In Pixar's Cars, the veteran racer revealed to be the town's judge and doctor is Doc Hudson. He lives in Radiator Springs and initially resents Lightning McQueen's careless, self-important behavior.
Doc is later revealed to have been the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, a legendary racer who won three Piston Cups. His racing career ended after a serious crash, followed by years of being ignored by the racing world. He eventually settled in Radiator Springs and became its local physician and judge.
The character is modeled after the real Hudson Hornet, a car associated with early 1950s stock-car racing. The film uses Doc's history to connect fictional racing celebrity with the town's forgotten past.
Paul Newman provided Doc Hudson's voice in the original film. Doc's relationship with McQueen changes when he recognizes the younger car's talent and agrees to train him, turning a reluctant mentor into one of the film's most important figures.