In Pixar’s Cars 3, Lightning McQueen trains with Cruz Ramirez at Fireball Beach.
The beach serves as an unconventional training ground where Lightning and Cruz practice on sand. Its uneven surface challenges the cars differently from a conventional paved speedway and helps Lightning develop a new approach to racing.
Fireball Beach is part of Lightning’s effort to recover from his defeat by Jackson Storm. The training sequence also strengthens the relationship between Lightning and Cruz, who initially works as his assigned trainer before becoming a serious racer herself.
Fireball Beach is distinct from Thomasville, where Lightning learns from Smokey and Doc Hudson’s racing history. It is also separate from the Florida International Speedway, the venue for the film’s climactic race.