Paul Newman turned 81 this year.

For decades, the Oscar-winning star seemed ageless, but on a muggy May afternoon in North Carolina, Newman seems a little tired, a little distracted, a little like an 81-year-old man. Packed into a small room with dozens of adoring reporters, Newman's hesitance isn't surprising, but publicizing his vocal turn in the new Pixar film "Cars," his energy builds and he still shows a quick wit when asked what kinds of roles still inspire him to go in front of the camera.

"Well, I don't think I can play a marathoner right now," he cracks, only a hint of his oft-photographed grin appearing. "I think it would have to be either a wonderful character in a wonderful film or a character that was acceptable in a film with some social content."

Most recently seen in an Emmy-winning turn in the HBO adaptation of "Empire Falls," Newman plays surly, wise, reclusive Doc Hudson in the animated "Cars." It's no coincidence that Newman's character is casually nicknamed "Hud," nor that '51 Hudson Hornet has Newman's blue eyes.

"They have an extraordinary sense of detail, both in the creative and the technical," Newman says of director John Lasseter and his Pixar team. "And they don't get rushed. Which I think is critical. They have the luxury of control and they have the luxury of time. And that gives us a terrific effect, let alone the gifts that they have."

A racing enthusiast since his turn in the 1969 Indy Car drama "Winning," "Cars" is the combination of two long-term passions for Newman. Co-owner of the Newman-Haas racing team and a successful driver himself, Newman has dedicated himself to the sport in the same way members of the entertainment profession have dedicated themselves to him. In addition to the reporters, the media room is packed with Pixar animators and or "Cars" actors, fans who appreciate having the chance to spend 45 minutes in proximity to the big screen legend.

Asked to compare his loves, Newman is contemplative.

"Well, there are so many ingredients that go into the making of a film," he says. "That's one of the reasons why I like racing. It's a very simple sense of winning. It's down to a thousandth of a second now and electronically and that's a very uncomplicated conclusion. There's so many things that go into making a film. The director, the actors that you're working with, the time that you have to rehearse, whether you catch up with a character in time. There are so many different ingredients that go into making a performance. It's pretty hard to tell which performer performed the best."

He adds, "I'm a very competitive person. I always have been. And it's hard to be competitive about something as amorphous as acting. But you can be competitive on the track, because the rules are very simple and the declaration of the winner is very concise. I would say that if there are any similarities at all, it's that the ability not to lose concentration, you always keep concentration."

Asked the secret to winning in racing, Newman gives an answer that seems calculated to apply to several other facets of his life as well.

"The first thing, you've got to have the right kind of equipment," he begins. "There are a lot of drivers who can carry a car. It doesn't happen very often very successfully. I think it takes a certain amount of sensible bravery. It's no good to be brave and just keep crashing. And luck."

On more than a few occasions, Newman has speculated on retirement.

"I don't seem to be living up to my timetable," he smiles. "I may have one more movie in me. I'm not sure what it's going to be now. [Robert] Redford and I are working on something but it's not by any means a slam dunk. We're working on the script right now."

"Cars" opens nationwide on Friday, June 9.