Cruz Ramirez becomes Lightning McQueen's final opponent in the Florida 500 in Pixar's Cars 3.
Lightning initially enters the Florida 500 intending to race Jackson Storm himself. After Lightning realizes that Cruz has genuine racing ability, he gives her the chance to take his place on the track. Cruz starts the race in Lightning's number 95 car and faces Storm as the film's unexpected challenger.
The decision transforms Cruz's role. She was introduced as Lightning's trainer, but her childhood dream of becoming a racer finally becomes possible. Lightning supports her from the pit area, while Cruz uses both her technical training and her own racing instincts to compete.
Cruz ultimately defeats Jackson Storm and wins the Florida 500. Lightning does not abandon racing; instead, he adopts a mentor role modeled partly on Doc Hudson. This ending makes Cruz the new on-track champion while preserving Lightning's place in the racing world.