Toni Breidinger has sounded a serious alarm about ongoing scams targeting NASCAR fans, after repeated incidents of impersonation and deceit involving her name. The Toni Breidinger scam warning comes as a wave of fake online accounts and misleading fan interactions threaten the safety, privacy, and trust between drivers and supporters both at the track and online.
Female NASCAR Drivers Face Persistent Scams and Online Impersonation
As NASCAR continues to grow in popularity, challenges beyond the racetrack have become more pronounced, especially for female athletes in the sport. In 2022, Hailie Deegan encountered real-world danger after obsessive behavior from a fan progressed from unsettling messages to direct threats, causing her team to contact law enforcement and skip an event for safety. This incident underscored the vulnerability of drivers to overstepping and invasive attention from a minority of fans.
Historically, women like Shawna Robinson dealt with similar struggles, navigating a culture that viewed them more as novelties than competitors. This pattern of fan boundary violations is not just a modern problem amplified by social media; instead, it has persisted throughout NASCAR’s history.
Recently, Samantha Busch shared via social platforms the case of a man who appeared at a drag strip, fully believing he was in a romantic relationship with NHRA Top Fuel racer Ida Zetterström, only to discover he was the victim of a sophisticated catfishing scam. Samantha invited Zetterström to discuss the ordeal and its emotional implications more deeply on her Certified Oversharer podcast, helping bring awareness to the fallout such scams can inflict.
As the viral conversation continued, Toni Breidinger responded publicly, noting the ongoing nature of the problem she faces at almost every event:
story of my life. every race at least 1 person comes up to me thinking this,
— Toni Breidinger
This highlights how frequently drivers are approached by fans convinced they have personal connections, often fostered by scammers leveraging social media platforms. Breidinger herself has endured instances of impersonation, including a fraudulent TikTok account that offered “exclusive access” and even private dinners with the driver, leading at least one victim to lose money under false pretenses. Such scams prey on the emotional investment many fans feel toward athletes, transforming admiration into exploitation.
Keen Encounters and Blurred Boundaries: The Toll on NASCAR Stars
Breidinger is not alone in experiencing the risk of blurred lines between fans and public figures. A well-circulated meme featured a photo of a fan lying beside a life-size Toni Breidinger cardboard cutout, to which she joked about calling in federal authorities, further emphasizing how such boundary-pushing encounters have become normalized in online and event spaces.
Other personalities have experienced similar predicaments. Kaylee Bryson, another rising racing star, addressed this trend in a video posted on X, detailing the odd, persistent messages she receives from fans confused about their reality versus impersonator interactions:
Okay, I’m gonna make a video showing you some of the crazy messages I get. Some people do not believe that they’re actually not talking to me, so this is like proof that you’re not dating me.
— Kaylee Bryson
Highlighting growing concerns about scam awareness, Bryson mentioned being sent her own verified posts as “evidence” by a fan who continued to insist on a non-existent online relationship. She said:
I tell him you’re getting scammed,
— Kaylee Bryson
When the fan pointed to the official verification badge as proof, Bryson retorted:
This page has a blue check mark, that’s because it’s the official Kaylee Bryson page.
— Kaylee Bryson
These awkward, sometimes tense, conversations happen frequently, especially at race venues, blurring the line between positive fan engagement and alarming personal intrusion. Bryson expanded on these awkward moments:
I love whenever fans come up to me, but there’s like a fine line of fans, and people that are like, we’ve been talking on Facebook for a long time, and I think that they’re dating me… I had a guy at Belleville get mad at me, because I told him that he was probably getting scammed and not talking to me, he wanted to think that I was lying to him… So that happens a lot, I don’t know how to go about it, it’s really awkward conversations at the track, but about every time I go to the track I have to deal with that. Super weird, but makes for a good story I guess.
— Kaylee Bryson
These repeated experiences for Breidinger, Bryson, and others reveal a serious vulnerability faced by public figures in motorsports. Increased online accessibility and the intimacy of social media platforms make it easier for bad actors to construct convincing scams, amplifying risks for both drivers and fans.
Community Response to Viral Scam Incidents Among NASCAR Fans
Social media reactions have also played a large role in shedding light on generational differences in scam awareness and fan behavior. A widely shared post humorously highlighted the need to understand older fans’ approaches to online authenticity, referencing the trend with:
Boomer NASCAR fans need to be studied man😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ZKqpSPv7KX— Sam🦕 (@samh8876) October 7, 2025
— Sam🦕 (@samh8876)
Such posts show just how normalized and public these uncomfortable encounters have become, prompting conversations about better education and clearer communication from personalities and NASCAR as a whole.
Industry observers note that while social media and direct online interaction can foster community and support, these same channels leave both fans and stars vulnerable to emotional, financial, and reputational harm. Many see a pressing need for improved account verification on all major platforms, more robust campaign efforts by teams and athletes to educate fans, and clearer boundaries between drivers’ public and private personas.
Breidinger’s Ongoing Challenges: On and Off the Track
While Toni Breidinger deals with persistent scam warnings and unwanted fan encounters, her 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign has itself proven turbulent. Competing full-time for Tricon Garage in the No. 5 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, the 26-year-old has had a challenging season, yet her commitment stands out in a field known for competitiveness and unpredictability.
Off the track, Breidinger faced a separate setback in August 2025. During a stop in Ithaca, New York, she suffered a break-in when her car was targeted and a custom Tumi suitcase marked “TB” was stolen. Also missing were her 818 Tequila and Coach-branded firesuits—gear essential for any professional driver. Breidinger reached out to the public with a plea:
Anyone in the Ithaca NY area!
— Toni Breidinger
My car was broken into last night, and my suitcase was stolen. It’s a custom Tumi suitcase with TB on it. Inside were personal items, including my 818 and Coach suits.
— Toni Breidinger
The theft struck a major blow during a demanding season, but not long afterward, relief arrived when Tricon Garage shared snapshots of Breidinger reunited with her missing firesuits, her relief unmistakably visible. This positive outcome, amid larger struggles both on and off the track, offered a much-needed boost to close out her debut full-time campaign.
The Wider Implications for NASCAR and Fan Safety
The growing prevalence of scams, impersonations, and social media deception in the NASCAR world has significant consequences for all involved. Public figures like Toni Breidinger and Kaylee Bryson face regular invasions of privacy and moments of vulnerability, while fans risk emotional and financial exploitation. As more stories come to light, there is an increasing push for official bodies, teams, and drivers to step up their efforts to promote awareness and educate the fan community.
In the meantime, drivers continue to balance intense professional demands with the unpredictable challenges that fame brings, both in the digital arena and real life. The Toni Breidinger scam warning stands as a pointed reminder for fans to remain vigilant, seek verification before engaging online, and respect the boundaries that keep both supporters and stars safe. As awareness grows, it is expected that NASCAR and its community will work towards fostering authentic, respectful connections and building stronger safeguards against future scams and impersonation attempts.
Boomer NASCAR fans need to be studied man😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ZKqpSPv7KX
— Sam🦕 (@samh8876) October 7, 2025
