In Pixar’s Cars, what was Doc Hudson’s profession before he lived in Radiator Springs?

In Pixar’s Cars, Doc Hudson was a race car driver before living in Radiator Springs.

Doc was once a celebrated racer known as the Hudson Hornet. He won the Piston Cup in 1951, 1952, and 1953, but his racing career ended after a crash and an unsuccessful attempt to return to competition. He later became Radiator Springs’ local doctor and judge, keeping his racing past private from most of the town.

Lightning McQueen discovers Doc’s history after noticing trophies and photographs. Doc initially resents Lightning because the rookie’s arrogance reminds him of the way the racing world abandoned older champions. Their relationship changes when Doc agrees to coach Lightning. Doc’s earlier profession is sometimes confused with his later role as a town doctor, but “Hudson” is also a deliberate reference to the real Hudson Hornet automobile, a successful early-1950s stock car.