From The Drive · Stephen Edelstein · · 1m 20s
Cars Prequel Fan Film Features NASCAR Icons
Animator creates Cars prequel with 3D models of NASCAR legends.
In brief
Animator creates Cars prequel with 3D models of NASCAR legends. Ariya Alexander Berenji’s Cars fan film uses 3D models of NASCAR icons like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt to tell a prequel story about The King’s early career. Originally reported by The Drive.
Cars Prequel Fan Film
Ariya Alexander Berenji, a self-described aspiring filmmaker with a YouTube channel called R-ya Productions, is making a prequel Cars fan film about how The King earned his crown.
The King’s Early Career
The film centers on a younger version of Richard Petty, wearing a blue-and-orange livery inspired by his later career, to highlight the prequel setting.
NASCAR Livery Details
The blue-and-orange livery combines Petty Blue and STP Orange, a classic NASCAR scheme that has been used since the 1960s.
Other NASCAR Characters
The film features young Chick Hicks, voiced by Michael Keaton, wearing a red-and-gold scheme inspired by Bill Elliott’s Coors-sponsored number nine Ford Thunderbird.
Toni Jo Torque
Toni Jo Torque, a five-time champion and mentor to The King, has a design mixing stock cars and Porsche 935 with livery inspired by Shawna Robinson, Danica Patrick, and Toni Briedinger.
Setting and Nostalgia
Set in the 1980s, the film includes retro locations like Copper Canyon Speedway from Cars 3 and a bowling alley serving frozen coolant.
The takeaway
Ariya Alexander Berenji’s Cars fan film uses 3D models of NASCAR icons like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt to tell a prequel story about The King’s early career.
