Cruz Ramirez takes over as the racer for the number 95 team at the end of Pixar’s Cars 3. The change follows Lightning McQueen’s decision to support Cruz’s racing future rather than continue competing in exactly the same way.
Cruz has spent much of the film as McQueen’s trainer, but she demonstrates that she has the skill and determination to compete. McQueen gives her his racing paint design and encourages her to enter the final race against Jackson Storm.
The ending does not erase McQueen’s importance to the team. Instead, it presents him as a mentor who continues racing on his own terms while helping Cruz begin her career. Cruz’s number is 51, but she races for the Rust-eze team in McQueen’s distinctive colors.