Who founded Radiator Springs according to Pixar’s Cars?

Stanley founded Radiator Springs according to Pixar’s Cars.

Stanley is remembered as the town’s founder and appears as a statue in Radiator Springs. The town grew around the old Route 66 highway, whose traffic later declined after Interstate 40 diverted travelers away from the community. That history explains why Radiator Springs has faded by the time Lightning McQueen arrives.

Doc Hudson did not found the town; he became one of its prominent residents after leaving racing. Lightning McQueen is an outsider who helps renew attention on Radiator Springs, while Sally Carrera becomes one of its important local figures. Stanley’s role is part of the town’s background mythology and is also referenced in Cars-related stories and attractions, making him distinct from the film’s central living characters.