In Pixar’s Cars 3, which racer becomes the new mentor for Cruz Ramirez at the film’s conclusion?

In Pixar’s Cars 3, Lightning McQueen becomes Cruz Ramirez’s new mentor at the film’s conclusion.

The relationship reverses the central pattern established in the first Cars film. In that story, Doc Hudson mentors McQueen after McQueen learns humility and gains respect for the older champion. In Cars 3, McQueen recognizes Cruz’s ability and helps her enter the racing world as a competitor rather than remaining only a trainer.

After Cruz succeeds on the track, McQueen chooses to support her career and takes on a mentoring role. He adopts a new look inspired by Doc Hudson, linking the ending to Doc’s influence and showing that McQueen has moved from student to teacher.

This answer is different from Cruz’s earlier role at the Rust-eze Racing Center. Cruz is McQueen’s trainer for much of the film, while McQueen becomes her mentor in the final stage. Jackson Storm remains a rival, and Sterling is connected with McQueen’s racing team.