Toni Breidinger gets back to basics, embraces her femininity in NASCAR
Toni Breidinger is shifting gears as she prepares for this weekend's Craftsman Truck Series race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. After a period of limited track time, the 27-year-old driver is returning to the No. 27 Chevrolet, backed by a Celsius sponsorship. While her path in the professional circuit has seen ups and downs, she remains focused on the long-term growth of her racing career.
Beyond her time behind the wheel, Breidinger is carving out a distinct lane by merging her professional racing presence with high-profile lifestyle partnerships. She recently starred in a campaign for Kristin Ess Hair, highlighting a product she uses to maintain her appearance during high-heat races. This move follows previous collaborations with luxury brands like Coach and Victoria’s Secret, as well as her historic feature in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. She views these partnerships as an authentic expression of her identity, noting that they allow her to blend her interest in femininity with the male-dominated world of stockcar racing.
Her journey from her childhood home in the Bay Area to the professional stage has required significant persistence. After starting in go-karts at age 9, she moved through the ARCA Menards Series before entering the Truck Series. Although her transition to a part-time schedule with Rackley W.A.R. has presented challenges, including qualifying hurdles and mid-pack finishes, Breidinger continues to put in the work off the track. She recently secured a win at Hickory Motor Speedway in late-model competition, an effort she pursued to hone her racecraft on older tires.
Breidinger treats these behind-the-scenes training sessions with seriousness. She prefers to keep the specifics of her development quiet, choosing to let her performance on the track speak for itself. As she heads to Indiana for the TSport 200, she maintains a steady outlook. For Breidinger, success is about controlling what she can and ignoring outside criticism, keeping her focus squarely on the track.