In Pixar's Cars, which real NASCAR driver voices the character Strip Weathers?

In Pixar's Cars, Richard Petty voices the character Strip Weathers.

Petty supplies the voice of The King, the veteran racer who competes in the final Piston Cup race. His casting connects the fictional character to NASCAR history because Petty himself is one of the sport's most successful drivers. The King also drives car number 43, the number strongly associated with Petty's racing career.

Richard Petty won the NASCAR Cup Series championship seven times and recorded 200 premier-series victories, making him a particularly fitting voice for an established champion. His son Kyle Petty also appears in the film's voice cast, voicing Cal Weathers, The King's nephew.

Jeff Gordon is another real racing figure connected with Cars, but he voices Jeff Gorvette in Cars 2 rather than Strip Weathers. Darrell Waltrip voices Darrell Cartrip, the announcer, so these drivers are plausible but incorrect alternatives.