Smokey is Lightning McQueen's mentor in Thomasville in Pixar's Cars 3.
After Lightning struggles to compete with Jackson Storm, he travels to Thomasville, a town associated with the old racing generation. There, Smokey helps him understand that experience, strategy, and adapting to change matter as much as raw speed.
Smokey is modeled as a Hudson Hornet-like veteran racer and was Doc Hudson's crew chief and close friend. He shares stories about Doc's racing career and helps Lightning reconnect with the lessons Doc once taught him.
Thomasville also introduces other historic racers, including Louise Nash, River Scott, and Junior Moon. They are important members of the older racing community, but Smokey is the specific mentor who trains and advises Lightning. The character is voiced by Chris Cooper.