Bruna Tomaselli becomes first woman to win in NASCAR Brasil
- RACERS
- May 7
- 3 min read
Bruna Tomaselli made history with a landmark victory in the NASCAR Brasil Series at Cascavel, completing a sensational drive in Race 2 of the second round of the 2026 season to become the first woman ever to win in the category’s history.
Bruna Tomaselli made history with a landmark victory in the NASCAR Brasil Series at Cascavel, completing a sensational drive in Race 2 of the second round of the 2026 season to become the first woman ever to win in the category’s history.
The event, held at the Autódromo Internacional Zilmar Beux on the 3.058-kilometre circuit, featured 17 laps in warm Sunday morning conditions. While Nicolas Costa claimed overall victory in the main race, Tomaselli’s performance in the Challenge class stood out as one of the highlights of the weekend.
Driving the #97 Ford Mustang for SG28 Motorsport, Tomaselli was part of the team's all-female lineup alongside Tatiana Calderón in the sister #25 entry, in a first for the NASCAR Brasil series after their debut at Santa Cruz do Sul in mid-April.
Tomaselli, a native of Caibi in Santa Catarina, brought with her a diverse racing background that spans from karting, Fórmula Junior Brasil, a stint in the USF2000 in the US, and international programs in the all-female W Series across 2021 and 2022, before making her debut in touring cars, especially in Stock Light, Brazil's main feeder series to Stock Car Pro Series, where she also made a few appearances.
After some bad luck at the season opener, Tomaselli qualified 22nd overall and 10th in the Challenge class at Cascavel, with a lap time of 1:17.607, leaving her with some ground to make up in the races. In Race 1, she worked her way through the field to secure sixth place in the Challenge class, laying the foundation for a stronger showing on Sunday.
Race 2 would prove to be the breakthrough moment. In a race defined by multiple restarts and intense battles, Tomaselli faced adversity early on, including an off-track following contact during a restart. Despite these setbacks, she remained determined and steadily climbed back through the order with a series of overtakes and consistent pace which eventually paid off in dramatic fashion as she surged into the lead on the penultimate lap, completing a remarkable comeback to take the class victory.
The win carried deep emotional significance for Tomaselli, who celebrated not only her first NASCAR Brasil triumph but also a milestone achievement for the series.
“I will carry this victory with me for life. It’s very special to win for the first time here in NASCAR Brasil. We worked very, very, very hard. Everyone has been with me over the last days and months. To be here, to stand on the top step of the podium, is the reward,” she said. "It's very special to win a race on my favorite track, close to home and with all my family and friends. The trophy goes to the whole team and to all the girls who dream of being on the track and on the podium," she added.
Tomaselli’s victory elevates her to fourth in the Challenge standings with 45 points after two rounds, placing her among the contenders for the top three in the class.
With momentum on her side following this achievement, Bruna Tomaselli and the NASCAR Brasil field now look ahead to the next round at Interlagos, scheduled for May 30-31, where she will aim to build on a breakthrough weekend that has already secured her place in the record books.