In Pixar's Cars 3, Cruz Ramirez takes over as a racer after training with Lightning McQueen.
Cruz begins the film as a high-performance trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center. She has racing ability but lacks confidence because she has been placed in a support role rather than given a chance to compete at the highest level. Lightning initially treats her as his trainer during his attempt to defeat Jackson Storm.
Their relationship changes when Cruz demonstrates that she can race competitively. Lightning realizes that his best way to preserve his legacy is not simply to keep the spotlight for himself. He supports Cruz's opportunity to enter the Piston Cup race, where she proves she belongs on the track.
Cruz is voiced by Cristela Alonzo. Her yellow design and number 51 connect her visually to the racing world, but she is not Doc Hudson and does not replace Lightning as the film's central character.