Doc Hudson is the retired racer who secretly lives in Radiator Springs as the town’s doctor in Pixar’s Cars.
When Lightning McQueen arrives, Doc presents himself as the town’s physician and judge. His guarded behavior comes from a painful past: he was once the famous Fabulous Hudson Hornet, but a serious crash ended his racing career and the sport moved on without him.
Doc initially dislikes McQueen’s reckless attitude and refuses to celebrate modern racing culture. However, he eventually becomes McQueen’s mentor, teaching him that driving well involves more than raw speed. Their relationship gives the film its central connection between racing history and the next generation.
Doc is voiced by Paul Newman, whose own public association with auto racing added resonance to the role. The character is sometimes mistaken for Sheriff because both are older residents who help control events in town, but Sheriff is a separate black police car.