The first Arab-American woman in NASCAR will enter the upcoming ARCA Menards Series in a full-time deal with Toyota Racing Development and Venturini Motorsports.
Venturini Motorsports will field 22-year-old Toni Breidinger in the 2022 ARCA Menards Series, as the first ever Arab-American woman to enter a NASCAR sanctioned race joins the team with a full-time deal. She will drive the #25 Toyota Camry.
“This is a proud moment not only for me but also my family", said Breidinger, who entered nine races in 2021 in the ARCA Menards Series and two additional events in the ARCA Series West. "I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to run my first full season in NASCAR’s ARCA with Venturini Motorsports and Toyota,” she added.
Having switched to Venturini Motorsports mid-way through the season in 2021, she scored two Top-10 results, at Winchester Speedway and at Illinois State Fairgrounds.
“I’ve worked a lifetime to get to this point in my career. It’s taken a lot of hard work and support from countless people. Racing is a business. It takes more than just desire", said the young racer, highlighting the importance of relying on trustful partners in the sport. "I truly cannot thank my supporters and business partners enough for believing and providing the support to get me to this stage. There’s still a lot of work ahead but I’m ready to get this season started at Daytona."
Breidinger - whose racing season will start at Daytona International Speedway on February 19th for the Lucas Oil 200 driven by General Tire - will be supported by Hairclub, and Pit Viper Sunglasses.
Despite not being part of the NASCAR Diversity Program, she made history in 2021 at the same event, when became the first Arab-American woman to start a NASCAR race.
Breidinger started her racing career in midget cars, where she took several victories, before moving to stock cars. With a rapid progression through the ranks of NASCAR, she now joins the Toyota Racing Development program with Venturini Motorsport. The team has historically supported female racers: notable graduates are Hailie Deegan, Natalie Decker, Gracie Trotter, Johanna Long, Leilani Munter.
With over 75 wins and two national championships under their belt, Venturini Motorsports is therefore the perfect platform for Breidinger, who gets ready for her first full-time season on the NASCAR feeder series.