Antoinette Marie Breidinger Bio
Antoinette Marie Breidinger, born July 14, 1999, is an American professional stock car racing driver and model. She last competed full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 5 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Tricon Garage. Breidinger is notable as the first female Arab-American driver to compete in NASCAR, reflecting her Lebanese and German heritage.
Early Life and Background
Breidinger was born in San Francisco, California, and raised in Hillsborough, California. She has a twin sister named Annie and is of German descent on her father’s side and Lebanese descent on her mother’s side. She graduated from Mercy High School in Burlingame in 2017. Breidinger began racing go-karts at age nine, introduced to the sport by her father who took her and her sister to a go-kart school. She raced go-karts for five years, during which she suffered a broken arm in a crash but continued to develop her racing skills.
At age 15, she progressed to the USAC Western US Asphalt Midget Series, finishing runner-up in her first two seasons before winning the championship in 2016. This achievement made her the winningest female driver in any USAC asphalt division at that time. Initially interested in open-wheel racing, Breidinger shifted her focus to stock car racing after watching late model races and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, after high school to pursue her racing career.
Path to NASCAR
Breidinger made her ARCA Racing Series debut in 2018 with Venturini Motorsports, finishing tenth in her first race. She continued part-time ARCA competition and joined GMS Racing’s driver development program in 2019, racing late models and finishing fourth in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series in 2020. In 2021, she ran a part-time ARCA schedule and made her NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut with Young’s Motorsports, becoming the first Arab-American woman to race in a national NASCAR touring series. Midway through 2021, she joined Venturini Motorsports and Toyota Racing Development for additional ARCA races, solidifying her presence in stock car racing.
Antoinette Marie Breidinger Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Breidinger’s early career was marked by success in the USAC Western US Asphalt Midget Series, where she won the championship in 2016. She transitioned from open-wheel to stock car racing after high school, focusing on late model racing in North Carolina. Her development years included racing for GMS Racing’s development program and competing in regional late model series, gaining valuable experience in stock cars.
ARCA Racing Series Breakthrough (2018–2024)
Breidinger debuted in the ARCA Racing Series in 2018 with Venturini Motorsports, earning a top-ten finish in her first race. She ran part-time schedules in 2019 and 2021, joining Toyota Racing Development and Venturini Motorsports for multiple races. In 2022, she competed full-time in ARCA, achieving six top-ten finishes and placing sixth in the series standings. The 2023 season saw her scale back to part-time ARCA competition while also racing full-time in the Toyota North America GR Cup to gain road course experience. That year, she earned her first ARCA top-five finish and multiple top-ten results. In 2024, she returned full-time to ARCA, finishing fourth in the standings with eleven top-ten finishes and a best race finish of sixth.
Tricon Garage Era (2023–Present)
Breidinger made her NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut in 2023 with Tricon Garage, finishing fifteenth in her first race. She competed in additional Truck Series events that year and returned full-time in 2025 with the team. Her rookie Truck season presented challenges, with a best finish of eighteenth and several races where she did not finish. She described the transition to trucks as a steep learning curve. Despite struggles, she completed most races and gained valuable experience. A notable incident in 2025 involved a fiery crash at Watkins Glen, and she also faced personal challenges with theft from her vehicle during the season. She finished 23rd in the Truck Series standings in 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Breidinger is recognized for her adaptability across different racing disciplines, transitioning from open-wheel to stock cars successfully. She has shown strength on a variety of track types, including road courses, which she has actively sought to improve through additional racing series. Her strategic approach and perseverance have been key as she navigates the competitive environment of NASCAR’s national series.
Notable Races and Milestones
Breidinger’s career milestones include becoming the first female Arab-American driver in NASCAR national touring series and winning the 2016 USAC Western US Asphalt Midget Series championship. Her first ARCA top-five finish came in 2023, and she has steadily progressed to full-time competition in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, marking significant steps in her professional racing career.
Antoinette Marie Breidinger Career Wins
Breidinger has achieved notable success in the USAC Western US Asphalt Midget Series, securing the championship in 2016. While she has not yet recorded a win in ARCA or the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, she has accumulated multiple top-five and top-ten finishes, demonstrating consistent competitiveness as she advances through the ranks.
USAC Western US Asphalt Midget Series Highlights
Breidinger’s 2016 championship in the USAC Western US Asphalt Midget Series stands as a career highlight. She became the winningest female driver in USAC asphalt divisions at that time, showcasing her talent in open-wheel racing before transitioning to stock cars.
ARCA and NASCAR Performances
In ARCA, Breidinger has earned four top-five finishes and 27 top-ten finishes over four seasons, with a best points finish of fourth in 2024. Her NASCAR Truck Series career is in its early stages, with experience gained through part-time and full-time competition starting in 2023.
Antoinette Marie Breidinger Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Breidinger comes from a supportive family with her father, Mark Breidinger, and mother, Melinda Breidinger. She has a twin sister named Annie. Her multicultural background includes German and Lebanese heritage, which she embraces as part of her identity in the racing community.
Personal Life
Outside of racing, Breidinger pursues a modeling career signed with IMG Models, appearing in publications such as Marie Claire Arabia, Glamour, and Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue. She uses modeling to support her racing ambitions and has been open about her journey with body confidence. Breidinger is active in charitable causes, endorsing the Women’s Sports Foundation and participating in related events. She has partnerships with various brands, including Raising Cane’s, Celsius, Sunoco, Coach, Dave & Buster’s, and 818 Tequila.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Breidinger advanced to full-time competition in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Tricon Garage. The season has been challenging, with a steep learning curve adapting to the trucks and several races where she did not finish. Her best finish through the first 15 races was eighteenth at Rockingham. Despite difficulties, she has completed most events and gained valuable experience. A fiery crash at Watkins Glen and a personal theft incident added to the season’s challenges. She concluded the year 23rd in the standings, showing resilience and determination to improve in future seasons.
