In Pixar’s Cars, Paul Newman provides the voice of Doc Hudson.
Doc Hudson is the town’s physician and a former Piston Cup champion. McQueen eventually learns that Doc once raced as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet before an injury ended his competitive career.
Newman was an especially meaningful choice for the role because he had a strong connection to automobile racing in real life. He competed as a racing driver and co-owned racing teams, making Doc’s racing knowledge and guarded personality especially fitting.
Doc’s character is based visually on the Hudson Hornet, a real American car associated with NASCAR success in the early 1950s. The film also uses Doc’s past to contrast fame and achievement with the lasting value of mentorship and friendship.