Which Pixar character becomes a racer at the end of Cars 3?

Cruz Ramirez becomes a racer at the end of Pixar’s Cars 3.

Cruz begins the film as Lightning McQueen’s high-performance trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center. Although she has speed and talent, she initially lacks confidence and has been directed toward coaching rather than competing. Lightning helps her recognize that she has the ability to race.

During the final Piston Cup race, Cruz takes Lightning’s place and competes against Jackson Storm. Her success gives the film its central generational handoff: Lightning continues racing in a new role while Cruz becomes Rust-eze’s representative on the track.

Cruz is sometimes mistaken for Sally Carrera, Lightning’s friend from Radiator Springs, or Holley Shiftwell, Mater’s partner in Cars 2. Those characters have different roles. Cruz is the yellow trainer whose career changes from preparation and coaching to professional racing.