In Pixar's Cars 3, Cruz Ramirez takes over the number 95 race car after Lightning McQueen becomes her mentor.
Cruz begins as a trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center and initially doubts whether she belongs in professional racing. McQueen's training program changes both of them: he learns to adapt to new methods, while Cruz gains confidence in the skills she already possesses.
The film's climax moves to the Florida International Speedway, where Cruz enters the race after McQueen changes roles. She uses lessons connected to Doc Hudson, including the ability to turn an opponent's expectations against them. Her victory over Jackson Storm represents a transfer of the racing legacy rather than a simple replacement of McQueen.
Cruz becomes associated with McQueen's familiar number 95 and yellow racing colors. The ending presents their future as a partnership: McQueen continues racing and mentoring, while Cruz establishes herself as a leading competitor.