Doc Hudson is the historic racing car who becomes Lightning McQueen's mentor in Pixar's Cars.
Doc is a 1951 Hudson Hornet and a former champion known as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. After Lightning damages Radiator Springs' road, the town's judge orders him to repair it under Doc's supervision.
Doc initially hides his racing past because a crash ended his career and left him bitter about being forgotten. His experience eventually becomes essential to Lightning, who learns that speed alone is not enough to win. Doc teaches him control, patience, and respect for other racers.
Paul Newman voices Doc Hudson, making the character especially notable because Newman was a celebrated real-world racing enthusiast. The film uses Doc's Hudson Hornet identity as a link to NASCAR history and the early stock-car racing era.