In Pixar's Cars 3 (2017), Cruz Ramirez defeats Jackson Storm in the final Florida 500 race.
The Florida 500 is the film's climactic stock-car race. Lightning McQueen initially returns to competition after training with Cruz, but he realizes that Cruz deserves the chance to race. He changes roles during the event and supports her from the pit and trackside.
Cruz takes McQueen's place and competes against Jackson Storm, the dominant next-generation racer whose speed has made older racers seem obsolete. She uses the racing knowledge McQueen helped her develop and wins the event, establishing herself as a new competitor.
This result does not mean Lightning McQueen stops being important. After the race, he adopts a new racing identity and continues working with Cruz. The ending emphasizes succession and mentorship rather than presenting Cruz's win as a simple defeat of McQueen.