In Pixar's Cars, the retired racing champion voiced by Paul Newman is Doc Hudson.
Doc is the town doctor and judge of Radiator Springs, but he was once the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, a celebrated stock-car racer. His racing career ended after a crash, and he became distrustful of the publicity and treatment he received from the racing world.
Doc initially resents Lightning McQueen's arrogance, yet he eventually becomes Lightning's crew chief and mentor. His experience helps Lightning understand racing strategy, humility, and the value of a team. Doc's history is inspired by the real Hudson Hornet, a car associated with early NASCAR success.
Paul Newman supplied Doc's voice in Cars, his final major voice role. The King and Chick Hicks are active competitors from Lightning's racing era, while Smokey is a different Hudson Hornet character introduced in Cars 3.