Lionel "Pops" Racer is the chief engineer and creator of the Mach 5 racing vehicle, powered by the experimental "X Engine." After a devastating crash during the Mach 5's testing phase claimed his eldest son, Rex Racer, Pops conducted a thorough overhaul of the car. He incorporated the "Safety Seven" system—a suite of specialized protective countermeasures—into the Mach 5 to enhance driver safety while preserving the core X Engine technology. This redesign embodied his dual commitment to technological advancement and protecting his family.

Pops urged his surviving son, Speed Racer, to compete in the Grand Prix circuit as a way of honoring Rex's memory. As Speed progressed in professional racing, Pops worked alongside his family to unearth a crucial secret hidden within the Mach 5's design and capabilities. This discovery exposed the Mach 5's far-reaching consequences for global technological and societal evolution, establishing Pops' engineering as fundamental to the world's future. His background as a dedicated automotive designer and family patriarch defined his actions, centered on protection, legacy, and technological responsibility.