoco sponsorship. McQueen declines, instead wishing to stick with Mack and the other friends he has made through the Rust-eze sponsorship.
During the film's credits, Mack and many other inhabitants of Radiator Springs and its surrounding areas go to the Radiator Springs Drive-In Theatre, where they watch Monster Trucks, Inc., Toy Car Story, and A Bug's Life. After hearing Yeti, Hamm, and P.T. Flea speak in their respective films, he criticizes them for repetition. This is a reference to how Mack, Hamm, Yeti, and P.T. Flea are all performed by John Ratzenberger.
Cars: The Videogame
In Cars: The Videogame, the 2006 Piston Cup season is starting soon, so Mack tells McQueen to get some practice by competing in road races and helping his friends around town. Mack transports McQueen to all five of the season's races, each time greeting McQueen with a positive attitude.
Before the fourth Piston Cup race at Smasherville Speedway, Mack is traveling along Interstate 40 while McQueen is practicing around town. Boost, DJ, Wingo, and Snot Rod work together to perform a heist, and they manage to make off with Lightning's Gear by putting Mack to sleep, opening his trailer, and collecting the goods. Right as they start to make their getaway, Snot Rod unleashes a sneeze, waking Mack up in time to figure out what has happened. He phones Sheriff in Radiator Springs, who informs McQueen of the problem. Seeking revenge, McQueen races out to the Interstate, where he catches up to the delinquents and steals his gear back. The four are arrested and brought to the Radiator Springs Municipal Impound, where they admit they were hired by Chick Hicks.
In the hub world, Mack stays parked outside Flo's V8 Café, greeting McQueen when he passes by. He is mostly tired, yawning to get rest.
Cars: Radiator Springs Adventures
In Cars: Radiator Springs Adventures, Mack appears during Drive-In And Out, as one of the characters the player must clear a path for.
Mater and the Ghostlight
In Mater and the Ghostlight, Mack appears at Flo's V8 Cafe with all the other townsfolk, listening to the Sheriff tell the story of the Ghostlight, After the story is over, he helps the others pull a prank on Mater by putting a lamp on his tow hook.
Cars: Mater-National Championship
While Mack does not appear in Cars: Mater-National Championship, some data found within the game's files seems to suggest that Mack was intended to appear.
The World of Cars Online
In The World of Cars Online, Mack could be found outside of Flo's V8 Cafe, greeting customers.
Cars: Race-O-Rama
Mack does not play a large role in Cars: Race-O-Rama. He appears in Mack Track Challenge, where the player must use his trailer to do a big jump. Mostly in the game, he is the transporter that helps the player get to different places in the game.
Cars 2
In Cars 2, Mack is still working with the Piston Cup, continuing his occupation as Lightning's team hauler. He is briefly seen at the beginning when Lightning returns to Radiator Springs. He does not accompany him to the World Grand Prix, instead choosing to stay in Radiator Springs. Towards the end of the film, Mack makes a remark to Lizzie about how Mater and Holley Shiftwell are "perfect for each other."
Cars 3
Mack returns in Cars 3, in which he transports McQueen to the 2016 and 2017 Piston Cup races. They travel through various areas, including a large mountain range, a small bridge crossing a stream, and over a highway bridge.
Cars 3: Driven to Win
Mack is an unlockable playable character in Cars 3: Driven to Win, making his playable debut in a Cars game. He is unlocked by collecting the 10 Mack hats that are spread across the Thomasville Playground map.
Cars Land
Mack appears in the Cars Land attraction, Radiator Springs Racers, when the riders enter the dark tunnel. After the riders hear Minny say "Van, are we lost again?", the riders swerve around Mack, Minny, and Van.
General information
Physical description
Mack is based on a 1980s-era Mack Super-Liner semi cab, with a compatible trailer. His license plate is RUSTEZ3. Other photos indicate that his license plate is also RUSTEZ4.
Mack's cab is painted red, and has a chrome grille with his name on it. The trailer he hauls around is red and grey, showing Lightning McQueen, the Rust-eze logo, the number 95, and Lightning's name painted on each side. He has aluminum rims, resembling 2005–present Ford F-450/F-550 Super Duty trucks (albeit 10-holes instead of 8; though he does have 8-holes in Cars: The Videogame).
Personality and traits
Mack is incredibly loyal to his friends, particularly McQueen. As Lightning's transporter, Mack does his best to adhere to the race car's wants, though their wishes do not always line up. Mack supports Lightning in times of need, such as when Lightning did not have a pit crew at the tie-breaker race in Los Angeles, and Mack stepped in to serve until Hudson and more of McQueen's friends showed up.
Mack thinks positively about his job, and he is always eager to transport McQueen to his next race. He seems to enjoy long road trips, especially when he is able to listen to music. The music can be distracting to Mack, however, and he often has trouble staying awake when driving late at night.
Additionally, Mack can occasionally act childish, doing things like making funny faces to his reflection on the back of a tanker truck.
Though Mack is mostly friendly to McQueen, he can also be stern, making sure that McQueen is practicing enough during the off-season to stay in shape.
Powers and abilities
Mack is a very strong and heavy vehicle, allowing him to pull Lightning's trailer with ease. However, he often dozes off while doing so, allowing him to be pushed around by other cars on the highway.
Mack also has racing abilities, being able to hold his own in road races against his friends, as seen in Cars 3: Driven to Win. He can also deploy and shoot weapons like Missiles and Machine Guns.
Appearances
- For this subject's list of appearances, see Mack/Appearances.
Profiles and statistics
Cars
- Bios
- "Endless days on the road and sleepless nights criss-crossing the country . . . For some this life would quickly grow old. But not Mack. No sir. Mack knows how important his role is . He's driving Lightning McQueen, the world's fastest racecar. He's part of a team, and everybody knows there's no I in team, just like there's no I in Mack."[2]
- "If Mack is one thing, he's loyal, and when his boss Lightning McQueen needs help he'll help, even if it means slapping two gas can rigs on and turning himself into a one man pit crew."[2]
Cars 2
- Bios
- "Mack is Lightning McQueen's trusted long-haul driver, crisscrossing the country from race to race, always with a smile on his grill. After dropping Lightning off in Radiator Springs with his fourth Piston Cup championship trophy, Mack sets off with the rest of the pit crew for a well-deserved vacation. Who knew that Lightning would end up jetting off to a race around the globe in the World Grand Prix?"[3]
Cars 3
- Bios
- "If there is one vehicle that has been with McQueen since nearly the very beginning, it's Mack. Although he's technically a race transporter, Mack is so much more than just a part of Team McQueen. Mack is McQueen's confidant, his good friend, and his sounding board. He's always reliable, always there, and always ready to roll, whether it's to get McQueen to the demolition derby or transporting him all the way to the Florida 500."[4]
Portrayals
- John Ratzenberger - All appearances, excluding Cars 3: Driven to Win
Gallery
- For this subject's image gallery, see Mack/Gallery.
Names in other languages
- Bulgarian: Мак (transcription: Mak)
- Finnish: Make
- Japanese: まっく (transcription: Makku)
- Lithuanian: Makas
- Norwegian: Mål
- Polish: Maniek
- Russian: Мак (transcription: Mak)
- Serbian: Мек
- Ukrainian: Мак (transcription: Mak)
Trivia
- The wind deflector on Mack's roof actually resembles a trucker cap, which is often worn by many truck drivers in real life. This is noticeable due to the prominent visor protruding above his windshield (eyes).
- Mack and Lizzie are the only inhabitants of Radiator Springs that do not travel to England in Cars 2.
- Mack is the only Piston Cup team hauler that is a Mack Trucks vehicle. Other haulers are Aeroliner Semi Haulers. The "Next Generation" semi haulers come from their own manufacturer as well, Next-Gen.
- He is also the only Mack Trucks vehicle to appear in the franchise, even though its likely there are more of his make out there.
- While his trailer is completely identical to the other Piston Cup haulers' trailers, Mack's is the only one that strangely lacks a satellite dish.
- The dog-shaped hood ornament on Mack's hood is not "car-ified".
- Mack is one of the 12 characters who appeared in all three films.
- In the deleted scene of the Paris race for Cars 2, Mack can be seen in McQueen's pit possibly meaning that he was going to have a bigger role in the film.
- Cars 3: Driven to Win is his first playable appearance.
Quotes
- "Hey, kid! Congrats on the tie!" - Cars
- "I parked it over at your sponsor's tent." - Cars
- "You gotta make your personal appearance." - Cars
- "California, here we come!" - Cars
- "What? Did I forget to wipe my mud flaps?" - Cars
- "After all, 'Gas Can' is my middle name." - Cars
- "Hey, kid! You ready go after that Piston Cup?" - Cars: The Videogame
- "Well, you said it... just as soon as you get some practice." - Cars: The Videogame
- "Besides, they just don't let anybody with four wheels race for the Piston Cup you know..." - Cars: The Videogame
- "Oh, these best friend greetings. They get longer every year!" - Cars 2
- "Oh, those two are perfect for each other." - Cars 2
- "Hey, Lightning, you ready?" - Cars 3
- "Rust-eze Racing Center, here we come! Good times ahead." - Cars 3
- "Ah, just leave it to me, boss. I am a master of disguise." - Cars 3
- "You sir, are officially incognito. Nobody's bothering you." - Cars 3
- (Cruz Ramirez: "Mack! Pull over!") "What? Now?" - Cars 3
- (Cruz Ramirez: "Now!") "Ahh! Okay, okay! Pulling over, pulling over!" - Cars 3
- "Hey, uh, boss, it's time to hit the road." - Cars 3
- "Hey, boss, they're, uh.. calling the racers to the track." - Cars 3
References
[Edit] Cars: Radiator Springs Adventures
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Characters | Lightning McQueen • Doc Hudson • Mater • Sheriff • Luigi • Guido • Sarge • Ramone • Flo • Lizzie • Tractors • Chick Hicks • Mack • Snot Rod • Boost • DJ • Wingo • Cletus • Zeke • Tommy Joe • Buford • Judd • Lewis |
Mini-Games | Hip-Hop It Up • Fill `Er Up • Doc's Tune Up • Sarge's Boot Camp • Drive-In And Out • Luigi's Fantastico Fun! • Radiator Springs Curios • Tow The Line • Tractor Roundup • Speed Trap • Chopper-Hopper |
Legends Races | Chick Hicks • Doc Hudson • Sheriff • Ramone • Sarge • Mater • Luigi • Flo • Lizzie • Tractor |
Further info | Gallery • Beta elements • Staff |
[Edit] Mater and the Ghostlight
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Characters | Mater • Lightning McQueen • Doc Hudson • Sally • Sheriff • Luigi • Guido • Fillmore • Sarge • Ramone • Flo • Lizzie • Red • Stanley • Tractors • Frank • Mack • Vroomaroundus Bugus • Screamin' Banshee |
Related material | Ghosting Mater • Mater and the Ghost Light • Mater and the Ghostlight die-casts |
[Edit] Cars 3: Driven to Win
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Playable Characters | Lightning McQueen • Cruz Ramirez • Mater • Sally • Ramone • Guido • Bobby Swift • Brick Yardley • Chick Hicks • Natalie Certain • Arvy • Dr. Damage • Miss Fritter • Cam Spinner • Rich Mixon • Jackson Storm • Junior Moon • Louise Nash • River Scott • Smokey • Mack •Luigi • Sheriff • Fillmore • Flo • Sarge • Tractors • Siddeley • Bill • Frank • Ucchi • High Impact • Bill • Broadside • Airborne • Darrell Cartrip • Doc Hudson |
Locations | Radiator Springs • Florida International Speedway • Smokey's Automotive Service |
[Edit] Miss Fritter's Racing Skoool
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Characters | Lightning McQueen • Cruz Ramirez • Jackson Storm • Miss Fritter • Dr. Damage • Arvy • Faregame • Cigalert • Taco • Mr. Drippy • Mater • Luigi • Guido • Mack • Haulena Fecho • Gale Beaufort |
Cast | Keith Ferguson • Cristela Alonzo • Lea DeLaria • Jeremy Maxwell • Bob Peterson • Jason Pace • Asher Terra |
Crew | James Ford Murphy • Marc Sondheimer • John Lasseter • Michael Daley • Kevin Rose-Williams • Jake Monaco • Samuel Lehmer • Kenny Pickett • Miguel Zozaya |