In Pixar's Cars, which legendary racer is revealed to be Doc Hudson?

In Pixar's Cars, Doc Hudson is revealed to be a 1951 Hudson Hornet.

The film gradually shows that the quiet town doctor was once a celebrated racing champion. Doc's blue Hudson Hornet competed in the early years of the fictional Piston Cup and won three championships. His racing career ended after a serious crash, followed by an unwelcome loss of public attention.

Doc's vehicle design reflects the real Hudson Hornet, an American car produced by Hudson during the early 1950s. The model became associated with stock-car racing because Hudson Hornets performed strongly in early NASCAR competition. Pixar used that history as a foundation for Doc's fictional backstory.

Lightning McQueen first dismisses Doc as an old car who knows little about modern racing. He later learns that Doc understands racing better than almost anyone around him. The revelation also explains why Doc is reluctant to discuss his past and why he becomes an important mentor to Lightning.