Was Johnny Knoxville's Character Based on Hunter S. Thompson?

Just putting it out there, I love this movie. Is it cheesy? Yes. Unrealistic? Probably. There's something about it though that intrigues me. Maybe it's the desert or the fact I saw this in the middle of winter (and I hate winter) that draws me to it. I remember literally having dreams the night after I saw it of driving in the desert like they did in the movie.

Anyway...I saw this with my ex who was a big Hunter S. Thompson fan. She always thought Johnny Knoxville's character was based on him since he had a love for weapons. I noted other people say on this board that Johnny Knoxville's character was useless but I'm wondering if it's because they never put the 2 and 2 together. Thoughts?