We’ve been provided with 9 clips from Pixar’s Cars 2.  A sequel to the 2006 film, Cars 2 finds top-notch racer Lightning McQueen and his best friend Mater heading overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix.  While McQueen is focused on winning the tournament, Mater gets wrapped up in a case of international espionage.  I got the chance to visit Pixar a couple of months ago for the Cars 2 press day, and while I can't say what I thought about the footage they showed us, the interviews with all of the creatives involved with the project were very promising.  It's obvious they worked really hard to tell the best story possible with this flick.  To check out a recap of the Pixar visit, as well as links to my interviews with John Lasseter, Emily Mortimer, Michael Giacchino and more, click here.Directed by John Lasseter, the film features the voice talents of talent of Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Emily Mortimer, Jason Isaacs, Bruce Campbell, John Turturro, Thomas Kretschmann, and Michael Caine. Cars 2 opens in 3D June 24th. Hit the jump to check out the clips.Here are the clips:Here’s the official synopsis:

Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in “Cars 2″ when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret spy mission, Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. Adding to the fast-paced fun is a colorful new all-car cast that includes secret agents, menacing villains and international racing competitors.

-