Toni Breidinger is redefining what it means to be an influential presence in motorsports, seamlessly merging her career on the track with her work as a model and prominent social media personality. As a Toni Breidinger authentic NASCAR influencer, she has captivated a growing audience, using both her accomplishments behind the wheel and her authentic voice to build a significant following.
Blending the Race Track with a Flourishing Public Image
At just 26, Breidinger drives the No. 5 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Tricon Garage in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. However, her influence extends far beyond competition. Breidinger works as a model for Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, maintaining an online community of over 2.5 million followers on Instagram. Her roster of partners includes mainstays from both racing and lifestyle sectors, such as Toyota Racing Development, Raising Cane’s, Coach, GAP, and Free People.
In a recent conversation with NASCAR‘s TNT pit reporter Shannon Spake, she described her strategy for growing a dedicated audience.
“For me, I always just shared what felt authentic to me and I always say like to share little bits of my life and people want to get to know me. Because I feel like they can turn on a race. They can watch a race. They don’t need to see like a bunch of like results posted,” she responded. —Toni Breidinger, NASCAR Driver and Influencer
Breidinger emphasizes the value of genuineness in building her rapport with fans.
“It’s really just about being personable, authentic. I think when people can actually kind of like bond with you and feel like they can relate to something then they’re gonna go ahead and follow you and keep up with you… I think it sounds like very cliche but really just sticking to true self and being authentic because people know when it’s fake.” (0:31 onwards) —Toni Breidinger, NASCAR Driver and Influencer
Building a Career That Bridges Multiple Worlds
Breidinger’s approach to her brand is singular among drivers. Her recent features include a debut in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s 2025 issue, new modeling work for Victoria’s Secret, and starring as the face of Coach’s Soho Sneaker campaign. Supported by sponsors like Celsius and Sunoco, she embodies a crossover that connects the racetrack to mainstream media—a rare feat in NASCAR.
With such a public profile, her influence extends well beyond the core fanbase of the sport. Her partnerships with diverse companies, alongside her commitment to showing her real personality online, position her at the crossroads of athletic achievement and pop culture relevance.
Securing a Place within NASCAR and Defining Inspiration
Despite her success in modeling and media, Breidinger remains firmly invested in her racing career. Competing full-time for Tricon Garage in the Truck Series, she has already achieved two top-20 finishes as a rookie. These milestones are especially meaningful after two challenging years spent fighting for recognition on part-time schedules.
Breidinger’s ascent this season has made her journey more visible to young women looking for role models within motorsports. She has spoken openly about the lack of guidance in her early years, saying:
“I definitely think when I was younger, Danica Patrick was obviously a really, still is very big name as a female driver. So, I think I definitely looked at her and at the time she was racing IndyCar. I do think that helped me think that I could do it because I saw another female doing it. I very much think that seeing is believing… as I got older and she retired, I really didn’t have anyone to really look up to. I felt like never really had much of any mentorship.” (0:10 onwards) —Toni Breidinger, NASCAR Driver and Influencer
Danica Patrick remains the best-known figure among women in motorsports, having competed at the highest levels in IndyCar and NASCAR, but with her retirement, the path for new talent became less visible. Katherine Legge has appeared in recent NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series events, though only part-time, highlighting the ongoing scarcity of women in these top tiers.
The Ongoing Challenge and Possible Impact
Breidinger’s success underscores how infrequent it is to see women thrive in NASCAR’s highest ranks. Despite this, her multidisciplinary approach—balancing a demanding race schedule with high-profile modeling and influential social media work—has helped drive conversations about representation and possibility in the sport. Her journey provides a new example that young women and aspiring drivers can look to, even as significant barriers still remain.
By seamlessly integrating her passion for driving with her influence in fashion and social media, Toni Breidinger is poised to further shift perceptions about what it means to be a NASCAR driver. Her story suggests a future where breaking into new spaces is not only possible but expected, as authenticity and diverse success continue to open doors in motorsports and beyond.
