In Pixar’s Cars 3, Cruz Ramirez defeats Jackson Storm in the final Piston Cup race.
Cruz takes over as the racer for the final race after McQueen decides to let her compete. Using the skills she has developed through training and the encouragement of McQueen and Smokey, she challenges Storm instead of remaining on the sidelines.
Her victory is significant because it completes the film’s generational handoff. McQueen does not simply lose his place; he becomes a mentor and helps Cruz find the confidence to race professionally. The result also gives Cruz a future in the Piston Cup while allowing McQueen to continue as her trainer.
The ending is sometimes misremembered as McQueen defeating Storm again. McQueen is present and supports the strategy, but Cruz is the racer who wins the final contest against Storm.