Aiken Axler

Aiken Axler is a former professional race car and musician. He competed in the Piston Cup Racing Series for several years, driving as No. 28 for the Nitroade-sponsored team. Axler holds multiple top-ten finishes, and according to Mater, is also a champion. In his debut season in 2003, he was awarded the Vitoline Rookie of the Year title.
In addition to his racing career, Axler is also a member of the alternative country jazz trio Three Cycle. According to the Car Finder Game, the group seems to have some degree of popularity, as they performed at the 2004 Piston Cup awards ceremony.
==History==
===Background===
Aiken began his Piston Cup career in 2003, racing as the No. 28 Nitroade-sponsored car. Following this season, he was awarded Vitoline's "Rookie of the Year" title. In subsequent seasons, he placed 12th, 7th, and 8th in the final point standings. Aiken seems to have departed from the circuit between the events of Cars and Cars 3, Because he retired, Phil Tankson has replaced him by the beginning of the latter film. Additionally, he may not have competed in the 2006 series, as Cars: The Videogame depicts No. 52 Joltsen as the Nitroade-sponsored racer.
Together with fellow racer Darrel Draggered, he formed a music trio called Three Cycle. In 2004, they played at the Piston Cup awards ceremony.
===Cars===
In Cars, Aiken is one of the thirty-six Piston Cup racers competing in the Dinoco 400 championship at the start of the film. Early in the race, Aiken is involved in a multi-car wreck instigated by Chick Hicks and can be seen being slammed by Johnny Blamer and possibly Ryan Shields in the start of the incident, suffering minor damages as a result. However, he is quickly buffed out by his pit crew and is able to continue, beginning the official restart at third place. Aiken maintains his upper position throughout the final 100 laps, ultimately finishing in 5th place, behind Kevin Shiftright and tied winners The King, Chick Hicks, and Lightning McQueen.
Aiken only appears as a background character in the first movie and is never shown or mentioned in any of the sequels, assuming he retired permanently, not likely to come back.
===Cars: Hotshot Racing===
Aiken appears as an unlockable playable character in the game Cars: Hotshot Racing. He is a member of the Derby character class.
===The Official Magazine comics===
Aiken has a major role in the Official Magazine comic What'll It Be?. He is revealed to be a friend of Lightning McQueen, and comes to visit the Rust-eze veteran in his hometown of Radiator Springs. McQueen's friends welcome him upon his arrival, with Doc Hudson offering him a drink. Recognizing Axler from his sponsored Nitroade promotions, Ramone hurries to Flo's café to inform her of Aiken's apparent preference for the "strong" high-energy additive. Flo prepares an "Aiken Special" with Nitroade from the vending machine, but when they present it to Aiken, he reveals he does not usually drink Nitroade outside of his advertisements, instead preferring organic biofuel. Luckily, Fillmore's fuel hut is just down the road, and the party relocates there, where Aiken is delighted by Fillmore's custom brew.
==General information ==
===Personality and traits===
According to What'll It Be? it is revealed that Aiken Axler, described by McQueen, is a rather mellow dude as despite being sponsored by Nitroade, he partakes in activities such as Motor Yoga and Tai Road and prefers organic fuels over energy ones such as his sponsor's.
Aiken is a friend of Lightning McQueen. He is also a teammate of the Nitroade Crew Chief, Nitroade Pitty, Nitroade Pitty (wide), and Nitroade Hauler.
===Physical appearance===
Aiken Axler is a Lux Motors Co. Piston Cup Spec V8 with Lightyear racing tires. Aiken's top speed is 190 mph (305 km/h) and has 605 horsepower. His eye color is blue. He has a black livery with orange flame graphics on his sides encircled white stripes. He has the logo of Nitroade on his hood and backsides and the number 28 painted on his sides and roof. He has stickers imitating headlights, with one having 28 on it and an orange spoiler and black rims. Aiken's model is based on the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR.
While practicing meditation, he removes his Nitroade decals, sporting a plain black livery.
==Official profiles and statistics==
===Car Finder Game===
===Meet the Cars===
*Number 28 Nitroade racer, Aiken Axler, captured the 2003 Vitoline Rookie of the Year honors in his first full season of Cup competition. He's finished 12th, 7th, and 8th in the final point standings over the past three years. Off the track, Axler enjoys maintaining his top racing form by obstinate and practicing a form of meditation called Tai Road. He and fellow Piston Cup Racer, Darrel Draggered, formed the alternative country jazz trio "Three Cycle" and performed at the 2004 Piston Cup awards ceremony!
===Pixarpedia===
*Aiken Axler is a Lux Motors Co. Piston Cup V8. His sponsor is Nitroade Hi-Energy Drink and he likes to meditate.
===Cars: Hotshot Racing===
Aiken Hotshot Racing.jpg|Aiken appears as an unlockable playable character in the game Cars: Hotshot Racing.
==List of appearances==
Title 	Year	Notes
Cars 	2006	
Car Finder Game 	2007	
The Rookie 	2009	Cover only
"Cheaters Never Prosper"	2009	The Official Magazine #19
"What'll It Be?" 	2009	The Official Magazine #21
Pixarpedia 	2009	
"The Stolen Flag" 	2012	The Official Magazine #1
Cars: Hotshot Racing 	2015	
==Gallery==
Aiken3.jpg|Promotional artwork
AikenAxlerCars.png|Cars
Aiken xxx.png|Cars
File:Aiken Axler - HIS SCENE.jpeg|Cars
File:Chuck Armstrong - HIS SCENE.jpeg|Cars
File:CarsAikenAxler2.jpg|Cars
File:PC Racers 1.jpg|Cars
File:PiccoloPerryCars.jpg|Cars
File:Ruby-easy-oaks-personnage-cars-01.jpg|Cars
File:EasyIdlethumb.jpg|Cars
File:Aiken Axler in Shiny Wax Pit Stop.PNG|Darren Leadfoot disappeared, Aiken Axler incorrectly placed in the Shiny Wax pit
File:TrunkFreshTeam.jpg|TrunkFreshTeam.jpg|Cars
File:PittiesCarsMSOS.jpg|Cars
File:RomanDunesCars.jpg|Cars
File:EugeneCarbureskiCars1.jpg|Cars
File:Eugene Crash.png|Cars
File:CarsAikenAxler3.jpg|Cars
File:CrustyRotorCars11.jpg|Cars
File:Ryan Crash.png|Cars
File:Aiken Axler before car accident.jpeg|Cars
File:5B4505C9-0F56-46E8-BD59-AF50A350B9C4.jpeg|Cars
File:PitRowMSOSCars.jpg|Cars
File:5EFB8C75-D0F2-471F-B0CA-1CBC78AF8017.jpeg|Cars
Eugene, Aiken, Johnny, The King.png|Cars
File:Darren-leadfoot-personnage-cars-01.jpg|Cars
File:Ernie-gearson-personnage-cars-01.jpg|Cars
File:Cars-disneyscreencaps.com-669.jpg|Cars
File:Cars-disneyscreencaps.com-672.jpg|Cars
File:Ernie-gearson-personnage-cars-02.jpg|Cars
File:Aiken, Greg, Ralph, Murray, Davey.jpg|Cars
File:Kevin Shiftright gets passed by Chick Hicks.jpeg|Cars
File:IMG 0094.jpeg|Cars
File:Captura de tela 2023-09-18 210342.png|Cars
File:IMG 096.jpeg|Cars
KevinShiftrightCars.jpg|Cars
File:IMG 0097.jpeg|Cars
File:Ralph in dinoco 400.png|Cars
File:TheKing4.jpg|Cars
File:IMG 0096.jpeg|Cars
File:IMG ddddd.jpeg|Cars
File:IMG 0100.jpeg|Cars
File:Aa.jpg|Car Finder Game profile
AikenAxlerHotshotRacing.png|Cars: Hotshot Racing
Aiken Hotshot Racing.jpg|Aiken appears as an unlockable playable character in the game Cars: Hotshot Racing.
The Rookie Cover 3rd Issue.jpg|Aiken appearing on a comic book cover.
File:The Rookie Cover 8.jpg|The Rookie
File:The Rookie Cover 7.jpg|The Rookie
Cars Ongoing 00 rev 02.jpg|Aiken appears in Cars (comic)
Cars Ongoing 00 rev 03.jpg|Aiken appears in Cars (comic)
File:CheatersNeverProsper1.png|Cheaters Never Prosper 
File:CheatersNeverProsper2.png|Cheaters Never Prosper 
File:CheatersNeverProsper3.png|Cheaters Never Prosper 
File:CheatersNeverProsper4.png|Cheaters Never Prosper 
File:What'll it Be Page 1.jpg|What'll It Be? 
File:What'll it Be Page 2.jpg|What'll It Be? 
File:Nitroade Ad.jpg|In 2003, Aiken became the Nitroade sponsored car.
Organic Power.jpg|Aiken Axler drinking Organic Power.
Yoga Statue with Aiken Axler.jpg|Aiken Axler during his Tai Road meditation.
File:What'll it Be Page 4.jpg|What'll It Be? 
File:What'll it Be Page 3.jpg|What'll It Be? 
File:The Stolen flag 1.jpeg| The Stolen Flag 
File:Aiken Axler 2006-2010 side.png|Diecast
Nitroade desert.jpg|2006 release
Nitroade supercharged.jpg|2007 release
10cvp08.png|2007 release with Al Oft, Cactus Lightning McQueen, Wingo, Ghostlight Ramone, Doc Hudson, Brand New Mater, Snot Rod, Fillmore, and Claude Scruggs
D400.08.png|2007 release with Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks, Strip Weathers aka "The King", Billy Oilchanger, Claude Scruggs, Todd Marcus, and Crusty Rotor
Nitroade world of cars.jpg|2008 release
File:Nitroade final lap pack.jpg|2010 release with Lightning McQueen, Strip Weathers aka "The King" and Rusty Cornfuel
File:Nitroade hauler final lap pack.png|2010 release with his hauler and pitty
Nitroade wgp single - piston cup.jpg|2013 release
Nitroade cars 2016 single - piston cup.jpg|2016 release
File:Nitroade blue desert single - dinoco 400.jpg|2020 Release
File:Nitroade cars 2021 single.jpg|2021 Release
File:Alan Aiken Axler 2024 Carded.jpg|2024 Release
File:71ZWv8GkB9L.jpg|Riplash Racers released with Darren Leadfoot (cancelled)
File:Aiken Axler Mini Adventures.jpeg|Mini Adventures
==Names in other languages ==
Language 	Name 	Transcription
Polish 	Srebrny Alek	
Russian 	Айкен Экслер	Ayken Éksler
Russian 	Эйкен Экслер	Eyken Éksler
Russian 	Олкен Акслер	Olken Aksler
Ukrainian	Ейкен Екслер	Eyken Eksler
Ukrainian	Ейкен Аксель	Eyken Akselʹ
Ukrainian	Айкен Аклер 	Ayken Akler
==Trivia==
*Aiken is the only background Piston Cup racer in Cars to have a unique car model and manufacturer.
*A replica of Aiken was displayed at 2014 Richard Petty Driving Experience exhibit, where fans could "meet" the car and even ride-along inside either him or Gask-its racer Sage VanDerSpin. Compared to his typical appearance, his livery is reversed, sporting a primarily reddish color.Richard Petty Driving Experience (June 14, 2014). "Meet Aiken Axler and Sage VanderSpin 6/13/14". Facebook.com. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
*In the 2024 diecast line, he is referred to as Alan "Aiken" Axler, for unknown reasons.
*Aiken, James Cleanair, Manny Flywheel & Chuck Armstrong are the only racers not to appear in Lightning McQueen's pre-race monologue.
==References==
Category:Cars characters
Category:Comic characters
Category:Playable characters
Category:Cars Daredevil Garage characters
Category:Team members
Category:Racers
Category:Piston Cup racers
Category:Musicians
Category:Nitroade
Category:Playable characters
Category:Magazine models
de:Aiken Axler
es:Aiken Axler
nl:Aiken Axler
pl:Srebrny Alek
pt-br:Aiken Axler
ru:Айкен Экслер
Category:Characters with Lightyear tires
Category:Male characters