By Seth Eggert, Associate Editor
History making driver Toni Breidinger is set to run double-duty at Daytona Int’l Speedway, competing in both the ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS).
In addition to a full slate in ARCA competition where the Hillsborough, Calif. native is competing for Venturini Motorsports, she will also run in the Truck Series season opener, the Fresh from Florida 250, for TRICON Garage. Breidinger will drive the No. 1 Celsius Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for the powerhouse Toyota team.
It was in that truck, with Victoria’s Secret sponsorship, that she broke the record for the best finish by a female driver in her debut, finishing 15th at Kansas Speedway. That was also the first time that she had run double-duty, having competed in the ARCA race earlier that day.
The truck race at ‘The World Center of Racing’ will mark the 24-year-old’s fourth career start in the series. Breidinger would be just the 25th woman to have made four or more starts across NASCAR’s three National Touring Series. With the No. 1 Toyota finishing 20th in Truck Series owner points last year despite being part-time, Breidinger is likely to make the field in the event that qualifying is cancelled.
Adding to their sponsorship of her truck at Daytona, Celsius has also signed an endorsement deal with Breidinger, adding he to their ever growing roster of athletes. She posted her excitement on X (formerly Twitter).
“Beyond grateful to join the Celsius family!” Breidinger wrote. “This is definitely a full circle moment for me. I’ll be driving the No.1 Celsius Tundra TRD Pro with TRICON Garage at Daytona!”
As Breidinger is set to run in ARCA full-time, she’s coming off a career year, despite only competing part-time in 2023. The Arab-American driver earned four top-five and seven top-10 finishes in 13 starts. She earned her career-best finish, third, in ARCA’s fall race at Kansas.
In ARCA’s pre-race practice in January, Breidinger was second fastest overall. Only her Venturini teammate, Jake Finch, was faster in the two-day test session. Venturini Motorsports swept the top-four spots in the test.
The NCTS Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona is scheduled for Friday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1. The race will also be broadcast on both the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.
The ARCA Menards Series Daytona ARCA 200 is scheduled for Saturday, February 17 at 1:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network as well as the Fox Sports App.