In Pixar’s Cars 3, Cruz Ramirez takes Lightning McQueen’s place as a racer for the Dinoco team.
Cruz begins the film as Lightning’s high-tech trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center. Although she has racing ability, she has been working primarily as a simulator coach. During the Florida 500, Lightning changes roles and allows Cruz to compete against Jackson Storm.
Cruz wins the race, and the ending shows her continuing as a Dinoco racer while Lightning supports her career. The switch reflects the film’s theme that experience can be passed to a new generation rather than ending with a single champion’s retirement.
Cristela Alonzo voices Cruz in the English version. The character’s name is sometimes confused with trainer or analyst roles in the film, especially Natalie Certain, who works as a racing statistician. Dinoco is also associated with The King from the first film, but Cruz is the character who becomes the team’s new on-track representative at the conclusion of Cars 3.