Cruz Ramirez defeats Jackson Storm in the final Piston Cup race in Pixar’s Cars 3.
Lightning McQueen initially plans to defeat the young champion Jackson Storm himself, but the race changes when Cruz takes over his car and enters the competition. Wearing Lightning’s number 95, Cruz uses the training and confidence she gained during their journey to challenge Storm on the track.
The victory gives Cruz her own racing future rather than simply restoring Lightning’s old career. Lightning accepts a mentor role and continues racing selectively, while Cruz becomes a new Rust-eze driver. This ending makes the film a story about adapting to change and recognizing ability in someone else.
Lightning does not win that final race, although he helps Cruz prepare and later supports her career. Cars 3 was released in 2017 and was directed by Brian Fee. Jackson Storm remains the central next-generation rival, but Cruz is the racer who takes the chequered-flag victory.