Doc Hudson is the character voiced by Paul Newman who becomes Lightning McQueen's mentor in Pixar's Cars. Doc is the town doctor and judge in Radiator Springs, but he has a secret past as a celebrated racing champion.
He was once known as the Hudson Hornet and won three Piston Cup championships. A serious crash ended his racing career, and he became bitter after the racing world moved on without him. McQueen's arrival initially revives Doc's resentment toward celebrity racers.
Doc eventually teaches McQueen about control, patience, and the value of racing with respect. Paul Newman, a major Hollywood actor and former professional racing enthusiast, provided Doc's voice in Cars. The performance was one of Newman's final major film roles. Doc's mentor role is sometimes overlooked because he first appears as an older local official rather than as a former champion.