Isabella Robusto

Isabella Robusto is an American professional stock car racing driver competing full-time in the ARCA Menards Series, where she’s proven she belongs at the front of the pack—and she’s only getting started.

EARLY YEARS

Born November 4, 2004, in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Isabella Robusto didn’t waste any time getting behind the wheel. She started racing at age five alongside her twin brother, Will, who now competes in Pirelli GT4 America[1]. Growing up in a racing household meant sibling rivalry wasn’t just at the dinner table—it was on the track, and it still is. In 2025, the Robusto twins went head-to-head when Isabella joined her brother driving for RVA Graphics Motorsports by Speed Syndicate[2].

The twins attended Fort Mill High School, where Isabella did something totally unexpected for a race car driver: she played kicker on the football team[3]. Standing 5’10”, she wasn’t your average high school athlete, and she wasn’t your average racer either. While other teenagers were figuring out prom dates, Robusto was already making history in go-karts and working her way up through Bandoleros and Legend Cars.

OTHER INTERESTS

When she’s not strapped into a stock car, Robusto is busy proving that sitting still isn’t her style. She’s a member of the Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 cycling team, because apparently one high-intensity sport isn’t enough[4]. She’s also deeply involved in the fitness community, participating in Spartan Races and triathlons—endurance events that require the kind of mental grit she brings to every lap[5].

And if that wasn’t impressive enough, she’s currently pursuing a mechanical engineering degree with a specialization in aerospace at Arizona State University—online, naturally, so she can keep racing[6]. “I’m very grateful that ASU had a mechanical engineering degree that I could do online while specializing in aerospace,” she said, balancing coursework with a full racing schedule like it’s no big deal.

Her training regimen is no joke either. She focuses heavily on mental conditioning, visualization, cardio, and reaction training to stay sharp[7]. “Doing something hard just keeps you mentally tough,” she explained, which pretty much sums up her entire approach to life.

EARLY SUCCESS

Robusto’s early racing career was a masterclass in breaking barriers. At just 13 years old, competing in the K1 Speed Young Lions division, she joined NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, which engages women and minority drivers[8]. That same year, she headed to Texas Motor Speedway and became the first female racer to win a Legends Car National Qualifier event in 2018[9]—a historic moment that put everyone on notice.

By 2019, at age 15, she won the Bojangles’ Summer Shootout in the Semi-Pro class and finished second in Semi-Pro points[10]. Rev Racing took notice and brought her onto their squad, where her development accelerated. She competed with Rev Racing and the Drive for Diversity program starting in 2016, staying with them through multiple seasons[11].

In 2021, Robusto entered the Toyota Development Driver (TD2) program system, a prestigious pathway for rising talent[12]. During her first season in the TD2 program, she competed in 37 races, earned two victories and 30 top-10 finishes, and impressed everyone at November’s South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway, where she finished third while racing against Dale Earnhardt Jr.[13][14].

By 2023, she was ready for the big leagues. The then-18-year-old made her ARCA Menards Series debut at Phoenix Raceway, finishing sixth and immediately proving she could hang with the best[15]. That same year, she juggled an ambitious schedule across five different series: the CARS Tour in Late Model Stock (with Lee Faulk Racing) and Pro Late Model (with Wilson Motorsports), plus Toyota GR Cup road course races[16][17].

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2018: First female to win a Legend Car National Qualifier event at Texas Motor Speedway[18].
• 2019: Won the Bojangles’ Summer Shootout in the Semi-Pro class and finished second in Semi-Pro points[19].
• 2020: Received the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Young Racer Award after four seasons with Rev Racing[20].
• 2021: Joined the Toyota Development Driver (TD2) program, competing in 37 races with two victories and 30 top-10 finishes[21].
• 2022: Finished third at the South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway, racing against Dale Earnhardt Jr.[22].
• 2023: Made ARCA Menards Series debut at Phoenix Raceway with a sixth-place finish[23].
• 2024: Won pole position for the Reese’s 150 at Kansas Speedway—just her fourth career ARCA start[24].
• 2025: Ran the full ARCA Menards season with Venturini Motorsports in the No. 55 Toyota, finishing third at Talladega Superspeedway—the best finish ever by a female competitor at that track in ARCA competition[25][26].
• 2025: Won the ARCA Menards Series Rookie of the Year award[27].
• Career: Won hundreds of races, pole awards, hard charger awards, and regional championships across multiple motorsports disciplines[28].
• Career: Won the Diversity Driver of the Year award twice[29].

INSPIRATIONS

Information about specific inspirations is not available in the provided research.

REPUTATION

Robusto has built a reputation as a driver who doesn’t back down and doesn’t make excuses. She’s known for her consistency, smart racecraft, and ability to reset after setbacks—a skill she’s had to use more than once. In 2024, she was involved in a dramatic crash at Hickory Motor Speedway when her car bowled over a jersey barrier with just two laps remaining. She was diagnosed with a concussion and had to withdraw from the next race at New Orleans Motorsports Park[30][31].

But setbacks don’t define her—how she responds does. “My main goal this season is consistency; executing clean, smart races; and making every lap count,” she said, emphasizing her focus on mental conditioning and maintaining a focused mindset[32]. That discipline showed during her 2025 ARCA season, where despite a rough stretch mid-season, she delivered that historic third-place finish at Talladega and secured Rookie of the Year honors[33].

She’s also widely respected for her work ethic. As a Toyota Development Driver with Lee Faulk Racing and later with Venturini Motorsports and Nitro Motorsports, she’s consistently impressed teams with her ability to learn quickly and adapt[34]. Her number 55 has been with her since the beginning of her racing career—a constant in a sport where everything else changes fast[35].

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

For 2026, Robusto will compete full-time in the ARCA Menards Series with Nitro Motorsports in the No. 55 Toyota, with backing from Mobil 1 and Yahoo[36][37]. It’s a significant partnership that positions her for continued growth as she eyes the next level of NASCAR competition.

Her goals are clear: consistency, smart execution, and making every lap count. She’s focusing on mental conditioning, visualization, and keeping her fitness dialed in with cardio and reaction training[38]. With her engineering degree in progress and a full racing schedule ahead, Robusto isn’t just working toward NASCAR glory—she’s engineering her own path there, one calculated move at a time.

REFERENCES

[1] Isabella Robusto – Wikipedia
[2] Sibling Rivalry on the Racetrack: Robusto Twins Go Head-to-Head in Virginia
[3] Isabella Robusto – Wikipedia
[4] Isabella Robusto (USA) – Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24
[5] 20-Year-Old Driver Isabella Robusto Is Racing Toward NASCAR Glory – Her Campus
[6] Aerospace meets asphalt ambition – ASU News
[7] Toyota Driver Isabella Robusto on Resetting After Setbacks and Maintaining a Focused Mindset
[8] Females in the Fast Lane – Charlotte Motor Speedway
[9] Stock Car Spotlight: Corey Heim & Isabella Robusto – Pitbox Press
[10] NASCAR and Rev Racing announce 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity
[11] NASCAR Drive for Diversity Awards celebrate leaders championing inclusion
[12] Isabella Robusto – Wikipedia
[13] TRD Development Driver Isabella Robusto Gearing Up for Busy 2023 Racing Season
[14] Robusto Tallies Strong Podium Finish in South Carolina 400
[15] Isabella Robusto on 6th Place Finish in ARCA Debut at Phoenix – YouTube
[16] Isabella Robusto set for ARCA Series debut – Racing News
[17] Why 2024 Could Be Isabella Robusto’s Launchpad – SPEED SPORT
[18] Isabella Robusto – Wikipedia
[19] NASCAR and Rev Racing announce 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity
[20] NASCAR Drive for Diversity Awards celebrate leaders championing inclusion
[21] TRD Development Driver Isabella Robusto Gearing Up for Busy 2023 Racing Season
[22] PHOTOS: 2022 South Carolina 400 At Florence Motor Speedway
[23] Isabella Robusto on 6th Place Finish in ARCA Debut at Phoenix – YouTube
[24] Isabella Robusto Wins Pole for ARCA Kansas Race – Frontstretch
[25] Isabella Robusto – Wikipedia
[26] Isabella Robusto: Rising Star for Toyota GAZOO Racing
[27] Isabella Robusto wins ARCA Menards Series Rookie of the Year award
[28] Isabella Robusto (USA) – Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24
[29] Isabella Robusto (USA) – Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24
[30] Isabella Robusto Diagnosed with Concussion after Hickory Crash – Short Track Scene
[31] Car Bowls Over Barrier, Photographer at Hickory – Short Track Scene
[32] Toyota Driver Isabella Robusto on Resetting After Setbacks and Maintaining a Focused Mindset
[33] Isabella Robusto wins ARCA Menards Series Rookie of the Year award
[34] Isabella Robusto Racing
[35] Isabella Robusto – Wikipedia
[36] Isabella Robusto Joins Nitro Motorsports for 2026 ARCA Campaign
[37] The Complete 2026 ARCA Menards Series Driver Roster (So Far) – Daily Downforce
[38] Toyota Driver Isabella Robusto on Resetting After Setbacks and Maintaining a Focused Mindset