In Pixar's Cars 3, which character becomes the first female Piston Cup champion?

In Pixar's Cars 3, Cruz Ramirez becomes the first female Piston Cup champion.

Cruz begins the film as a trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center, where she uses modern simulation technology and coaching methods. She has racing talent but lacks confidence because she abandoned her childhood dream of competing after being told she did not fit the expected image of a racer.

After McQueen's training exposes Cruz's ability, she enters the Florida 500 when McQueen realizes she should have the chance to compete. Cruz passes Jackson Storm and wins the race, becoming the first female Piston Cup champion in the series' fictional history. McQueen then adopts a mentor role and allows her to continue racing for Rust-eze.

Sally Carrera is also a prominent female character, but she is a lawyer and town resident rather than a Piston Cup racer. Holley Shiftwell is a spy in Cars 2, so neither is the champion described here.