(Video) Toni Breidinger’s Toyota Truck Burst into Flames at Watkins Glen

Toni Breidinger's run came to an early end in the Truck Series at Watkins Glen after her truck erupted in flames.

(Video) Toni Breidinger’s Toyota Truck Burst into Flames at Watkins Glen

Toni Breidinger (via Getty images), Toni Breidinger's truck catches fire at Watkins Glen (via @NASCARONFOX/X)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

NASCAR star Toni Breidinger was set to have a decent run in the Truck Series race at Watkins Glen. The No. 5 driver was making progress up the field and could’ve secured a finish in the Top 15. However, disaster struck as her Toyota truck burst in flames, taking her out of the race.

Breidinger was already having a rough day at Watkins Glen after her firesuit and personal belongings were stolen. Though, she had no time to waste, since Qualifying for the Mission 176 race was about to begin. The No. 5 driver qualified in 28th place. However, Toni Breidinger was making moves in the race.

The race was actually going well for Breidinger as she quickly made her way up the field. So much so, that she was in P17 with just over a dozen laps to go. Unfortunately, this is when things came crashing down. A mechanical failure led to fire bursting from underneath her Toyota truck, a major safety hazard. Luckily, she was able to park the truck on pit road and came out unharmed.

Toni Breidinger opens up on steep learning curve in NASCAR

Toni Breidinger is competing in her first season of the Truck Series this year. Her debut campaign has had its fair share of ups and downs. While Breidinger has managed to get into the Top 20, with an 18th place finish in April, she is still far away from making her way into the Top 10.

Toni Breidinger
Toni Breidinger (image via Pro Football Network)

Before the Watkins Glen race, Toni Breidinger acknowledged that NASCAR has an incredibly steep learning curve, something she might have underestimated. The 26-year-old confessed that the season has packed in a few surprises. Breidinger is learning a lot at every race, more than she initially anticipated. So much so, the Tricon Garage star feels like a completely different driver after every race.

Yeah, there’s honestly quite a bit of things that I was kind of surprised by this year. I knew the learning curve was going to be steep, and I knew that I had a lot to learn. But I don’t think I realized how much I was going to learn, how much I’m taking away. Like, after every race, I’m like wow, I feel like a new driver because I’ve learned so much. 

Toni Breidinger told 5GOATS.

She has learnt new things not only when it comes to the truck, but even for tracks and aero, covering every aspect of racing. While this might feel challenging, it has allowed Toni Breidinger to keep making improvements. The No. 5 driver joked that things were almost crazy when it came to learning.

 So, yeah, almost the unknown of I didn’t know how much new stuff I was going to learn. In so many different areas, from the tracks and the truck and the aero. Yeah, I’ve been learning a lot, and I’m like, I can’t believe I’ve been learning this much. Kind of crazy, but yeah.

Toni Breidinger added.

Certainly, Toni Breidinger is having a challenging time in NASCAR. However, the Toyota driver is not going to back down. While the fire incident at Watkins Glen will hurt, considering she was close to a good finish, it’s part of racing. It will be important for Breidinger to stay focused and bounce back stronger in the next race and get a decent finish.

Read More: Kyle Larson and William Byron Declare Talladega Nights Made NASCAR Drivers “a Joke”