First Arab American Woman Debuts in NASCAR
By Ryan General
Toni Breidinger is a successful model from California’s Bay Area who recently made history as the first female Arab American driver to compete in NASCAR.
Breidinger, who is of Lebanese descent, made her NASCAR debut at the Daytona International Speedway in the 2021 ARCA Menards Series season opener on Feb. 13, according to Arab American News.
Before participating in the ARCA Menards Series season opener, the 21-year-old finished 18th at the Lucas Oil 200.
Considered as a rising star in the race car driving scene, Breidinger made her big break after joining Young’s Motorsports.
She was brought in to compete in a limited ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), two of NASCAR’s top four series.
“I’m a driver just like everybody else. As soon as the helmet comes on, gender is irrelevant,” she told CBS in a recent interview.
Breidinger, whose mother was born in Beirut, grew up in the Bay Area with her family currently living in Lebanon.
Her love for racing began at age 9 when her racing enthusiast father brought her to a go-kart track. Breidinger’s interest in motorsports further developed after her father later bought a go-kart for her.
Her father, a mechanical engineer, eventually became her crew chief when she started racing competitively. She has so far won 19 United States Auto Club races, the most ever won by a woman.
In her first full season on the ARCA series, Breidinger is driving the No. 2 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet. In the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, she drives the No. 82 Chevrolet Silverado.
Feature Image via Toni Breidinger
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