In Pixar's Cars 3, Lightning McQueen visits Thomasville for training.
Thomasville is a fictional historic racing town in Cars 3. Cruz Ramirez takes Lightning there after the modern Rust-eze Racing Center's methods fail to restore his confidence. The town is connected with the earlier era of stock-car racing and provides a dirt track where Lightning can rediscover techniques that are not captured by the simulator.
The most important figure in Thomasville is Smokey, Doc Hudson's former crew chief. Smokey explains Doc's history and helps Lightning understand that Doc's career changed after a serious crash ended his racing days. Training on the dirt track also connects Lightning with Doc's roots and gives Cruz a chance to develop as a racer.
Thomasville is not the same place as Radiator Springs, where Doc later lived and served as the town's doctor. It is also distinct from the Florida 500 venue, which hosts the film's major final race.