Toni Breidinger, driver for Venturini Motorsports, faced another challenge at Watkins Glen when she had to retire from the race early due to an injury. Having previously suffered a foot burn in an earlier competition, Breidinger gave it her best shot but ultimately handed over her seat to her crew chief, Cayden Lapcevich, halfway through the race.
This latest setback is just a chapter in what has been a tough season for Breidinger, filled with accidents and disappointing performance. As she stepped out of the car, her 24-year-old crew chief, a NASCAR Canada Series champion from 2016, took charge of the 25 machine, hoping to steer it through the remainder of the race while keeping it intact.
Venturini Motorsports had big hopes this season, eyeing the points lead and potential race victories. However, Breidinger’s injury and a series of unfortunate events have crushed those aspirations.
On a brighter note, Connor Zilisch emerged as the standout driver of the race, showcasing incredible lap times. With a new sponsorship from Red Bull and a debut coming up in the Xfinity Series, Zilisch is quickly making a name for himself in NASCAR.
Greg Doherty/Getty Images for Raising Cane’s
Off the track, Breidinger has recently partnered with IMG Models, bolstering her influence in fashion beyond racing. With a whopping 2.7 million followers on Instagram, she’s capitalizing on her social media presence to explore opportunities in the fashion and lifestyle industries. Her modeling portfolio includes collaborations with brands like Victoria’s Secret, Gap, and Free People, along with features in high-profile publications such as the New York Times, Flaunt, and GQ.
As it stands, Breidinger’s primary focus will be on her recovery and gearing up for the next races.
Qualifying results: General Tire 100 at the Glen at Watkins Glen International
- Connor Zilisch – Chevrolet
- William Sawalich – Toyota
- Thomas Annunziata – Ford
- Andres Perez – Chevrolet
- Giovanni Ruggiero – Toyota
- Brandon Jones – Chevrolet
- Kris Wright – Toyota
- Connor Mosack – Chevrolet
- Lavar Scott – Chevrolet
- Ryan Gemmell – Toyota
- Marco Andretti – Chevrolet
- Dylan Lupton – Ford
- Dale Quarterley – Chevrolet
- Jake Finch – Toyota
- Andy Jankowiak – Chevrolet
- Toni Breidinger – Toyota
- Alex Quarterley – Chevrolet
- Christian Rose – Ford
- Chris Werth – Chevrolet
- Tim Richmond – Toyota
- Cody Dennison – Toyota
- Ed Pompa – Toyota
- Michael Maples – Chevrolet
- Brayton Laster – Ford
- Nate Moeller – Toyota
- Alex Clubb – Ford
- Brad Smith – Ford
- Amber Balcaen – Toyota
- Rob Pellosie – Chevrolet