Some of the dearest racers in the NASCAR Hall of Fame found their way to the big screen. Their spouses or husbands fetched significant roles as well. As an example, we can see the case of NASCAR legend Richard Petty and his wife, Lynda Petty. They warmed the hearts of millions of children worldwide in a movie that remains a timeless classic among Pixar’s best works – Cars.

Richard Petty was not really a fan of movies, but Pixar director John Lasseter had the tools to convince him. In the movie production process, he even got Petty’s wife to contribute in a lead role in the movie.

Richard Petty’s daughter explains what happened at the Pixar Studio

The Petty Family Racing recently released a video on their YouTube channel, in which we see Sharon Petty Farlow, daughter of Richard Petty and executive director of the Petty Museum. She elaborates at length on her parents’ roles in the movie Cars. Her father traveled to the Pixar Studio to do the role of The King, and his wife Lynda accompanied him. 

Lasseter was not satisfied after roping in the racing legend for the movie. He met Petty’s wife, Lynda and was immediately fascinated by her personality. He said, “And…I met his wife Lynda, and I was so taken by her that, you know, the King has to have a wife, and right then and there we…created Mrs. The King”

Lynda Petty could pick the car she wanted to play in the movie. She thought about it and did not have any hesitation while settling for her pick. She picked the 69 Ford Station Wagon painted in blue. It was a car most dear to her. It was the car she used to drop her kids to school, and even take them to watch their father’s battles on the racetracks. That is how the character Mrs. The King came into being, voiced by a real-life spouse of a prominent racer.

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Richard Petty took a lot of convincing to be in the Cars movie

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Lasseter added authenticity to the movie by the grace of real-life racing legends, and Richard Petty was one of them. Although he is all things races, it was Lasseter’s vision that left a mark on him – ‘Respect people. Respect tradition. Just a good, honest story about how people are supposed to treat people.’ It did not take him long to sign up for the role after.

Lasseter chose Petty and his wife for a reason – they were true legends in the motorsports world. Richard ‘The King’ Petty, according to NASCAR fans, took the chequered flag in 200 Cup races and clinched seven NASCAR titles. Despite all his glorious achievements, he is still down to earth and folksy when it comes to mixing with fans.

Richard Petty’s Personal Secretary Reveals Double-date Stories With The King & Her Hilarious “Claim To Fame” With Son Kyle

For Lynda Petty, she passed away in 2014 after battling cancer. She left a blazing trail of amazing memories as the constant companion of her husband.