Pixar probably isn’t about to give us a gritty NASCAR-inspired Cars prequel anytime soon, so one talented fan has decided to build it himself. Judging by the early character models, the idea has plenty of potential.
The project is called King, and it follows a much younger Strip Weathers decades before Lightning McQueen arrived on the scene. This version hasn’t earned seven Piston Cups, joined Dinoco, or even picked up his famous “The King” nickname yet.
Animator and aspiring filmmaker Ariya Alexander Berenji is developing the unofficial film through his R-ya Productions YouTube channel. He says it will be much larger in scope and length than his previous animated work, which included a Star Wars fan film centered on Darth Vader.
The story is set over 20 years before the original Cars, taking viewers into an earlier era of the franchise’s racing world. Berenji says the characters and locations are already taking shape.
Dale Earnhardt Is Joining The Grid
One of the coolest additions so far is a Cars-style interpretation of Dale Earnhardt Sr. The 3D model wears Earnhardt’s famous number three and familiar black paint scheme, although the real-world Goodwrench branding has been replaced with the fictional “Sidewall Shine.”
Berenji says the character will be one of 37 racers appearing in the film. Artist Yuinesko created the model, while Willian A. handled the rigging.
The connection fits naturally with Strip Weathers himself. Richard Petty, another seven-time NASCAR champion, voiced The King in Pixar’s original 2006 movie, while the character’s design famously resembles Petty’s Plymouth Superbird.
The King Looks Very Different
Young Strip Weathers won’t wear the simple Dinoco blue familiar from the original movie. Instead, his blue-and-orange color scheme draws from the iconic Petty Blue and STP Orange combination associated with Richard Petty’s later NASCAR career.
Chick Hicks is returning as well, although he hasn’t adopted his familiar green appearance yet. His younger version wears red and gold, with inspiration coming from Bill Elliott’s famous number nine Ford Thunderbird.
There’s also an original character named Toni Jo Torque, nicknamed “The Queen.” She’s a five-time champion who serves as a mentor to Weathers and Hicks, with a design mixing stock-car proportions with elements of a Porsche 935.
This Is A Fan Project, Not A Pixar Movie
The film will revisit Copper Canyon Speedway from Cars 3 while adding new locations, including a bowling alley and an ice cream parlor serving “frozen coolant.” Its 1980s setting also gives the environments a deliberately retro appearance.
Berenji plans to share concept art, asset reveals, and behind-the-scenes updates as production continues. He’s also recruiting artists experienced in areas such as 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, and animation.
There’s no release date yet, and King is an unofficial fan production rather than a Pixar project. Still, a young Strip Weathers racing alongside a Cars-ified Dale Earnhardt is exactly the sort of deep-cut motorsport idea that could make this worth following.