CONCORD, N.C. – Poised for the next chapter in her career, Toyota Racing Development driver Gracie Trotter has signed with Venturini Motorsports for a 10-race ARCA Menards Series schedule for the 2021 season.
Last September, the 19-year-old Trotter became the first female driver to win an ARCA Menards Series-sanctioned event when she captured the checkered flag in the ARCA Menards Series West race at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
With her sights set on the future, Trotter is scheduled to make 10 starts splitting time behind the wheel of VMS’ No.15 Toyota Camry and iconic No. 25 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry in the ARCA Menards Series, starting with the series’ season opener at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 13.
Super stoked to announce that I will be running part time for @VenturiniMotor this season! Splitting time between the No. 25 @Mobil1 Camry and No. 15 Toyota Camry #TeamToyota #FlyTheV @ToyotaRacing pic.twitter.com/Tz7WmMrXzB
— Gracie Trotter (@gracietrotter11) January 13, 2021
After making her superspeedway debut in Daytona Beach, the Denver, North Carolina, native will compete at Phoenix Raceway (March 12), Talladega Superspeedway (April 24), Toledo Speedway (May 22), Elko Speedway (July 10), Berlin Raceway (July 17), Michigan International Speedway (Aug. 20), the Milwaukee Mile (Aug. 29) and Salem Speedway (Oct. 2).
Trotter and VMS will close the season running the ARCA Menards Series West finale at Phoenix on Nov. 6.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” said Trotter. “I’m so thankful to everyone at Toyota Racing Development, Mobil 1, and VMS for giving me this surreal opportunity to continue living out my dreams. Toyota has been incredibly important to my development over the last four years. They’ve guided me so much, helping me move up at the right pace with the right people.”
Trotter, who cut her teeth in the sport racing late models throughout the Carolinas, made the move to heavier stock car racing in 2020, pairing with TRD’s Bill McAnally Racing for a full season in the West Series. She finished third in the series’ championship point standings.
The two also combined for three starts last season in the ARCA Menards Series, with Trotter’s best finish being a ninth-place effort at Iowa Speedway.
“I tell myself I can win every time I strap myself into a race car,” added Trotter. “This year will be no different, but with a learning curve. My time in the car now is about the future. It’s about learning as much as I can about the car, communication with my team and all the new tracks.
“Coming to a place like Venturini Motorsports to race and learn from some of the best makes me feel like there’s no better place to be right now.”
Trotter will make her 2021 ARCA Menards Series debut this weekend behind the wheel of VMS’ No. 25 during the two-day (Friday and Saturday, Jan. 15-16) test at Daytona.