The Piston Cup champion voiced by Richard Petty in Pixar’s Cars is The King.
The King is the nickname of Strip Weathers, a veteran blue race car who competes for the Dinoco team. He is portrayed as experienced, respected, and near the end of his racing career. His calm professionalism contrasts with the impulsiveness of Lightning McQueen and the aggression of Chick Hicks.
Richard Petty, a real NASCAR legend, provides The King’s voice. The character is a fictional counterpart to Petty’s racing persona, and the casting gives the film a direct connection to American stock-car racing. The King’s wife, nicknamed Mrs. The King, is voiced by Petty’s real-life wife, Lynda Petty.
The King’s number is 43, another reference to Richard Petty’s famous NASCAR number. He is not the same character as Doc Hudson, whose racing identity is the Fabulous Hudson Hornet.