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You can't turn back the clock, kid, but you can wind it up again.
―Smokey to Lightning McQueen

Smokey is the tritagonist of the 2017 DisneyPixar animated film, Cars 3. He is an old truck who owns his best garage in Thomasville and was also Doc Hudson's former crew chief and best friend.

Background[]

In 1947, Smokey created his own garage: Smokey's Automotive Service to repair other cars. At the 1950's (1951-1954) he trained Doc to be the best racer in the world, when Doc made his flip against Leroy Heming, he felts of hapiness when Doc win. Later, at the Fireball Beach Speedway he was happy when Doc passed the other racers in the race, when Doc crashed and dissappeared in Radiator Springs he was concerned for him.

He saw on the newspaper when Doc helped Lightning McQueen in many races since 2005/2006-2009, after that he knew that Doc died in that year and he felt sadness.

Official Description[]

"Smokey is a Piston Cup team owner, crew chief, and the best dang mechanic in town. He also helped put Thomasville and a rookie racer known as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet on the map back in the 1950s. Smokey is known for his crafty tactics at the track, and the tales about his racing ingenuity seem to grow a bit taller with each telling. He has a gruff exterior and a very strong opinion when it comes to what he feels is right or wrong, but he often wrestles between going with his head (logic) or his gut (instinct), sometimes leaving his heart out by mistake. One thing is for sure: Smokey always wants to do right by his friends."[3]

Personality and traits[]

Smokey at first seems grouchy and grumpy, but inside he is really caring for others and is always ready to have some good time with old friends. Smokey is also a car that will say what's on his mind. He is very wise, optimistic when he trained Doc, later McQueen and Cruz.

Physical Appearance[]

Smokey's design is based on a 1947 Hudson pickup truck. He is painted orange, with areas of rust on his fenders and flatbed, which seems to have a patch of brown. He has blue eyes and yellow rims, and also carries the Smokey's Automotive Service logo on his doors.

Role in the film[]

Smokey was Doc's trainer when he was learning to race. While Lightning McQueen is recovering from his crash, he remembers this and wonders if Smokey can help him train to beat Jackson Storm. To this end, he and Cruz Ramirez travel to Thomasville, where they do a lap on the local racetrack, only to stop in their tracks to avoid colliding with Smokey.

Assuming the two cars were thirsty, Smokey invited them to the local pub, where they are introduced to Thomasville's other racing legends, Louise Nash, River Scott, and Junior Moon. Smokey and his friends then share anecdotes about their glory days, especially about Doc, whom they nicknamed Hud. Smokey recalled one race where Doc was up against an up-and-coming rookie who tried to slam him against the wall when he came close to passing, but Doc performed a daring flip right over the rookie, allowing him to win the race.

As Lightning laments how he wished to see Doc so happy, Smokey takes him outside, guessing he had an ulterior motive for coming to Thomasville and learned that McQueen had one last chance to beat Storm, least he end up like Doc. Smokey brings McQueen to his garage, explaining how Doc became emotionally detached after his forced retirement and exiled himself to Radiator Springs, cutting himself off from all his friends for the past fifty years. He then reveals a collage of letters and newspaper clippings of Doc sent after becoming McQueen's crew chief, remarking that as much as Doc loved racing, mentoring McQueen was the best thing that ever happened to him.

After observing McQueen perform another lap at the track, Smokey informs him that while he may not become as fast as Jackson Storm, he can be smarter than him. He reminds McQueen of how he managed to survive Thunder Hollow's demolition derby unscathed, all because he wasn't overthinking things. Figuring McQueen needed a sparing partner, Smokey has Luigi and Guido remove Cruz's muffler so she'd sound like Storm, and, as McQueen would be set up in last place for failing to show up at the qualifier, he had McQueen try to catch up to Cruz in three laps. Additionally, Smokey taught the two how to "sneak through the window" amidst a herd of tractors, drafting and how to dodge to keep their reflexes up. Ultimately, as the deadline for Florida International loomed, McQueen had failed to catch Cruz and was forced to depart for Florida.

Smokey subsequently joined McQueen in Florida as his crew chief and coached him as he started working his way up the ranks. However, early in the race, McQueen decided to substitute Cruz into the race to give her first chance at being a racer. Though Sterling tried to protest the legality of this action, Smokey pointed out that technically the rules stated a racing number is required, not the car who wears it.

Smokey proceeded to coach Cruz, who was struggling to catch up, reluctantly relaying McQueen's motivational advice to boost her confidence, ultimately conceding his position to McQueen after refusing to tell Cruz about "crabbies going night-night". Subsequently, when McQueen tells Cruz to "sneak through the window", Smokey exclaimed he understood that sentence.

When Cruz wins the race and refuses to race for Sterling in favor of Tex Dinoco, Sterling reminds McQueen of their deal in which he retires if he didn't win the race. However, Smokey directed their attention to the leaderboard, showing both McQueen and Cruz as the winners, since both he and Cruz raced with the winning number, thus winning the deal.

Smokey later traveled to Radiator Springs with his friends to watch Lightning train Cruz.

Video games[]

Cars 3: Driven to Win[]

Smokey is confirmed as a playable character in the game.

Trivia[]

  • He is named after the late mechanic Smokey Yunick, who was known for working as a mechanic, designer, and crew chief in the initial years of NASCAR, but also raced in the sport.[1]
  • Chris Cooper previously portrayed Tex Richman, the main villain from The Muppets.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "New 'Cars 3' characters inspired by NASCAR legends". ESPN (March 29, 2017). Retrieved on March 29, 2017.
  2. "Cars Character Profiles". Pixar Post. Retrieved on May 10, 2017.
  3. "Car Finder" (supplementary material on Blu-ray Disc release of Cars). 2007. Blu-ray Disc. Walt Disney Home Entertainment, 2007.
v - e - d
Cars-Logo
Media
Films: Cars (video/soundtrack) • Cars 2 (video/soundtrack) • Cars 3 (video/soundtrack)

Shorts: Mater and the GhostlightMiss Fritter's Racing Skoool
Shows: Cars ToonsCars: Racing Sports NetworkPixar Popcorn (Unparalleled Parking/Dancing with the Cars) • Cars On The Road (soundtrack) • LEGO Pixar: Bricktoons
Video Games: Cars: The Video GameCars 2: The Video GameCars: Mater-National ChampionshipCars: Race-O-RamaThe World of Cars OnlineCars: Radiator Springs AdventuresKinect Rush: A Disney/Pixar AdventureDisney InfinityCars: Fast as LightningCars: Lightning LeagueCars 3: Driven to WinDisney Emoji BlitzLEGO The IncrediblesDisney Wonderful Worlds
Books: The Art of Cars/2/3
Cancelled: Beyond the SkyMetro

Disney Parks
Cars Land (soundtrack) • Cars LandDisney's Art of Animation ResortCars Road RallyCars: Road TripCars Quatre Roues RallyeDisney Animation BuildingLuigi's Flying TiresLuigi's Rollickin' RoadstersMater's Junkyard JamboreePLAY!Pixar Pal-A-RoundRadiator Springs Racers

Entertainment: Lightning McQueen's Racing AcademyMoteurs... Action! Stunt Show SpectacularPixar Playtime Pals
Restaurants: Cozy Cone MotelFillmore's Taste-InFlo's V8 Cafe
Shops: Radiator Springs CuriosRamone's House of Body ArtSarge's Surplus Hut
Parades: Mickey's New Year's Eve ParadePaint The Night ParadePixar Play Parade
Fireworks: Disney EnchantmentHappily Ever AfterIlluminate! A Nighttime CelebrationTogether Forever: A Pixar Nighttime SpectacularWonderful World of AnimationWorld of Color: Celebrate!
Summer: Club Mouse BeatLightning McQueen Live!

Characters
Cars: Lightning McQueenMaterSally CarreraMackStrip WeathersChick HicksMia and TiaHarvDoc HudsonFloRamoneSheriffLuigiGuidoSargeFillmoreRedLizzieStanleyTex DinocoLynda WeathersJay LimoTuner CarsBessieFrankTractorsJerry Recycled Batteries

Cars 2: Finn McMissileHolley ShiftwellTony TrihullRod "Torque" RedlineTomberMiles AxlerodProfessor ZündappGremAcerFrancesco BernoulliUncle TopolinoMama TopolinoJeff GorvetteLewis HamilitonRaoul ÇaRouleMiguel CaminoNigel GearsleyShu Todoroki
Cars 3: Cruz RamírezJackson StormSterlingMiss FritterChase RacelottDanny SwervezBubba WheelhouseBobby SwiftSmokeyJunior, River, and LouiseTim Treadless
Mater and the Ghostlight: Screamin' Banshee
Cars Toons: KabutoBig DSkipper RileySparkySandy DunesBlue GritIdle ThreatShifty Sidewinder
Cars on the Road: IvyMatoRoad Rumblers
Video Games: CandiceStinger

Episodes
Cars Toons

Mater's Tall Tales: Rescue Squad MaterMater the GreaterEl MaterdorTokyo MaterUnidentified Flying MaterMonster Truck MaterHeavy Metal MaterMoon MaterMater Private EyeAir MaterTime Travel Mater
Tales From Radiator Springs: HiccupsBuggedSpinningThe Radiator Springs 500½
Cars on the Road: Dino ParkLights OutSalt FeverThe LegendShow TimeTrucksB-MovieRoad RumblersGettin' Hitched
Canceled Episodes: To Protect and Serve

Songs
Cars: Real GoneLife is a HighwayOur TownMcQueen and SallySh-BoomRoute 66Find YourselfBehind the CloudsMy Heart Would Know

Cars 2: You Might ThinkPolyrhythmMon Cœur Fait Vroum (My Heart Goes Vroom)Collision of WorldsNobody's Fool
Cars 3: Run That RaceKing's HighwayGlory DaysRide
Cars on the Road: Cars on the RoadTRUCKS
Others: Free RideWelcome to Radiator SpringsRadiator RockMambo ItalianoStop in the Name of LoveRiding in My Car (Car Car Song)Low Rider (Espanol Fantasma Mix)Junkyard JamboreeBig BulldozerTow Mater (The One You Want to Call)Mater's Square DanceLet's Go Driving

Organizations/Groups
DinocoTuner CarsWorld Grand PrixLemons · Next-Gen Racers
Locations
Radiator SpringsLuigi's Casa Della TiresRamone's House of Body ArtCozy Cone MotelFillmore's Taste-InFlo's V8 CaféRadiator Springs CuriosRadiator Springs Drive-In TheatreWheel Well MotelLondon, EnglandParis, FrancePorto CorsaTokyoCaliforniaLos Angeles International SpeedwayMotor Speedway of the SouthOrnament ValleyBig BenTop Down TruckstopBig BentleyHollywoodU.S. Route 66
Objects
Piston CupAllinolElectromagnetic Pulse EmitterPixar BallA113Pizza Planet Truck
See Also
The Science Behind PixarPixar in a Box
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