The King finishes in third place after the three-car Piston Cup finale in Pixar's Cars.
The King is Strip Weathers, the veteran racer sponsored by Dinoco. In the final race, he competes against Lightning McQueen and Chick Hicks. Lightning and Chick finish tied for first after Lightning stops to help The King recover from a crash, so The King is the racer who crosses the line in third.
The result is important to the film's moral resolution. Chick Hicks wins the official result after Lightning refuses to accept victory by leaving The King behind, but the crowd rejects Chick's unsportsmanlike behavior. The King receives respect for his long career, while Lightning earns admiration by choosing sportsmanship over an immediate championship.
The King is voiced by Richard Petty, a real NASCAR champion. His design and career position evoke the tradition of veteran stock-car racing, but The King is a fictional character. Strip Weathers should not be confused with Lightning's mentor Doc Hudson, whose racing number is 51.