The King had won seven Piston Cups before the events of Pixar’s Cars.
The King is the nickname of Strip Weathers, an experienced blue race car voiced by Richard Petty. He is one of the sport’s most respected champions and serves as a model of professionalism for Lightning McQueen. His record is stated in the film as seven Piston Cup victories.
The King’s final season becomes a major part of the movie’s conflict. Chick Hicks drives aggressively against him, while McQueen’s reckless ambition contributes to the three-way tie that forces a deciding race. The King later suffers a crash caused by Hicks during the final contest, giving McQueen a chance to demonstrate that winning is not the only measure of a champion.
The character’s voice casting is an intentional motorsport reference: Richard Petty was a real seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. The fictional record therefore echoes Petty’s real racing achievement.