The King in Pixar's Cars races with number 43.
The King is a veteran Piston Cup competitor and one of Lightning McQueen's principal rivals during the film's championship race. His blue Dinoco-liveried design and number 43 identify him as a highly successful established racer.
The character is modeled in part on the real Plymouth Superbird and carries a design associated with classic American stock-car racing. Richard Petty, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, provides The King's voice, adding a direct connection to motorsport history.
The number is not Lightning McQueen's 95 or Chick Hicks's 86. The King is also distinct from the Dinoco sponsor itself: Dinoco is the fictional company whose blue branding appears on his car.