Toni Breidinger Secures Full-Time NASCAR Truck Series Ride with TRICON Garage
Toni Breidinger, a rising star in motorsports, is carving her own legacy despite frequent comparisons to female NASCAR pioneers like Danica Patrick and Hailie Deegan. On Tuesday, the 25-year-old driver announced a monumental step in her career: a full-time seat with TRICON Garage in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for the 2025-26 seasons.
In the official press release, Breidinger shared her excitement about piloting the No. 5 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON. “Racing full-time with TRICON is a dream for me. It’s been a 15-year process to get here, but I’m so excited for this moment and ready to capitalize on it,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to her sponsors and supporters, adding, “I wouldn’t have this opportunity if it wasn’t for Toyota, Raising Cane’s, CELSIUS, and Sunoco. I’m beyond grateful to have these partners and team in my corner to take this next step in my career.”
Breidinger also took to social media to share the news, posting:
“Excited to be running in the @NASCAR Truck Series full time for @TRICONGarage @ToyotaRacing.”
Building a Stellar Career
Before securing her full-time Truck Series ride, Breidinger made her mark in the ARCA Menards Series and part-time appearances in the Craftsman Truck Series. She currently holds the record for the most top-10 finishes by a female driver across all levels of NASCAR, with an impressive 27—a number she’s determined to grow.
However, her rise hasn’t been without detractors. Comparisons to Patrick and Deegan—both talented drivers who struggled to secure consistent NASCAR victories—continue to spark debate. Skeptics voiced doubts on social media, with one user writing:
“Super happy for her but hoping it isn’t [Hailie] Deegan 2.0 who was Danica [Patrick] 2.0. Women just seem to struggle to succeed in NASCAR for some reason.”
Another commented, “I would be excited for a female driver, but I got tricked by Danica Patrick and Hailie Deegan. I’m not doing this again.”
A third critique read, “Just what we need. Another Danica knockoff embarrassing herself in a top-tier ride. 4 top 5s in the best equipment in a dead ARCA series. Because the Deegan and Decker experiments went so well, let’s run it back again!”
Rising Above the Noise
Breidinger has proven resilient in the face of criticism, focusing on inspiring the next generation of female drivers. “I truly believe seeing is believing, so being able to get involved and hopefully inspire the next generation of women in motorsports is really special to me,” she said in March.
She also emphasized the importance of mentorship: “I started my racing journey in Go Karts, so I know what it’s like to be in these girls’ position. I’m excited to share with them what I’ve learned on my journey so far and help them along with theirs.”
With her full-time ride at TRICON and steadfast determination, Breidinger is set to challenge stereotypes and blaze a new trail for women in NASCAR.
