Cruz Ramirez replaces Lightning McQueen as the number 95 racer in Pixar's Cars 3.
Cruz begins the film as McQueen's high-tech trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center. Although she dreams of racing, she has been pushed toward coaching because others doubt that she can compete with the newest generation of cars.
During the Florida 500, McQueen gives Cruz the opportunity to race in his place. She adopts his number 95 and his racing colors, then defeats Jackson Storm to win the event. The change is more than a costume update: it marks the transfer of McQueen's competitive legacy to a new racer.
Cruz's victory also lets McQueen continue racing in a different capacity. He becomes a mentor, echoing Doc Hudson's influence on him in the first film.