The King

Strip "The King" Weathers
Color	Blue
Occupation	Former Piston Cup Racecar
Main portrayer(s)	Richard Petty
Character information Alias(es) The King Old Daddy Rabbit Old Man Mr. The King Gender Male

""You got more talent in one lugnut than a lot of cars has got on their whole body. But you're stupid.""

—'Strip Weathers', Cars, [[{{{3}}}]]

Strip Weathers, known by most as The King, was the Dinoco race car, before retiring after the 2005 season.

History

Cars

The King speaks to Lightning in Cars.

In Cars, The King tied for first place with Lightning McQueen and Chick Hicks in the Piston Cup final, so a tie-breaking race was scheduled in California. He races for the team "Dinoco". The King attempts to offer McQueen a dime's worth of free advice, saying it is the crew, not the racer, that wins races. But Lightning was too distracted to pay attention. At the race in Los Angeles, The King led for most of the time until Lightning used a trick from Doc Hudson to get onto the track after Chick rammed him onto the infield during the final lap. After getting frustrated that he wasn't going to win, Chick hits The King and sent him flying through the air above the infield and get damaged upon contact of the ground. McQueen, with a moment of conscience and is fearful that Weathers will be doomed to the same fate as Doc, helped him make it to the finish line, much to everyone's amazement.

Cars: The Video Game

The King racing at Palm Mile Speedway.

In Cars: The Video Game, The King returns as a playable character. While retired, he is still an unlockable character for 12,000 bonus points in Piston Cup races. As a result, Darrell Cartrip's commentary lines include "It sure is nice to have Weathers back on the track!" He is only playable in the Piston Cup races in Arcade and Vs. Modes. Strangely, he doesn't appear in Story Mode. However, he was mentioned in the cutscene for Palm Mile Speedway where Darrell Cartrip says that it's now going to be Lightning vs. Chick with the King retired.

Disney Infinity

In Disney Infinity, The King appears many times as a racing opponent. He also appears in some cutscenes, including one where he talks to Luigi.

General information

Physical appearance

The King is painted Dinoco Blue, with the Dinoco sponsor and number "43". On his trunk, he has a giant, tall blue spoiler. Strip is based on a 1970 Plymouth Superbird with a 426 ci hemi (about seven liters) engine, the same model Richard Petty drove. The Superbird was a heavily modified version of the Plymouth Road Runner, specifically designed for stock car racing. Its radical design was later banned by NASCAR. The King features slightly bigger wheels and a shortened wheelbase - an edit only for the film to make the car more visually appealing.

Personality and traits

The King is kind and caring about others, much unlike Lightning McQueen's former persona. He enjoys the quiet of his home, and spending time with his wife, Lynda Weathers, and his friends, such as Luke Pettlework.

Powers and abilities

The King is one of the most well-known racers of all time, known for his seven Piston Cup wins, and being the racer chosen to sport the blue Dinoco paint job and logos.

Appearances

• Cars
• Cars: The Video Game
• Disney Infinity

Profiles and statistics

Cars

• ""The King," Strip Weathers, has seen it all. From his humble beginnings on the Piston Cup circuit, to the glitzy sponsorship and media attention he has today. This seven time Piston Cup Champion is the winningest racecar in all of Piston Cup history. He's loved every second of his racing career, but truth be told, The King is ready for a slower pace. He's looking forward to more time with his queen, Mrs. the King."

Cars: The Video Game

• Stats
  • Speed: 5
  • Acceleration: 4
  • Handling: 3
  • Stability: 4

Portrayals

• Richard Petty - All appearances

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Strip Weathers/Gallery.

Quotes

• "Hey, buddy. You're one gutsy racer." - Cars
• "Thanks Junior, appreciate it." - Cars
• "You just gave up the Piston Cup, you know that." - Cars
• "You got more talent in one lugnut than a lot of cars has got on their whole body. But you're stupid." - Cars
• "What are you doin', kid?" - Cars
• "You just gave up the Piston Cup. You know that?" - Cars
• "Alright, you're showing some smarts there." - Cars: The Video Game
• "So you like to win, do you?" - Cars: The Video Game

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Polish	Pan Król	Mr. King
Ukrainian	Пан Король	Mr. King

Trivia

• The King's crash seems to be a re-creation of Petty's real-life Daytona 500 accident in 1988 with the exception that it was not caused by a collision with another driver as in the movie. The bit which McQueen assists him to the finish line seems to be based on the 1976 incident, albeit by the pit crew.
• In the Danish version, The King is voiced by eight-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen.
• In the Finnish version, The King is voiced by Finnish two-time Formula One World Champion Mika Häkkinen.
• In the German version, he is voiced by Austrian three-time Formula One World Champion Niki Lauda.