In Pixar's Cars 3, Cruz Ramirez takes over as the primary racer for the Rust-eze team.
Cruz begins as Lightning McQueen's trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center. She has extensive technical knowledge but has not been given the opportunity to compete at the highest level. During the story, she discovers that she can be a successful racer herself.
Lightning eventually recognizes Cruz's ability and supports her in the decisive race. She takes his place as Rust-eze's racer, while Lightning adopts a mentoring role and helps her prepare. This transition gives Cars 3 a story about passing experience to a new generation rather than simply extending Lightning's career unchanged.
Cruz is voiced by Cristela Alonzo. Sally Carrera is Lightning's friend and a lawyer in Radiator Springs, while Holley Shiftwell is a British spy from Cars 2. Mia is one of Lightning's fans and is not the Rust-eze team's primary racer.