ISABELLA ROBUSTO’s Breathless Pole Win Shows Women’s NASCAR Rising Power

May 22, 2025

by Jahnavi Sonchhatra // from www.essentiallysports.com

• ISABELLA ROBUSTO went from holding her breath through practice laps to claiming pole position at Kansas Speedway in her ARCA debut season. The Toyota Racing Development driver admits she almost hit the fence following her team’s “hold it wide open” advice, but the gutsy approach paid off when she discovered other drivers actually do lift – making her fearless commitment even more impressive.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. sees ROBUSTO as leading the pack among rising women drivers, noting she’s “ahead” of contemporaries like Laney and Jade in career progression. With her full-time ARCA ride secured for 2025 in the No. 55 Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports, Junior hints at Truck Series potential if the right opportunities align – and she’d have company with TONI BREIDINGER already running in trucks.
• The new wave of women in NASCAR extends beyond individual success stories. HAILIE DEEGAN broke barriers as the first woman to win a NASCAR K&N race and now pilots the No. 15 Ford in Xfinity, while the development pipeline shows more women entering excellence programs. We’re watching a generational shift that goes far beyond the handful of pioneers from previous eras.

arca menards series, kansas speedway, toyota racing development, venturini motorsports