In Pixar's Cars 3, who voices the racing mentor Smokey?

Chris Cooper voices the racing mentor Smokey in Pixar's Cars 3.

Smokey is an experienced mechanic and former crew chief who lives in Thomasville, a town associated with Doc Hudson's racing past. After Lightning visits the area, Smokey explains how Doc recovered from his career-ending crash and became a successful racer again. Smokey's knowledge gives Lightning a better understanding of his mentor.

Cooper's voice performance presents Smokey as calm, practical, and reflective. The character is not a rival or a team sponsor; he is a guide who helps Lightning reconnect with the lessons Doc once taught him. Smokey also works with Cruz Ramirez during the film's training sequences.

Thomasville and Smokey expand the history of the Cars racing world beyond Radiator Springs. The film uses these older racing communities to show that professional racing has always involved crews, mechanics, and shared knowledge. Smokey's role is therefore important even though he appears later than many of the franchise's established characters.