Cars 3 introduced Cruz Ramirez as a trainer and racer.
Cruz begins the film as a high-performance trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center, where she helps athletes use modern data and simulation techniques. She is assigned to train Lightning McQueen after his crash and becomes central to his effort to challenge Jackson Storm.
The story gradually reveals that Cruz has racing ability of her own. Her character gives Cars 3 a second-generation perspective: she represents someone who loves racing but was not initially encouraged to see herself as a professional competitor. McQueen eventually supports her move from trainer to racer.
Cars 3 was released in 2017 and directed by Brian Fee. It returned the series to a more personal racing story after Cars 2’s international spy focus. Cruz is voiced in English by Cristela Alonzo.