7 Shocking Realities About Chick Hicks' New Life In Cars 3: The Piston Cup Champion You Never See Race
The infamous green racer, Chick Hicks, is back in *Cars 3*, but not in the way fans expected. Instead of seeing the cocky, self-centered Piston Cup champion defending his title on the track, the film presents a dramatically different, and arguably more fitting, career path for Lightning McQueen's former rival. This major shift in his role serves as a crucial narrative device in the 2017 sequel, highlighting the central theme of obsolescence and the relentless march of the "Next-Gen" racers, a topic that remains highly relevant to fans today.
As of December 21, 2025, the details of Chick Hicks' new life as a media personality offer a fresh, cynical perspective on the world of professional racing, a world he only conquered through a controversial, unsportsmanlike move. His transition from a notorious racer to a television host is a brilliant piece of character development that speaks volumes about his ego and his inability to truly compete with the emerging talent.
Chick Hicks' Complete Biography and Career Profile
Chick Hicks, known for his aggressive racing style and signature lime-green paint job, has one of the most tumultuous careers in Piston Cup history. While he finally achieved his lifelong dream of winning the Piston Cup, the victory was hollow, tainted by his intentional crash of Strip "The King" Weathers in the final race of the 2006 season.
- Full Name: Chick "Thunder" Hicks
- Vehicle Model: 1987 Buick Grand National (with a customized, aerodynamic body)
- Racing Number: 86
- Primary Sponsor: Hostile Takeover Bank (HTB) / Cozsen (Early Career)
- Years Active (Racer): 1979–2006
- Career Races: 1,009 races run in 28 years
- Piston Cup Championships: 1 (2006, controversial)
- Primary Rivals: Lightning McQueen, Strip "The King" Weathers
- New Role in *Cars 3*: Host and Commentator for the Racing Sports Network (RSN)
- Voice Actor (Cars 1): Michael Keaton
- Voice Actor (Cars 3): Bob Peterson
The Real Reason Michael Keaton Was Replaced in Cars 3
One of the most immediate changes fans noticed was the voice of Chick Hicks. In the original *Cars* film, Michael Keaton brought a distinct, smarmy quality to the character.
For *Cars 3*, however, Keaton was replaced by veteran Pixar voice actor and director, Bob Peterson.
The reason for the change was a simple scheduling conflict: Michael Keaton was reportedly busy with his role in the Marvel film *Spider-Man: Homecoming* at the time of *Cars 3*'s production.
Bob Peterson, known for voicing iconic Pixar characters like Dug in *Up* and Roz in *Monsters, Inc.*, stepped in to take over the role.
Peterson successfully captured the character's signature arrogance, ensuring that Chick's personality remained intact despite the change in his career path.
The Shocking New Role: RSN Host and Analyst
The biggest reveal about Chick Hicks in *Cars 3* is his surprising career pivot. After his tainted Piston Cup win and the subsequent retirement of "The King," Chick himself retired from racing and immediately launched a career in sports media.
His new job is as the host of his own show on the Racing Sports Network (RSN), titled "Chick's Picks with Chick Hicks."
This role is a perfect fit for his personality. He gets to remain in the spotlight, constantly talking about racing, and—most importantly—he gets to criticize the racers he once competed against, especially his arch-rival, Lightning McQueen.
In his studio, known as Chick Hicks Studios, he provides commentary and analysis, often with a highly biased and self-serving slant.
His presence on RSN is a constant, irritating reminder to McQueen of the world that is moving on without him, a world where even a cheat like Chick can find fame and fortune in retirement.
The Rise of the Next-Gen Racers and Chick's Commentary
Chick Hicks' role as a commentator is pivotal in establishing the central conflict of *Cars 3*: the arrival of the hyper-advanced "Next-Gen" racers.
Chick’s show is the platform through which the film introduces the new statistical and technological revolution in racing. He constantly champions the new generation, led by the antagonist Jackson Storm, while openly mocking the "old-timers" like McQueen.
This commentary serves as a direct jab at McQueen's confidence, making Chick's on-screen appearances feel less like a simple cameo and more like psychological warfare.
The irony is thick: Chick, a racer from the same generation as McQueen and The King, is now using his platform to declare his peers obsolete. This is a classic Chick Hicks move—always finding a way to place himself on the winning side, even if he's no longer on the track.
The Dynamic Duo: Chick Hicks and Natalie Certain
Chick Hicks is often joined on "Chick's Picks" by a new character, Natalie Certain.
Natalie Certain is a highly respected statistical analyst who represents the new, data-driven approach to racing.
She is mathematically gifted and provides the cold, hard numbers that support the superiority of the Next-Gen racers.
The pairing is a fascinating study in contrasts: Chick, the old-school, aggressive racer with a huge ego, and Natalie, the book-smart, objective analyst.
While Natalie presents the facts about the Next-Gen's superior speed and technology, Chick uses those facts to fuel his condescending commentary towards Lightning McQueen.
This dynamic duo perfectly encapsulates the theme of *Cars 3*: the clash between the passion and intuition of the older generation (McQueen, Doc Hudson's legacy) and the cold, calculated efficiency of the new era (Jackson Storm, Natalie Certain's data).
The Legacy of Chick Hicks: A Champion Off-Track
Chick Hicks’ transition to RSN host confirms a few key aspects of his character and career trajectory:
- He was a Capable Racer, but a Better Showman: While his Piston Cup career involved over 1,000 races, he was always overshadowed by McQueen and The King. His retirement suggests he knew his time on the track was limited, and media offered a more stable, high-profile career.
- The Ego Never Dies: His show is named "Chick's Picks," and he hosts it from "Chick Hicks Studios." This is the ultimate expression of his self-centered nature, allowing him to be the center of attention without the physical risk of racing.
- He Represents the "Sellout" Mentality: Having won his Piston Cup through cheating, his new role as a cynical commentator who profits from the sport he once disgraced is a fitting, non-redemptive arc for the character.
The minor, yet significant, role of Chick Hicks in *Cars 3* is a masterful stroke of storytelling. It allows the film to keep a familiar antagonist relevant, not as a physical threat, but as a constant, verbal antagonist who personifies the changing, unforgiving landscape of professional racing.
He is the voice of doubt, the champion of the new machine, and the ultimate reminder to Lightning McQueen that the world of racing is always ready to leave its legends behind.
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