2002 Lexus RX300, 245,000 miles. SoCal. The battery is new and the alternator and starter check out.

When I start the car in the morning the gas pedal sometimes sticks and I need to apply the gas to start the car. Once started the car runs fine, and there is no issue with the gas pedal. In the past I only needed to turn the ignition to start the car. Any idea what may be causing this and whether the sticky gas pedal and hard start are related?