In Pixar’s Cars, Doc Hudson is the retired racer who was once a famous Hudson Hornet champion. He lives in Radiator Springs under the identity of the town’s doctor and later becomes Lightning McQueen’s racing mentor.
Doc’s past is revealed after Lightning discovers his old racing trophies and newspaper clippings. Doc had been a celebrated racer before a crash ended his career, and he became bitter after the racing world moved on without him. His experience allows him to teach Lightning the technical and emotional lessons that the impatient rookie lacks.
Doc is based on the real Hudson Hornet, a car associated with early stock-car racing success. The character is voiced by Paul Newman, whose final acting role in a feature film was Doc Hudson. The King and Chick Hicks are separate racers from the Piston Cup storyline.