In Pixar's Cars 3, who trains Cruz Ramirez for the Florida 500?

In Pixar's Cars 3, Lightning McQueen trains Cruz Ramirez for the Florida 500.

Cruz begins the film as Lightning's assigned trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center, but their roles change after Lightning's crash and his decision to prepare for a return to competition. Their training journey takes them beyond the modern simulator and into lessons inspired by Doc Hudson.

Lightning initially focuses on regaining his own speed, yet Cruz's natural ability becomes increasingly clear. At the Florida 500, she takes over the race for him and proves that she can compete with the newest generation.

Smokey helps Lightning understand Doc's racing history, but he is not the character who trains Cruz for the Florida 500. Jackson Storm is her principal on-track rival.