Cruz Ramirez replaces Lightning McQueen as the winner of the final race in Pixar’s Cars 3.
McQueen begins the film struggling against a new generation of faster racers led by Jackson Storm. After training Cruz, he chooses to let her compete in his place during the Florida 500, the season’s decisive race.
Cruz uses McQueen’s familiar racing number 95 and defeats Jackson Storm, earning the victory. McQueen then adopts a new role as Cruz’s mentor while continuing to race in a different capacity.
The ending does not erase McQueen’s career. Instead, it passes the competitive spotlight to Cruz while showing McQueen following the example of Doc Hudson, who had supported him in the first film. Cruz is voiced by Cristela Alonzo.