It’s exciting to see more women making their mark in NASCAR, and Isabella Robusto is the next name to watch. As Toni Breidinger moves up to the NASCAR Truck Series in 2025 with Tricon Garage, Isabella is stepping into her shoes at Venturini Motorsports for a full-time ride in the ARCA Menards Series. It’s going to be her first full season in ARCA, and things are looking bright for the 20-year-old Toyota Racing Development driver.

Venturi Motorsports signed the youngster in 2023 as a part-time ARCA driver which is generally the usual course for a developmental driver, but her career in the series was not off to a good start. Robusto suffered a concussion in a last-lap accident in a Late Model Race at Hickory Motor Speedway. Just a week before her planned ARCA debut. But with 2024, came new possibilities and Robusto had stellar runs getting a full-time ride for the next season.

A look back at Isabella Robusto’s career so far

Born in South Carolina, Isabella was practically born with a helmet on. She started karting at just 5 years old, and her toughest competitor? Her brother, Will Robusto. By age 8, she was racing Bandolero cars at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and by 11, she was already a state champion in the Young Lions division. It was clear from a young age that she was headed for something big in the racing world.

Her breakthrough came in 2018 when she became the first female to win a national qualifier race in the Legend Car competition. That win, at Texas Motor Speedway during the six-day “Battle at the Big Top,” really put her on the map. She went on to race Late Model Stock Cars in 2020 and 2021, where she racked up impressive stats: 6 top-5 finishes, 14 top-10s, and even a pole. A standout moment was at the South Carolina 400, where she made an incredible charge from 33rd to 3rd—ahead of none other than Dale Earnhardt Jr., who finished 9th.

After her injury in Hickory, she only returned to racing in 2024-driving part-time for VMS, although the journey wasn’t easy. “We tried to go back a couple times to see if I was ready to get back into a car,” Robusto said. “Concussions are a weird thing, and I’ve learned so much about them this past year. You can’t really set time on them. You can feel good one day only to experience a whole different feeling when you get in the car.” Her return to racing was marked with a 16th-place finish in the Pro Late Model preliminary for the All American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.

In her limited 2024 ARCA starts, Isabella impressed everyone. In 11 combined races across the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards West, and ARCA East, she posted five top-5 finishes, eight top-10s, and led 59 laps. Two of her best finishes were second place: once at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and again at Irwindale Speedway in the West series. Not bad for a rookie season!

Heading into 2025, Robusto is pumped about the opportunity to race full-time for Venturini Motorsports. She’ll be behind the wheel of the #55 Toyota Camry and is aiming to become the first woman to win an ARCA race. She’s already proven she’s close, and with a full season ahead, she’s feeling more confident than ever.

“I’m excited for this incredible opportunity to return to Venturini and run full-time for a championship in the ARCA Menards Series,” Isabella said. “I can’t thank Toyota and VMS enough for putting me in this position.” To add to her confidence VMS has full confidence in their driver.

Isabella Robusto is set for big things

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There’s no better place for Isabella to make her full-time debut than Venturini Motorsports. This team has been around since 1982 and has racked up 107 wins in ARCA’s various series. They’ve helped develop some of the biggest names in NASCAR, like Christopher Bell, Alex Bowman, and Bubba Wallace.

Trent Rodriguez, manager of driver development at Toyota Racing Development (TRD), is all in on Isabella’s potential. He said, “Venturini Motorsports and TRD have worked together for many years and that partnership has led to much success in the continued development of many talented drivers as they look to reach their goals in NASCAR. Isabella is the latest example of this, and we are excited for her to be able to compete for the national ARCA championship this season.”

Isabella’s confidence is just as strong. “I feel confident going into the season and will set some big goals for myself. I’m here to learn, but also to compete for the title and challenge for the win each time out,” she shared. “Knowing I have a chance to become the first female to win at this level is also exciting and on my mind. There’s a lot of history with VMS and the ARCA Series, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Isabella Robusto’s 2025 season is shaping up to be one to watch. With a team like Venturini behind her and the full support of Toyota, there’s no reason she can’t achieve great things. The big question on everyone’s mind: Could she follow in Toni Breidinger’s footsteps and make the jump to the NASCAR Truck Series?

What do you think—will Isabella be the next female driver to turn heads and make a big splash in the world of NASCAR? Share your thoughts in the comments below!