In Pixar’s Cars 3, what training method does Cruz Ramirez use to help Lightning McQueen?

Cruz Ramirez uses virtual reality to help Lightning McQueen train in Pixar’s Cars 3.

Cruz is a modern racing trainer working at the Rust-eze Racing Center. After McQueen struggles against the younger high-tech racer Jackson Storm, Cruz takes him through new training methods, including a virtual-reality simulator. The technology is intended to reproduce racing situations and help him prepare for competitive conditions.

McQueen initially distrusts Cruz’s approach because he wants to train like older racers did. Their partnership changes when they leave the center and revisit forms of racing connected to McQueen’s roots. The film contrasts advanced sports technology with practical experience and mentorship. Virtual reality is distinct from the demolition derby and dirt-track sequences later in the story, where McQueen learns different lessons about adaptability, confidence, and Cruz’s own potential as a racer.