In Pixar’s Cars, which Piston Cup champion is known as The King?

Strip Weathers is the Piston Cup champion known as The King in Pixar’s Cars.

The King is a veteran blue race car modeled largely on the Plymouth Superbird, a famous American performance car associated with stock-car racing. He competes for the Dinoco team and wears the number 43.

In Cars, The King is one of the three cars tied for the final Piston Cup race. He represents experience and sportsmanship, contrasting with Chick Hicks, who uses aggressive tactics to win. The King’s crash during the race helps prompt Lightning McQueen to choose a sportsmanlike action instead of taking the easy victory.

Richard Petty, a real NASCAR champion, provides The King’s English voice. The character’s name, number, team, and voice all connect the fictional Piston Cup world with real stock-car racing history.