In Pixar's Cars 3, who provides the voice of veteran racer Smokey?

In Pixar's Cars 3, Chris Cooper provides the voice of veteran racer Smokey.

Smokey is introduced as a former racer and mechanic living in Thomasville, Georgia. He becomes an important mentor for Lightning McQueen after Doc Hudson's old racing connections lead Lightning to Smokey and the other members of Doc's past.

Smokey explains that Doc's greatest strength was not simply speed. Doc learned from experience, understood his competition, and kept improving. This advice helps Lightning rethink how to use his own knowledge while training with Cruz Ramirez.

Chris Cooper is the English voice performer for Smokey. The character should not be confused with Doc Hudson, voiced by Paul Newman in the first Cars, or with Mater, voiced by Larry the Cable Guy. Smokey is a supporting mentor, not Lightning's new trainer in the film's main present-day racing team.