Cruz Ramirez becomes Lightning McQueen's trainee and racing partner in Pixar's Cars 3.
Cruz begins the film as McQueen's high-performance trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center. She is enthusiastic and technically knowledgeable, but she has not fulfilled her own ambition to become a top-level racer. McQueen initially treats her as part of a training program rather than as a potential competitor.
After McQueen's disappointing results, the pair travel together and learn from older racing traditions, including Doc Hudson's history. Their relationship changes when McQueen recognizes Cruz's ability and helps her pursue the career she wanted. The story therefore makes mentorship central to the film's idea of legacy.
Cruz is voiced by Cristela Alonzo. She drives a yellow 2017 CRS Sports Coupe and later races with number 51, the number associated with Doc Hudson's Fabulous Hudson Hornet. Her victory over Jackson Storm completes her racing breakthrough.