Toni Breidinger, competing full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series for the first time in 2025, has been steadily gaining experience and recognition. As the only female driver in the series, she has raced in 10 events so far, with her best finish being 18th at Rockingham. Breidinger credits her development in part to observing seasoned drivers such as Kyle Busch, highlighting the importance of mentorship in her growth this season.
Challenges and Growth in Breidinger’s Rookie NASCAR Truck Series Season
The 25-year-old driver, representing TRICON Garage, entered the 2025 season with some prior experience from four races between 2023 and 2024, but the full-time schedule proved demanding. Breidinger reflected on her journey, emphasizing the steep learning curve she has encountered.
“Yes and no,” Breidinger said on the “Beating and Banging” podcast on YouTube. “I feel like I had a good idea of what to expect going into it, but from a competition standpoint, there’s so many new things that I’ve learned that I didn’t even think was possible to learn. Because I guess you just don’t know what you don’t know. So I’ve been learning a lot more than what I expected to. It’s all exciting and it’s all good stuff and really just trusting the process.” —Toni Breidinger, NASCAR Driver
This intense period of adaptation involved encountering top talent within the series, including future Hall of Famers like Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson, who occasionally compete in Truck Series races.
Learning from Legends: Breidinger’s Experience Racing Near Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson
One of the highlights for Breidinger was racing near Kyle Busch, a highly accomplished driver recognized for his success in multiple NASCAR divisions, including the Truck Series. She has focused on studying Busch’s racing techniques to improve her own performance.
“I was actually around Kyle Busch racing around him this past weekend (at North Wilkesboro), which was really cool because he’s also very talented in the Truck Series,”
Breidinger said.
“So I was trying to watch everything he did and see like when he was trying to pass somebody in front of me.”
“So I was trying to analyze like — okay, what’s his thought process trying to get around this person? Honestly I was like, it’d be cool to pass him, but my intention was kind of like to at least learn a little bit and kind of study a bit from him but it was very cool.” —Toni Breidinger, NASCAR Driver
Breidinger’s role as the sole female in the competitive Truck Series also brings unique attention, highlighting her drive to excel amid a male-dominated field.
Breidinger’s Unexpected Spotlight in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
Beyond the race track, Toni Breidinger gained notable media attention as a model in the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Shot on location in Boca Raton, Florida, the photo session presented unusual challenges given the adverse weather conditions she faced.
“We had that beach setting and it was actually a very stormy day for me,”
Breidinger explained.
“It wasn’t a very pretty day in Florida. It was like a literal tropical storm. But I mean, the photos still turned out great. But it was kind of funny because I was like, I didn’t see the photos until everyone else saw them. So I had no idea what these photos looked like.”
“I just knew on set, it was like really fun. Everybody made me feel so confident and everyone was so uplifting, but I knew that the wind was attacking me the entire time and my hair was attacking my face. I was like, oh gosh, what are these photos gonna be?” —Toni Breidinger, Model and NASCAR Driver
Sharing the Sports Illustrated platform with well-known athletes like Olivia Dunne, Jordan Chiles, and Nelly Korda, Breidinger found the experience both memorable and inspiring. Her prior modeling work for Victoria’s Secret adds to her versatility beyond racing.
“It was an honor,” she said. “If you look at the legacy of the other women and athletes who have been in it before me and the current ones who are in this issue — to be in that lineup with them is very surreal. They’re all very successful and they all inspire me. So to be included in that is really special.” —Toni Breidinger, Model and NASCAR Driver
When asked about returning for future editions, Breidinger responded enthusiastically.
“Oh 100%. Sign me up for next year.”
The Road Ahead: Breidinger’s Dual Pursuits in Racing and Modeling
Toni Breidinger’s 2025 NASCAR Truck Series season serves as an important stepping stone in her racing career, where learning through direct competition with legends like Kyle Busch continues to raise her skill level. Simultaneously, her sports modeling success brings additional exposure that highlights her multifaceted talents. Her determined approach both on and off the track suggests she will remain a prominent figure to watch in motorsports and beyond.
