TOLEDO, Ohio (June 4, 2018) – Venturini Motorsports (VMS) will debut yet another new driver when 18-year-old Hillsborough, California native Toni Breidinger takes her turn behind the wheel of a VMS Toyota at Madison Int’l Speedway Friday, June 15.
Breidinger, USAC’s all-time winningest female driver with 14 pavement victories, will make her ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards debut in the Herr’s Potato Chips 200 under the lights at Madison.
“I’m definitely excited,” said Breidinger. “I’m a little anxious…this is such a big deal for me. I’ve been waiting a long time for this.”
The ARCA Racing Series cars are completely different from the open wheel cars that Breidinger has raced in the past.
“These cars do not get any more opposite. I tested an ARCA car last year at Motor Mile Speedway. There’s going to be a pretty big learning curve, obviously. I’m watching YouTube video and taking advice from my Venturini Motorsports teammates. I’m trying to gather as much knowledge as possible to prepare myself.”
Breidinger will be joined at Madison by VMS teammates Natalie Decker, Chandler Smith and Eddie Fatscher.
A very strong field is expected for the race, yet Briedinger is still hopeful for a top-10 finish and a straight race car to go back on the hauler.
“I would be very happy with a solid top-10 finish and bring the car back in one piece. This is how I want to make my living so I’m very serious about the whole thing.”
In addition to running a partial USAC Silver Crown Series this year, Briedinger is scheduled to compete in ARCA races at Gateway Motorsports Park (June 22) and Chicagoland Speedway (June 28). Gateway and Chicagoland are contingent on the ARCA superspeedway approval process.
Breidinger attended the ARCA race at Toledo Speedway in May.
“I was just watching and learning…trying to see how everything goes, how it all works. It’s way different than anything I’m used to.”
Briedinger began her career behind the wheel of a go-kart at the age of 9 before she moved into the USAC Midget ranks. In 2014 and 2015 she placed 2nd overall in USAC’s Speed 2 Western U.S. Pavement Midget Series driver standings. She went on to claim the 2016 Speed 2 Western U.S. Pavement Midget Series championship.
“I feel extremely lucky and privileged to be making my series debut racing for Venturini Motorsports. They do an amazing job with developing drivers. The knowledge I will gain from them will be very valuable and beneficial. I am beyond excited to be a part of Venturini Motorsports.”
Discounted tickets for the Friday, June 15 Herr’s Potato Chips 200 at Madison Int’l Speedway are still on sale at 27 Menards stores across southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
The offer for discounted tickets will remain in place up through June 14. Tickets purchased at participating Menards stores are available for just $20, which is $10 off the raceday gate price of $30. Kids 6 – 11 are just $10 at the track gate. Kids 5 and under are free. For a complete listing of participating Menards stores selling discounted tickets, CLICK HERE.
ARCA’s 10th trip to Madison Int’l Speedway
The ARCA Racing Series stretches out over five decades at Madison Int’l Speedway, having first raced there in July of 1970 – two-time ARCA champion Ramo Stott won the inaugural race. Tom Bowsher won the ARCA race at Madison in May of 1971, and Bruce Gould is in the history books as the 1973 ARCA winner. However, nearly 40 years would go by before the ARCA Racing Series would return to Madison in 2011.
Modern-day ARCA winners at Madison make ARCA/NASCAR champs
More recent ARCA winners at Madison include Austin Theriault (2017), Josh Williams (2016), Justin Boston (2014), Kyle Benjamin (2013), Chris Buescher (2012) and Alex Bowman (2011). Buescher, the 2012 ARCA Racing Series national champion, earned the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in 2015. Buescher is now a full-time driver in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Bowman now drives the 88 car for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in the NASCAR Cup Series. Theriault was the 2017 ARCA Racing Series national champion.
Weekend schedule/On-track autograph session/Media coverage
Practice for the ARCA Racing Series at Madison is Friday, June 15 from 1:15 – 3 p.m., with General Tire Pole Qualifying following at 5. An on-track autograph session goes from 6:30 – 7:30, followed by pre-race ceremonies and driver introductions. The 200-lap Herr’s Potato Chips 200 at Madison begins at 8 p.m. Friday night. The race airs live on MAVTV. There will also be live timing and scoring and live chat at ARCAracing.com. All times are local, Central.