“Disappointed”: Female NASCAR Star Calls Out Gender Gap in Racing With Bold Reality Check

“Disappointed.” That’s the word NASCAR driver Toni Breidinger recently used to describe her perspective on the state of the sport. As the only woman racing full-time in NASCAR this season, she consistently attracts attention not just for her performance on the track but also for what her presence represents in a male-dominated field.

The conversation around diversity and opportunity in motorsports has intensified in recent years, with sponsors and series leadership pointing to progress. But Breidinger’s candid comments offered a reminder that the lived experience of being the lone female competitor looks and feels different from the headline narratives.

Toni Breidinger’s reality check to NASCAR: “I’m Disappointed”

When the conversation on the Spake Up Podcast turned toward gender representation in NASCAR, Toni Breidinger did not sugarcoat her answer. “I would hope so… I mean… I think it’s unfortunate that I’m the only female driver racing full-time this year in NASCAR,” she said. “To me, that’s crazy. We just had another one last year… there should be more every year.”

Her candid response reflected not only her personal frustration but also the state of the sport at large. While NASCAR has invested in programs like Drive for Diversity, the overall presence of women behind the wheel at the national level has not grown as many expected.

The issue, as Breidinger sees it, is not just about symbolic representation. She acknowledged signs of progress, such as growing interest in grassroots programs and an expanding female fan base, but stressed that these indicators aren’t translating into sustained advancement for women drivers. “I see growth in some areas, but at the same time, I’m like… not really. We still don’t have the amount of female drivers that we should,” she explained. “It’s been pretty stagnant. So I don’t know… I’m feeling like I’m disappointed in the progress.”

The numbers clearly show that progress has been slow. Out of more than 100 drivers competing full-time in NASCAR’s three national series in 2025, Breidinger stands out as the only woman on a full-time roster. Adding to this, Hailie Deegan, who was once seen as the next big female star in the sport, scaled back to part-time racing this year due to sponsorship issues, leaving Breidinger as the lone consistent female presence on the track.

This gap feels especially striking given the fan base: NASCAR research from 2024 revealed that nearly 40% of the audience identifies as female, underscoring a disconnect between fan interest and the driver lineup. Breidinger’s remarks come at a time when NASCAR’s leadership has been vocal about inclusivity as a key growth focus.

Yet for those actually fighting to secure rides, sponsorships, and races, progress feels frustratingly slow. For Breidinger, her spot in NASCAR is proof that change is possible, but she also pointed out, “I think there should be more girls with the opportunities I’ve had.” Her words say both pride in her own journey and a call for the industry to finally deliver on the momentum it’s promised for years.

Breidinger isn’t alone in questioning how quickly things are moving in NASCAR.

What Other NASCAR Drivers Are Saying About Gender Equality?

Many drivers, both male and female, have spoken up recently about the challenges and possibilities of making the sport more inclusive. Their views show that while Breidinger carries the spotlight for female drivers, a wider conversation is happening among her peers.

Hailie Deegan, who has been both celebrated and scrutinized as a high-profile female driver, shared earlier this season how expectations often come with extra pressure. After moving to a lighter schedule in 2025, Deegan said, “There are a lot of challenges when you’re a girl in racing. It’s tough because I feel like you’re often seen as someone who can be taken advantage of on the track.”

On the men’s side, drivers like Denny Hamlin have pointed out that the talent is there, but opportunities don’t always follow. Speaking at a media event earlier this year, Hamlin said, “I think our sport benefits greatly from having a successful female driver in NASCAR. Danica Patrick, even if her results weren’t top-tier, did a lot for our sport and its visibility. Fans really appreciated that, and it brought new attention and fans to NASCAR.”

Meanwhile, retired drivers have also lent their voices. Danica Patrick, who remains the most widely recognized female to compete at NASCAR’s highest level, reflected last year that while representation had advanced since her career began, the sport hadn’t delivered the wave of female successors many had predicted.

“It’s ironic that I’m passionate about that because I was a girl in a guy’s sport. There are just clear biological differences between the two. I mean, all you have to do is YouTube or Google some stories of people that took some transition d—- and how different they felt taking testosterone. When it comes to strength and sheer potential, there’s just no question that guys are able to achieve more than women.” Patrick admitted.

Together, these voices show Breidinger’s disappointment isn’t isolated—it’s part of a shared acknowledgment across NASCAR. While the commitment to diversity is discussed on corporate stages, drivers themselves recognize that building equality in the garage requires more than slogans: it requires breaking the structural barriers that keep female participation rare instead of routine.