In Pixar’s Cars, Doc Hudson is the retired racer who serves as Radiator Springs’ town doctor.
Doc is introduced as the Hudson Hornet who runs the local medical clinic and quietly helps the residents of Radiator Springs. He initially treats Lightning McQueen as an arrogant outsider, but their relationship changes when McQueen learns about Doc’s racing past.
Doc Hudson was once a celebrated Piston Cup champion known as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. His racing career ended after a serious crash and the loss of support from the racing world. The character’s history reflects the real Hudson Hornet, a car associated with the early 1950s “step-down” design and stock-car racing success.
Paul Newman provided Doc’s voice in Cars and Cars 3. Because Newman died in 2008, archival recordings were used for Doc in Cars 3 rather than newly recorded dialogue.