Mater

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Mater's origins are deeply rooted in real-world Route 66 history and NASCAR culture. His name honors Douglas "Mater" Keever, a construction superintendent and die-hard NASCAR fan John Lasseter met at Lowe's Motor Speedway in 2001. Keever introduced himself with the line, "My name's Mater[...]Yeah, like tuh-mater, but without the tuh," which was adopted for the film after Lasseter realized a flatbed concept wasn't working and pivoted to a tow truck pun. His design was inspired by a rusty 1951 International Harvester wrecker found in Galena, Kansas, originally owned by Joe Ranft. Mater's unique ability to drive backwards with extreme precision comes from "Crazy Legs Walker," Dean Walker of the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association, who could twist his feet backward. Historian Michael Wallis noted that character aspects were drawn from locals like Harley Russell, a troubadour in Erick, Oklahoma.

In Their Own Story

In Cars (2006), Mater lives in the near-ghost town of Radiator Springs, owning a salvage yard with little work after the interstate bypassed the area. He befriends Lightning McQueen by inviting him to "tractor tipping," an activity that narrowly escapes the clutches of Frank the combine harvester. During this time, Mater demonstrates his signature move, driving backwards with precision, and promises a helicopter ride if McQueen wins the Piston Cup. After McQueen is forced out of town by Doc Hudson, Mater helps rally the residents to assist in the tie-breaker race, serving on McQueen's pit crew before enjoying the promised flight. In Cars 2 (2011), Mater accompanies McQueen as his crew chief to Tokyo for the World Grand Prix. Mistaken for an American spy after agent Rod Redline plants intel on him, he joins British agents Holley Shiftwell and Finn McMissile. Despite being lashed out at by a disappointed McQueen in Tokyo, Mater infiltrates a secret meeting of the "Lemons" in Porto Corsa, Italy, discovering their plot to sabotage races using defective Allinol fuel.

Reader's Guide

To understand Mater's journey, one must look at his transition from a local tow truck to an accidental hero. In Cars (2006), he is the first resident to support Lightning McQueen, bonding over tractor tipping and proving his mechanical value on the pit crew during the tie-breaker race. His loyalty is tested when Doc Hudson reveals his racing past, leading him to help the town save their friend. The narrative shifts dramatically in Cars 2 (2011), where Mater's innocence becomes a tactical asset. Mistaken for a spy by Holley Shiftwell following Rod Redline's intel transfer, he travels from Tokyo to Paris and Porto Corsa. There, he uncovers the Lemon family's scheme to profit from oil sales by making Allinol fuel explosive. Although McQueen initially rejects him in Tokyo, Mater rushes to warn his friend during the London race, leading to a confrontation where they realize Miles Axlerod is the mastermind. In Cars 3, while staying behind in Radiator Springs, he provides crucial advice that helps McQueen defeat Jackson Storm.

Did You Know?

• Mater's nickname originated from Douglas Keever throwing tomatoes around his family's farm, leading to the line 'like tuh-mater, but without the tuh.'
• The character was originally going to be named Zeb, a choice Larry the Cable Guy felt would lack the same ring as 'Tow Mater'.
• Mater's ability to drive backwards perfectly is based on Dean Walker, known as 'Crazy Legs Walker,' who could walk in reverse by twisting his feet backward.
• For international dubs, Pixar had to find dialects for 44 translations that depicted an uneducated population without being offensive, as the 'redneck' concept didn't translate globally.
• The rusty tow truck that inspired Mater's design was a 1951 International Harvester used in Galena, Kansas, which was later renamed 'Tow Tater' due to copyright reasons.