What name does Lightning McQueen use for his mentor in Pixar’s Cars 3?

Lightning McQueen’s mentor in Pixar’s Cars 3 is Doc Hudson. Doc was a former champion racer who became the town doctor and sheriff of Radiator Springs in the original Cars.

In Cars 3, Lightning struggles against a new generation of high-tech racers. He thinks about Doc’s advice and legacy, then visits Doc’s hometown of Thomasville to learn more about his racing past. Smokey, Doc’s former crew chief, explains how Doc rebuilt his life after a serious crash ended his professional career.

Doc Hudson was voiced by Paul Newman in Cars. Because Newman died in 2008, archival recordings of his voice were used for Doc in Cars 3. The character’s racing number was 51, and his Hudson Hornet design reflects the real Hudson Hornet, a car associated with early stock-car racing success.