Doc Hudson became Radiator Springs’ doctor in Pixar’s Cars.
Before settling in the town, Doc was a celebrated race car known as the Hudson Hornet. His racing career ended after a crash, and he later served as the town’s physician and judge. He initially hides this history from Lightning McQueen.
Doc’s character is voiced by Paul Newman, whose real-life connection to motorsport made the role especially notable. Newman competed in racing and co-founded Newman/Haas Racing, giving the character’s racing background an added association for audiences.
The Hudson Hornet was also a real automobile brand associated with stock-car racing in the 1950s. The film combines that historical inspiration with a fictional biography, so Doc should not be treated as a literal real-world driver.