Toni Breidinger is an American professional stock car racing driver who competes part-time for Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the Nos. 15, 25 and 55 Toyota Camry’s, and the ARCA Menards Series West, driving the No. 20 Toyota Camry. She was the all-time winningest female in United States Auto Club (USAC) history with 19 wins. Breidinger began racing go-karts at the age of nine with her twin sister Annie in 2009 at Sonoma Raceway.
She was called by Venturini Motorsports to run a part-time schedule for them in the ARCA Series in 2018. Breidinger returned to ARCA in 2021 on a part-time schedule for Young’s Motorsports beginning at Daytona International Speedway. The team also announced that Breidinger would run a part-time schedule in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series that year, driving the No. 82, a new part-time fourth truck for the team. This would have made her the first female Arab-American driver to compete in a NASCAR national series.
In 2020, Breidinger competed in Carolina Pro Late Model Series, for DLP Motorsports driving the 80 car. She placed 4th in points. In the 8 races in the series she placed 3 Top 5s, and 4 Top 10s. Breidinger appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on February 25, 2021 to discuss her 2021 season plans, her run in the ARCA race at Daytona which happened two weeks prior, and her racing career as a whole. She became the first NASCAR driver that was not from the NASCAR Cup Series to appear as a guest on the show. She has been selected in Maxim top hot 100 women of the year 2021.
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Toni Breidinger, the First female Arab-American driver to compete in a NASCAR Car Racing here she talks about her fitness routine, her diet, her beauty secrets and her success story.
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in Hillsborough, California US. You began racing go-karts at the age of nine at Sonoma Raceway. You did your debut season in 2018 with Venturini Motorsports to run a part-time schedule for them in the ARCA Series. This later propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world in the field of professional stock car racing. Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance?
Toni Breidinger:
When I started go-karting I realized that racing was something I was passionate about and I wanted to dedicate my life to accomplishing my goals in motorsports. Getting to race with Venturini back in 2018 (and again now!) in the ARCA series has been a dream come true and I know it’s helping me learn and grow in all the ways I need to be able to keep going to live out my dreams. I think when you’re passionate about something it helps you to keep going and really pursue the things you want to achieve even when things get difficult or challenging. Racing is what I love. It’s been an important theme in my life and I believe it always will be.
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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
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Namita Nayyar:
As an American professional stock car racing driver, you are the all-time winningest female in United States Auto Club (USAC) history with 19 wins. What has been the catalyst in your meteoritic rise to these exceptional achievements?
Toni Breidinger:
The biggest factor in that record was really determination and not being willing to give up. I kept pushing myself to be better and the wins were a benefit that happened to come along with that.
Namita Nayyar:
You are a leading professional stock car racing driver, social media personality, and model. How do you manage such a remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle?
Toni Breidinger:
My life is definitely pretty busy! I love using social media as a way to connect with my fans and have them experience my day-to-day life along with me and to also show my love of racing. It’s been fun to be able to teach people about what goes into training for race day and all that truly goes into it.
It’s so much more than people think. I see social media as an extension of my passion for racing. With modeling and working with brands, it’s a chance for me to share brands that I believe in and am partnering with on and off the track. Racing, social media, and brand partnership for me are all connected. It does take some careful time management, but I’m just happy for the chance to be able to do it!
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Toni Breidinger:
I have a trainer that I do racecar driver specific workouts with during the week. We do anything from cardio to strength to cognitive to heat training. For example: we’ll get my heart rate up to 90% max heart rate for an extended period of time and then go straight into hand eye coordination training and repeat that process.
It’s difficult to make accurate and precise movements when your mind and body is fatigued but it’s crucial to train for it since we need to be able to do that in a race. I’ve found it to be really helpful on the track.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you train your abs? One secret to your toned body.
Toni Breidinger:
My trainer has me do a lot of static core exercises (like planks) to simulate the demand on my core when I’m in the driver’s seat. Many people don’t know how much you use your core while racing! Even though we are in a tight custom fitted seat, the g forces really take a toll on your core so those static core exercises are important and they’ve been very beneficial for me.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Toni Breidinger:
My diet lately has been mostly pescatarian (a person who does not eat meat but does eat fish) but I don’t hold myself to a certain diet. I kind of go through phases depending on how I’m feeling. I think balance and listening to your body is important to making sure it gets what it needs so you’re feeling your best.
Namita Nayyar:
Five foods you absolutely love and five you keep to a minimum.
Toni Breidinger:
Foods I love: French Fries, Sushi, Popcorn, Hummus, Falafels
Foods I try to keep to a minimum: Fast food, Candy, Desserts, Dairy
Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your haircare and skincare routine.
Toni Breidinger:
Thank you! It’s so difficult to keep up with my hair and skin since I’m in a helmet all the time! For hair I use HairClub’s Maxxam shampoo conditioner, and volumizing spray. I have sensitive skin so I stick to the same simple products every day. I use a very gentle face wash and moisturizer tailored to sensitive skin. I’ll use serums as well depending on what my skin needs.
Namita Nayyar:
What traits do you think should be in a competitive successful female car racing driver?
Toni Breidinger:
Determination, initiative, a willingness to improve, and humility.
Namita Nayyar:
In 2020, you competed in Carolina Pro Late Model Series, for DLP Motorsports driving the 80 car. You were placed 4th in points. In the 8 races in the series you were placed 3 Top 5s, and 4 Top 10s. Tell us more about your racing experience in these races?
Toni Breidinger:
I absolutely loved racing in that series for DLP Motorsports. It was my first season in that series and with that team so I really didn’t know what to expect. I was showing up to new tracks all over North Carolina that I hadn’t been to before so it was a lot of pressure but my team really guided me and we were able to get some solid results that I was proud of.
Namita Nayyar:
You appeared on the famous The Ellen DeGeneres Show on February 25, 2021. You became the first NASCAR driver that was not from the NASCAR Cup Series to appear as a guest on the show. Elaborate on this experience of yours on being on the show?
Toni Breidinger:
Being on Ellen was a crazy experience. I couldn’t believe that I was asked to be a guest! Back when I was racing go-karts I never thought I would be on a show like this. I was able to talk about becoming the first Arab-American woman in a NASCAR national series and how I hope to be able to pave the way for others to follow. Ellen gave me the chance to talk about my passions and hopefully it will inspire another little girl to be a NASCAR driver when she grows up.
Namita Nayyar:
Five athletic leisure brands you love to wear
Toni Breidinger:
I’m pretty much only wearing FP Movement athletic wear at the moment. They’re my favorite brand!
Namita Nayyar:
Five travel destinations on your wish list.
Toni Breidinger:
Beirut, Lebanon
Dubai, UAE
Giza, Egypt
Mykonos, Greece
Tokyo, Japan
Namita Nayyar:
During the Covid pandemic what is your fitness routine in challenging times? What health foods do you recommend to build one’s immunity?
Toni Breidinger:
During the pandemic, I rode my Peloton bike in my house a lot since I couldn’t exactly go to the gym during lockdown. I also used the Peloton app for strength workout classes. They’re great because you really don’t need any equipment for them so I was able to get a solid workout right in my living room! During the pandemic I also put a lot of focus on building up my immunity. I definitely started integrating much more vitamin C, ginger and turmeric into my diet.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and the message for its visitors?
Toni Breidinger:
Something that is important to me is that willingness to better yourself, whether through fitness, healthy eating, or just making sure you’re in a good headspace. Womenfitness.net has many opportunities to get connected to the resources you need to help make that happen.
Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding women professional stock car racing drivers, who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in the field of car racing?
Toni Breidinger:
My advice to anyone wanting to become a NASCAR driver, especially to little girls and minorities, would be that if you want it, go for it. Don’t let anything or anyone hold you back from trying to reach your dreams! Practice, stick with it, learn from your mistakes, apply it to the next thing you do, and keep going.
Namita Nayyar:
Your Instagram handle @tonibreidinger has a following of 215k followers. A message for your ardent admirers.
Toni Breidinger:
Thank you to all of you who follow me on Instagram! It means so much to me that you support me! I really appreciate all your kind and supportive comments, they make my day.
Toni Breidinger Social Media Presence
Official Website: https://tonibreidinger.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonibreidinger/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToniBreidinger
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToniBreidingerRacing
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness