Toni Breidinger inspires next generation of female racers at Phoenix Kart Racing Association ahead of ARCA race

PHOENIX — Hot on the (w)heels of Raising Cane’s newly launched campaign featuring NASCAR’s first Arab American female driver Toni Breidinger, the race car driver and Victoria’s Secret model took it back to where it all started in honor of International Women’s Day.

Yesterday morning, Toni and her twin sister Annie – a woman in STEM who’s a car engineer for OEM – hosted 13 aspiring young female drivers at Phoenix Kart Racing Association (PKRA), where the duo raced annually as kids and Toni won her first go-kart race. All with a shared passion for speed, Toni, Annie and the lucky racers spent the morning zipping around the track, eating box combos and sharing personal stories and experiences.

To kick off the event, Toni and Annie conducted a Q&A session and discussed how they got to where they are in their respective careers – both crushing stereotypes and inspiring women around the world as they lead the pack in the male-dominated industries of NASCAR and engineering.

The girls also asked about how Toni handled setbacks throughout her career, who she admired most in the sport, and what the future held for her.

“I truly believe seeing is believing, so being able to get involved and hopefully inspire the next generation of women in motorsports is really special to me,” Breidinger said. “I started my racing journey in Go Karts, so I know what it’s like to be in these girls’ position. I’m excited to share with them what I’ve learned on my journey so far and help them along with theirs.”

Before any rubber met the road, Toni presented the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) with a $100,000 check in honor of both International Women’s Day and Toni, who is a WSF Athlete Ambassador.

Founded by sports icon and social justice pioneer Billie Jean King in 1974, WSF is one of the first organizations to recognize the powerful connection between sports access, equity and society. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Foundation exists to enable girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life.

Toni, like many impactful women athletes, has worked with WSF for years to help pave the way for the next generation.

“We are honored to have Toni as part of the WSF family, and we will never stop cheering her on as she goes fast, takes chances, and inspires the next generation to keep racing,” said WSF CEO Danette Leighton. “We are grateful for Raising Cane’s donation to our critical work in Toni’s honor that will help us continue to work towards a future where all girls and women can play, compete and lead – this Women’s History Month and beyond – without barriers.”

The event was part of a larger campaign from Raising Cane’s, which features Toni and is focused on speed and accuracy – two things at which Toni excels. As a lifelong fan of Raising Cane’s and good friend of Raising Cane’s owner Todd Graves, the partnership between Toni and the brand was poised for “pole position” right out of the gate.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to not only partner with Toni again, but begin a partnership with the Women’s Sports Foundation, which is close to Toni’s heart and helps young girls realize their potential through sports,” said Graves. “Toni embodies hard work, perseverance and tenacity, and is a role model for women around the world as she continues paving her own way in sports and culture.

“I admire her both as an athlete and friend, and when she mentioned the great work the Women’s Sports Foundation has done and will continue to do, I knew it would be a great fit for us to honor this Foundation for International Women’s Day and in the future.”

Driving a Raising Cane’s-branded car, Toni will race in Friday’s General Tire 150 at Phoenix Raceway, where she’s one of four women drivers in the field.