Chick Hicks

**Chick Hicks** is the main antagonist of the 2006 film Cars. He also appears in its sequel Cars 3.

## Background

### Personality

Even to his own minions, Chick is extremely rude, arrogant, and self-centred, and loves winning like Lightning McQueen was at the start of the film; however, these traits are more exaggerated in Chick and often make him more ridiculous or obnoxious. Chick always brags about winning, and he's also sarcastic and intimidating. Having lived all his career in the shadow of the King has made him bitter and devoid of any sense of fair-play which makes him resort to cheating his way into winning by knocking other racers out of the race. He even intentionally bumped into and caused the King to crash, despite the fact that he was going to retire anyway.

Chick largely serves as a parallel to McQueen. They are both racers who dream of getting at Dinoco, which represents the peak of success. McQueen, however, learned to accept that helping others is more important than fame and fortune after choosing to concede the Piston Cup to Chick so he can help the King finish his last race. Chick, on the other hand (despite having won his first Piston Cup by cheating), never learned from the lesson that helping others is more important than fame and fortune and let his selfishness, anger and arrogance be his downfall. Chick serves as an example of what McQueen would have become if the latter had gotten too caught up in his selfishness and arrogance.

During the events of the third film, despite being a reporter, Chick Hicks still remains an unpleasant and selfish bully. He mocks McQueen for being no match to Jackson Storm and once again shows that he lets his anger and arrogance control his actions. He even brags to the audience about the Piston Cup he won and presents his trophy next to him, which also shows that he is still rude, even proclaiming himself as a Piston Cup winner and "Champion for all ages".

## Film Appearances

### Cars

Hicks is in a three-way tie with the King and Lightning McQueen and is attempting to win the Piston Cup. His nickname is "The Runner-Up", as he seems to always lose to the King. He also has the reputation of not racing fairly:

"Chick Hicks is a racing veteran with a chip on his shoulder, a ruthless competitor who has cheated his way into more second-place finishes than any other car. He's been counting down the seasons to the King's retirement so that he can take over the coveted Dinoco sponsorship, but he never expected such fierce competition from hotshot rookie Lightning McQueen."[1]

"In Lightning McQueen's worst nightmares not only does Chick Hicks win the Piston Cup, but he wins over Dinoco as well."[1]

Chick's primary sponsor is the Hostile Takeover Bank (htB), and his car number is 86.

Chick ties with the King and Lightning in the Piston Cup championship, forcing the three racers to compete in a tiebreaker race. Chick later mocks McQueen on winning the Piston Cup and sponsorship of Dinoco. Lightning retaliates by nicknaming Chick "Thunder" due to that thunder always comes after lightning, much to Chick's intense annoyance. However, he later shows off with this new nickname after Lightning disappears in Radiator Springs, wooing his fans and stealing Lightning's catchphrase.

Chick makes numerous attempts to force Lightning out of the final race, such as mocking him, only to be outrun by him in spite it. Frustrated and angered being on second place, Chick then intentionally sideswipes the King with the PIT Manoeuvre during the final lap, causing him to spin out of control, go airborne, and be sent into a roll for nearly 50 yards on the track's infield grass, even though it was the King's final race anyway. When Lightning sees what has happened to the King on the jumbotron of the track, he stops before crossing the finish line and goes back to help the King across the line. Although this allows Chick to win first place and his first Piston Cup title (though for what he did to the King with his illegal move, he didn't deserve it), nobody cheers him on once he does because they're sick of his dirty tricks, and instead cheer on Lightning for helping the King as respect, though some fans including Albert Hinkey cry and express emotion when they witness McQueen forego his chances of winning.

As Chick gets on stage to collect his trophy and celebrate his victory, he expects them to celebrate with him, but instead, the fans turn on him, branding him a cheater. They fire confetti at him rather than using it as a celebration, boo him off the stage, and throw things at him, forcing him to make a quick getaway with his trophy and making him realize the "Chick era" was over before it even started.

It is unknown what happens to Chick afterward, but it appears that he has been denied the sponsorship by Dinoco as Tex instead tries to offer it to Lightning for his good sportsmanship.

### Cars 3

Chick Hicks returned in the third film with a minor role, being voiced by Bob Peterson since Keaton was unable to reprise the role (possibly due to him being busy with Spider-Man: Homecoming). In the film, Chick has retired from racing and is the host for the show Chick's Picks with Chick Hicks. He gives boisterous commentary for recent Piston Cup results and often shares the stage with statistical analyst Natalie Certain. He also brings up his one Piston Cup win when he gets the chance and proudly features his trophy next to him. He also cracks jokes at McQueen's losses when next-gen racers including Jackson Storm take over the racing sport. When Storm wins the Gears and Glory 450 at the Heartland Motor Speedway, Chick accompanies him on the winners' podium so he can interview him. Additionally, McQueen (after having an argument with Cruz Ramirez) is watching Chick on Mack's television, where Chick is giving a report on McQueen's experience at the Thunder Hollow Speedway and the possibility of McQueen's retirement, resulting the former to turn off the TV out of shame before contacting Mater for help. Unlike the first film, he isn't seen again throughout the rest of the movie.

## Disney Parks

In Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Chick hacks into Lightning McQueen's racing simulator presentation to humiliate him and challenge him to a virtual race to settle their score (presumably renewing their rivalry). He is once again voiced by Bob Peterson and serves as the main antagonist for the attraction.

**Films:** Cars | Cars 2 | Cars 3
**Short Films:** Mater and the Ghostlight | Miss Fritter's Racing Skoool | Unparalleled Parking | Dancing with the Cars
**Television:** Cars Toons | Cars on the Road
**Books:** Disney's Wonderful World of Reading
**Locations:** Radiator Springs