Next year, Owen Wilson's Lightning McQueen will return for another race in "Cars 3." However, when he does, it'll be as a veteran, not the hotshot rookie he once was. According to director Brian Fee, this ushers in a few new characters, including a trainer as well as a new antagonist.

“Think of where he’d be in his career now in real time," Fee explained to ScreenRant. "[McQueen] is not an old man, but he’s one of the older cars on the circuit with new rookies coming in. People start to wonder and ask when he might retire."

"Everyone can relate to feeling like someone is at their heels, that they might be a little outdated in something they used to be very good at, feeling an expiration date. And knowing you need someone to help you get a second chance," he added.

Enter Cruz Ramirez, a Hispanic female trainer who hopes to teach McQueen a few new tricks. Ramirez -- a yellow race car, as pictured above -- will prepare to race off-season in the Florida 500 with McQueen.

McQueen will also find a new challenger in Jackson Storm, a young upstart of a car. Of the character, Fee said, "Jackson Storm is the face of these rookies who have come onto the scene. And McQueen is in a position where his entire racing generation is being pushed out. But it’s too early to be shown the door right now.”

No casting has yet been announced for the new characters.

Starring Larry the Cable Guy, Bonnie Hunt, Cheech Marin and more, "Cars 3" is scheduled to race into theaters on June 16th, 2017.