you're dead wrong, man

Here are some of my Cal headcanons mostly revolving around how neurodivergent I think he is (definitely not projecting) ⋆˚࿔

He's very anxious. Even when he does his best to seem calm and collected, one can tell by his micro-expressions and twitchy demeanor that he is not nonchalant at all. He's like if nervous was a person.

Loves Lana Del Rey. I can't explain it but he just radiates Lana fan

On the same note (😛), is a frequent guest at karaoke night in Radiator Springs

Prone to "making a face" and not realizing it. Interviewers and fans will often note that he answers questions with a tiny grimace, an ever-present display of discomfort that he doesn't even realize he shows outwardly.

Following that, his relationship with media is not great~ Cal had what he himself describes as a great upbringing, but there's an unavoidable pressure that comes with being the successor to Strip Weathers' throne. Everyone listens a little closer, dissects his words a little more. And in turn makes his autistic/anxious brain a little more uncomfortable. He feels like he's always playing a losing game with the media

Watches edits of himself only because people keep sending it to him 'for some reason'. Doesn't enjoy them at all because they highlight the aforementioned grimace he does. (Maybe if he stopped pretending to find the edits entertaining, people will stop sending them...🤦 Cal vs social convention)

Similarly, he has a laughable amount of his own merch because he doesn't know how to decline the free samples his team keep giving him. Although he doesn't really mind this, clothes are clothes

Even though he has so much of his own merch, somehow he's always showing up to places in Rust-eze gear... Strange.

Recognizes he's struggling but instead of asking for help he just pretends he's super chilled and unbothered. (His friends can all tell he's very bothered. He needs to stop trying to raw-dog life and lean on his loved ones... Hi I'm his therapist. You're not a burden, Cal)

He's Indian-American. There has always been a large South Asian population in southern US, and my best friends belong in that group. Making my Cal, whom I treasure deeply, have South Asian roots is an homage to my friends, in a weird fandomy way.

Resident Lightning McQueen kisser (Cal x Salqueen, perchance?)

Has an album on his phone dedicated to his rookie piston-cup season