Cruz Ramirez becomes Lightning McQueen's new racing student and successor in Pixar's Cars 3.
Cruz begins the film as a highly capable trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center. Although she has racing ambitions, she lacks confidence that she belongs in the professional circuit. Lightning initially treats her as a coach, but their relationship changes as both characters learn from the other.
After training together, Cruz demonstrates that she has the skill and determination to compete. Lightning ultimately supports her taking his place in the Piston Cup race, while he adopts a role inspired by Doc Hudson's mentorship.
Cruz is voiced by Cristela Alonzo. The character's arc is central to Cars 3 because the film treats succession as a continuation of racing tradition rather than simply a retirement story. Cruz is not Sally Carrera, who is Lightning's friend and the town attorney in Radiator Springs.