The King carries racing number 43 in Pixar’s Cars. He is a blue-and-white veteran competitor voiced by Richard Petty, the real NASCAR driver whose own famous number was 43.
Within the film, The King is a respected Piston Cup champion nearing the end of his career. Chick Hicks deliberately causes a crash that sends The King into the infield during the final race. Lightning McQueen then stops short of victory to help him reach the finish line.
The number 43 is a direct tribute to Petty, who won 200 NASCAR Cup Series races and seven championships. The King’s design also echoes Petty’s Plymouth and sponsorship colors. His storyline contrasts sportsmanship with Chick Hicks’s win-at-all-costs behavior.