Cruz Ramirez becomes the new racer representing Lightning McQueen's legacy in Pixar's Cars 3.
Cruz begins the film as a highly trained racing technician and simulator specialist assigned to help McQueen prepare for the modern racing era. Although she initially lacks confidence in her own racing potential, her training with McQueen reveals that she has the ability to compete.
During the film's climactic race, Cruz takes McQueen's place on the track. Her victory marks a transfer of racing identity rather than the disappearance of McQueen's importance: McQueen uses his experience to mentor her, and she carries forward what he has taught her.
Cruz is voiced by Cristela Alonzo. Her bright yellow design contrasts with McQueen's red body and Jackson Storm's dark blue appearance. Cars 3 therefore frames legacy as something that can be shared through mentorship, allowing a new competitor to continue the story while the established champion takes on a different role.