Lebanese-American becomes first Arab female driver to take part in NASCAR series

Toni Breidinger took part in the 2021 ARCA season-opener at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida on Saturday, describing it as "the biggest race of [her] career".

This season, Breidinger will be competing in a limited ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving a Chevrolet SS and a Chevrolet Silverado. 

"It's been one of my dreams to have the chance to race [at Daytona] and to have that dream come true is absolutely unreal," she said, according to her team's Young’s Motorsports.

Breidinger has been speeding around tracks since she was only 9-years-old, when she and her twin sister would race go-karts, according to an interview with Paper Magazine.

With her first race in the truck series, she officially makes history as the first-ever Arab-American female driver to participate in any NASCAR national series, according to NASCAR.

Each year, the American auto racing company sanctions over 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in 48 US states as well as in Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

Speaking to CNN about Saturday’s race, Breidinger said: “I’m honoured and excited to be the first, but I don’t want to be the last.

"I hope I can pave the way for future female Arab drivers as well."

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected