In Pixar's Cars 3, Smokey is revealed to have trained Doc Hudson.
Smokey lives in Thomasville, Doc's old racing hometown, and remembers the Fabulous Hudson Hornet from his competitive years. He explains that Doc's career changed after a crash and that the champion later became isolated from the racing world.
When Lightning McQueen visits Thomasville, Smokey helps him understand that Doc's greatest strength was not simply speed. The training emphasizes adaptability, teamwork, and learning from the people around him, lessons that shape Lightning's preparation for his comeback.
Smokey is voiced by Chris Cooper. He is distinct from Louise Nash, Junior Moon, and River Scott, who are other veteran racers connected to Doc's past and the film's Thomasville sequence.