- “He likes his fuel strong!”
- ―Nitroade slogan[src]
Alan "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[]
In 2003, Aiken became the Nitroade sponsored car.
Axler 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. Axler seems to have departed from the circuit between the events of Cars and Cars 3, as 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[]
Aiken behind rookie Lightning McQueen
In Cars, Axler 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. Axler maintains his upper position throughout the final 100 laps, ultimately finishing in 5th place, behind Kevin Shiftright and tied winners Strip Weathers, Chick Hicks, and Lightning McQueen.
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[]
Organic Power
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[]
Aiken practicing Tai Road, seen without his Piston Cup decals.
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 coach Nitroade Crew Chief, pitty Hugo Fast, and hauler Eric Roadales.
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[]
| Profile | Name and make | Description |
|---|---|---|
| File:AikenAxler.jpg | Aiken Axler #28Lux Motors Co. Piston Cup V8 | "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!" |
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[]
Names in other languages[]
| Language | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| Polish | Srebrny Alek | |
| Russian | Айкен Экслер | Ayken Éksler |
| Эйкен Экслер | Eyken Éksler | |
| Олкен Акслер | Olken Aksler |
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.[1]
- In the 2024 diecast line, he is referred to as Alan "Aiken" Axler, for unknown reasons.
References[]
- ↑ Richard Petty Driving Experience (June 14, 2014). "Meet Aiken Axler and Sage VanderSpin 6/13/14". Facebook.com. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
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