Who trains Lightning McQueen in Pixar's Cars 3?

Cruz Ramirez trains Lightning McQueen in Pixar's Cars 3.

Cruz is a yellow race technician and trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center. She initially helps McQueen use modern training methods, including a simulator, data analysis, and high-speed practice. Their relationship changes as both characters discover that Cruz has serious racing ability herself.

Cristela Alonzo provides Cruz Ramirez's English-language voice. The character is significant because Cars 3 expands the series beyond McQueen's perspective and explores how talent can be overlooked when someone is placed in the wrong role.

Cruz is not Sally Carrera, McQueen's romantic partner, and she is not one of the veteran racers from the earlier films. By the end of Cars 3, Cruz takes on a much larger role in competition while McQueen helps guide her career.