In Pixar's Cars, which racing legend is revealed to be Doc Hudson?

In Pixar's Cars, Doc Hudson is revealed to be the legendary Hudson Hornet.

Doc was once a champion racer known as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. His racing number was 51, and he won three Piston Cup championships before a crash ended his career. Afterward, he settled in Radiator Springs and became the town's doctor and judge.

The Hudson Hornet was a real automobile produced by Hudson Motor Car Company. The model became famous in 1950s stock-car racing, especially through drivers such as Herb Thomas. Pixar used that historical reputation as the basis for Doc's backstory.

Doc's identity is not the same as The King, Chick Hicks, or Lightning McQueen. Those are separate racers in the film's Piston Cup story. Doc's old racing career also explains why he understands technique and why he initially resists training Lightning.