In Pixar's Cars 3, Cruz Ramirez trains Lightning McQueen after his severe racing crash.
Cruz is a high-performance trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center. She is assigned to help Lightning prepare for a new generation of technologically advanced racers, especially the young champion Jackson Storm.
Lightning initially resists Cruz's methods and feels threatened by the newer cars. Their training takes them from high-tech simulations to unconventional exercises, including time spent at a demolition derby. These experiences gradually build trust and reveal Cruz's own racing ability.
Cruz is not simply Lightning's mechanic or replacement trainer. She becomes an important competitor and eventually demonstrates that she belongs on the track herself. Her development gives Cars 3 a story about mentorship, changing careers, and making room for new talent.