Toni Breidinger Takes on NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Full-Time in 2025
Toni Breidinger is set to elevate her racing career, stepping into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series full-time in 2025. The 25-year-old San Francisco native will pilot the No. 5 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage, marking a significant milestone in her journey from the ARCA Menards Series, where she competed for the past four seasons.
“I’ve learned a lot in the ARCA [Menards] Series,” Breidinger shared. “I would not be making the step to the Truck Series without that kind of stepping stone. We compete on a lot of similar tracks, so at least I’m going to be familiar with some of the schedule.”
A Record-Setting ARCA Career
Breidinger’s ARCA career is marked by 65 starts, four top-five finishes, and 27 top-10 finishes — the most by a female driver in the series. Her best performance came at Kansas Speedway in the fall of 2023, where she finished third.
Building a Brand Beyond the Track
Breidinger’s influence extends far beyond her on-track achievements. With over 2.6 million Instagram followers, she ranks as one of NASCAR’s most influential personalities. A report from social media analytics firm Zoomph highlighted her as the leader in engagement and social value among NASCAR figures in 2023.
Her popularity has attracted partnerships with major brands like Raising Cane’s, CELSIUS, and Sunoco. Additionally, Breidinger has graced campaigns for GAP, Victoria’s Secret, and appeared in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue.
“Definitely been making the haters a little mad lately, that’s for sure,” Breidinger remarked. “But everyone in my inner circle—my teams, Toyota, and my partners—are excited, and that’s what counts at the end of the day.”
Limited Truck Series Experience, Big Aspirations
Breidinger has already made four starts in the Truck Series with TRICON Garage, debuting at Kansas in 2023 with a 15th-place finish—the best debut finish by a female driver in any of NASCAR’s National Series.
Despite this promising start, Breidinger acknowledges the steep learning curve ahead. “I feel super confident, but it’s going to be a huge learning curve,” she admitted. “We don’t get much practice, so I just have to be ready to adapt, stay present, and get after it.”
Leaning on Teammates and Facing Aggression
With teammates like Corey Heim and Tanner Gray, Breidinger plans to soak up as much knowledge as possible. “I’ll definitely be bugging Corey and Tanner a lot,” she said. “They’ve always been cool to answer even the more stupid questions.”
One of her biggest challenges will be adapting to the heightened aggression level in the Truck Series. “Especially as a rookie and sometimes as a female, people think they can push you around more,” she noted. “I respect hard racing to an extent, but there’s a fine line. I want to learn from veterans racing me hard, but no one wants to be dumped.”
A New Chapter Begins
With Chris Gayle stepping in as her crew chief, Breidinger is ready to tackle her first full-time season and Rookie of the Year campaign. The journey begins on February 14, 2025, at the iconic Daytona International Speedway.
Breidinger’s ascent signals not just a new chapter for her career but also a significant step forward in breaking barriers within NASCAR.
