What beach does Lightning McQueen use for training in Pixar’s Cars 3?

Lightning McQueen trains at Fireball Beach in Pixar’s Cars 3.

After a crash convinces Lightning that a new generation of racers may have made him obsolete, his sponsor Rust-eze places him under the guidance of Cruz Ramirez. Their training includes exercises at Fireball Beach, where Lightning attempts to improve his speed and control on loose sand.

The beach sequence is part of the film’s larger story about adapting to change. Lightning initially wants to defeat Jackson Storm using traditional methods, but Cruz’s approach introduces modern simulation, data, and unconventional training techniques. Their partnership eventually becomes central to the film’s resolution.

Fireball Beach should not be confused with Radiator Springs, the desert town where Lightning lives, or with the various racetracks seen throughout the Cars films. Cars 3 also features the Thomasville Speedway and the Florida International Super Speedway, but Fireball Beach is specifically associated with Lightning’s coastal training sessions.