In Pixar's Cars, the race car known as the Hudson Hornet is Doc Hudson.
Doc is the respected physician and judge of Radiator Springs, but he formerly had a celebrated racing career. He won three Piston Cups and was known on the track as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. His past is initially hidden from Lightning McQueen.
Paul Newman voices Doc Hudson in Cars, making the role one of the actor's final major film performances. The character's history reflects the real Hudson Hornet, a 1950s American car that became famous in stock-car racing. Pixar combined that automotive history with an original fictional biography.
The King is the nickname of Strip Weathers, while Chick Hicks is Lightning's rival. Those racers are connected to the Piston Cup, but neither is the Hudson Hornet. Doc's lessons help Lightning become less selfish and more respectful.