Alina Loibnegger

Alina Loibnegger is an Austrian stock car racer from Wolfsberg who carved out her place in EuroNASCAR competition through sheer tenacity and a knack for making bold moves when it counts—whether that’s battling for position in the rain or stepping between championship divisions mid-season to chase victory.

EARLY YEARS

Loibnegger hails from Wolfsberg, a city in the southern Austrian state of Carinthia, nestled in the mountains and far removed from the heart of European motorsport. Like many racers, she started with karts—the traditional gateway to professional racing—but the details of when she first gripped a steering wheel, who put her in that first kart, or what sparked the fire to go faster remain her own. What’s known is that she made the leap from karting to stock car racing, a transition that’s neither easy nor common, especially for young women navigating a male-dominated sport. By 2019, she’d found her way to the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Club Challenge, taking her first taste of full-bodied American-style stock cars on European tarmac.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the cockpit, Loibnegger keeps her cards close. Whether she’s into fitness, art, mountain hiking in her native Carinthia, or binge-watching Netflix, she hasn’t shared. For now, racing appears to be her primary focus—and given the demands of competing across Europe in a niche but competitive series, that’s probably all-consuming enough.

EARLY SUCCESS

Alina’s breakthrough moment came in 2019 during a NASCAR Touring Series race, where she finished second behind Japan’s Manami Kobayashi. It wasn’t just a podium—it was history. The race marked the first time two women had finished first and second in any NASCAR-sanctioned event, anywhere in the world. It was a quiet milestone in a sport still learning to celebrate its women, but it put Loibnegger on the map as someone who could run with the front-runners when the opportunity aligned. She joined the EuroNASCAR 2 championship in 2021, diving into a full season of wheel-to-wheel stock car racing across iconic European circuits. The learning curve was steep—EuroNASCAR combines road course technicality with aggressive oval-style racing tactics—but she stuck with it, building experience race by race.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2019: Second-place finish in NASCAR Touring Series race (first time two women finished 1-2 in NASCAR history, behind Manami Kobayashi).
• 2022: 17th in NASCAR Whelen Euro Series EuroNASCAR 2 championship standings with Racingfuel Motorsport, accumulating 246 points.
• 2022: Career-best ninth-place finish in Race 1 at Autodrom Most, Czech Republic (started 17th, advanced to 14th, upgraded to ninth following post-race penalties to competitors Roberto Benedetti and Martin Doubek; set personal best lap on final lap).
• 2022: Lady Trophy class victory in Race 2 at Autodrom Most (passed Arianna Casoli after returning to EuroNASCAR 2 from a brief stint in the Pro class).
• 2023: Stepped up to EuroNASCAR PRO with Racingfuel Motorsport.

INSPIRATIONS

Loibnegger hasn’t publicly named her heroes or the figures who inspired her to race. Whether it was a family member, a fellow Austrian racer, or simply the thrill of speed itself, she’s kept that story private.

REPUTATION

By 2022, Alina had earned recognition as “Austria’s Veteran NASCAR Female Star”—a title that speaks to both her persistence and her rarity. She’s one of the few women, and even fewer Austrians, competing regularly in EuroNASCAR, a series that blends American racing culture with European circuits. Those who’ve watched her race note her strengths: she qualifies well, nails her starts, avoids the chaos that often engulfs the midfield, and excels on restarts where aggression and timing are everything. Her performance at Autodrom Most in 2022 showcased all of this. After switching back to EuroNASCAR 2 from the Pro class mid-season—a gutsy strategic move—she immediately delivered. In Race 1, she charged from 17th on the grid to ninth by the checkered flag, benefiting from penalties but earning the result with grit and pace. She set her fastest lap on the final tour, a detail that speaks to her ability to manage tires and extract performance when it matters. The next day, racing in wet conditions, she chased down and passed Arianna Casoli to win the Lady Trophy, demonstrating both racecraft and composure in tricky conditions. Afterward, she told reporters, “I’m super happy. I switched from the Pro class to EuroNASCAR 2 for Most and it paid off completely.” She also embraced the challenge of the rain: “But the rain also had its advantages, because I got to know the car differently. That’s a good learning process for the future.” It’s the kind of measured, self-aware commentary you’d expect from someone who’s thinking long-term, not just chasing trophies. Before Most, her best result had been 10th place—three times—so ninth and a class win represented tangible progress in a season where consistency is hard-won.

Loibnegger’s reputation isn’t built on flashy headlines or sponsorship deals splashed across social media. It’s built on showing up, improving incrementally, and making the most of limited opportunities. In a series where many drivers are backed by family wealth or major sponsors, she’s carved out a space through skill and persistence. Her 2023 promotion to EuroNASCAR PRO—the top tier of the championship—was a logical next step, reflecting both her development and the faith Racingfuel Motorsport had in her abilities. She’s not a household name, but within the EuroNASCAR paddock, she’s known as someone who can wheel a stock car and who isn’t afraid to make bold strategic calls when the circumstances demand it.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

What comes next for Alina Loibnegger is anyone’s guess. As of 2023, she was racing in EuroNASCAR PRO with Racingfuel Motorsport, but beyond that season, there’s no public roadmap. Whether she’s aiming for a championship, seeking opportunities in other stock car series, or working behind the scenes to secure the funding that keeps any racing career alive, she hasn’t said. What’s clear is that she’s already done more than most ever will—making history in 2019, proving herself in EuroNASCAR 2, and earning her way into the PRO class. For a racer from a small Austrian city competing in a niche series far from the NASCAR heartland, that’s no small feat. Whatever her next move, she’s earned the right to make it on her own terms.

References:

Atlantic Hyundai Blog – Women’s History Month Article (March 18, 2022)
Racers Behind The Helmet – Autodrom Most Race Report (2022)
KartXpress – EuroNASCAR Confirmation Announcement (2023)
DriverDB – Alina Loibnegger Career Overview
ThreeWide.de – Press Release (March 30, 2023)
Wikipedia – List of Female NASCAR Drivers
World of EuroNASCAR – Post-Season Interview Announcement (January 14, 2023)