In Pixar's Cars 3, Cruz Ramirez becomes Lightning McQueen's new racing partner at the final race.
Cruz begins the film as a highly trained racing center instructor who helps Lightning recover from a crash and prepare for a comeback. She dreams of becoming a racer herself, but her confidence has been weakened by years of being told that she does not fit the image of a successful competitor.
At the Los Angeles International Speedway, Lightning changes strategy. Rather than finishing the race himself, he lets Cruz take over as the active racer while he takes the role of crew chief. Cruz uses what she has learned from Lightning and wins the race against Jackson Storm.
The ending does not erase Lightning's importance. It shows him passing on Doc Hudson's knowledge, just as Doc once passed knowledge to him. Cruz then carries the racing number 95, while Lightning begins a new stage as her mentor and teammate.