# Cars Prequel Fan Film Features NASCAR Icons

> Animator creates Cars prequel with 3D models of NASCAR legends.
- Title: Cars Prequel Fan Film Features NASCAR Icons · The Drive
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: ariya alexander berenji, cars, nascar, richard petty, dale earnhardt, prequel, 3d models, nascar liveries, chick hicks, toni jo torque, technology, Fan
- Source: The Drive — https://thedrive.com/news/this-animator-is-making-a-cars-prequel-film-with-spot-on-3d-models-of-nascar-icons
- Author: Stephen Edelstein
- Published: 2026-10-03T18:36:28+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ariya alexander berenji, cars, nascar, richard petty, dale earnhardt, prequel, 3d models, nascar liveries, chick hicks, toni jo torque, technology
## 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.
## Key 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.