In Pixar’s Cars, the retired Piston Cup champion known as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet is Doc Hudson.
Doc is the judge and doctor of Radiator Springs, but he initially hides his racing history. McQueen eventually discovers that Doc won three Piston Cups and set a record for rookie victories. Doc’s career ended after a crash left him sidelined, and the racing world moved on without him.
The character is based on the real Hudson Hornet, a celebrated American stock car from the early 1950s. The Fabulous Hudson Hornet won three NASCAR Grand National championships, in 1951, 1952, and 1953. Pixar used that history as the foundation for Doc’s fictional career.
Doc Hudson is voiced by Paul Newman, whose performance was his final voice role in a feature film. The character’s name honors the Hudson automobile brand rather than a real racing driver.