Cruz Ramirez becomes a racer in Pixar’s Cars 3 after initially serving as Lightning McQueen’s trainer.
Cruz works at the Rust-eze Racing Center and is assigned to help McQueen prepare for competition against Jackson Storm. Although she has training expertise, she has not pursued her own dream of becoming a professional racer because she doubts whether she belongs on the track.
McQueen eventually recognizes Cruz’s talent and encourages her to compete. She takes his place in the climactic Florida 500 and defeats Jackson Storm, becoming the new racer for the Rust-eze team while McQueen adopts a mentoring role.
Cruz is voiced by Cristela Alonzo. She is not the same character as Sally Carrera, McQueen’s friend and the town attorney, or Holley Shiftwell, the spy introduced in Cars 2.