With the 2024 NASCAR season well underway, fans have been greeted with several historic moments when we talk about pushing the envelope of the sport’s inclusivity and diversity. Not only did Rajah Caruth’s win at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the Truck Series race cement the significance of NASCAR’s Drive For Diversity Campaign, but Natalie Decker becoming the third female driver to lead an Xfinity Series race also showcased the rise of women in motorsport. With more opportunities for women and men from diverse backgrounds getting available by the minute, another rising female star shared an exciting announcement that aims to extend further support to women in racing.

Toni Breidinger and Raising Cane’s kick off International Women’s Day with glorious opportunities

While 2024 is certainly shaping up to be a season that pushes diversity forward, it’s no secret just how difficult getting into the top racing series in North America is for any driver. With the competition higher than ever and marketability becoming a big factor, many talents never get to see the light of The Oval. Still, some powerful individuals have been able to surpass all odds to live the dream that many said would be impossible to achieve.

While Toni Breidinger may have had an unfortunate time at the Daytona season opener after her run-in with teammate Gus Dean, the frustrations seem to have died out as she has shifted her focus to what truly matters to her, which is helping other women like her get a fair shot at NASCAR glory as well.

To help out other female drivers looking to make their way to the top of racing, Breidinger’s long-time sponsor and supporter, Raising Cane’s is running an enticing campaign that allows the community to contribute as well!

Taking to X, Breidinger announced the campaign for the 2024 Women’s Day, “Help us support women in sports! Tomorrow March 6th, in advance of International Women’s Day, @raisingcanes is donating $100,000 to the @WomensSportsFdn to help enable girls and women to reach their potential in sports and life. Stop by your local Raising Cane’s to help support the next generation of female athletes!♥” 

Raising Cane’s commitment to promoting women in motorsport in the past was largely championed by Breidinger, who has also appeared in many campaigns for the renowned fast-food chain. But while earlier campaigns would focus more on the tastebuds, this time around, the aim is far nobler.

Seeing the post, the community couldn’t be more excited at the prospect of talent getting a platform to shine, irrespective of their background or gender.

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But when we talk about women in NASCAR, it isn’t just the female drivers who are inspiring others.

How NASCAR’s only African-American female pit-crew member is inspiring the next generation

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At this point, it’s no secret how tough women truly have it in motorsport. Add to that another world of difficulties as a person of color, and you can get a good understanding of how tumultuous the road to NASCAR would have been for the sport’s first Black female pit crew member, Brehanna Daniels.

Starting as a basketball player at Norfolk State University, Daniels’ career path was on a different trajectory until she crossed paths with pit crew coach Phil Horton, who works with the D4D’s host team, Rev Racing.

Soon enough, the two linked up and began training until Daniels made history by becoming the first African-American female pit crew member in NASCAR’s most prestigious series. Horton had shared how difficult the prospect of becoming a pit crew member could be for a woman, owing to the physicality of the work. With that said, Daniels proved that where there is a will, there is indeed a way.

Back when Daniels began making waves in the Cup Series pit lane, aspiring female fans immediately took notice of her unorthodox rise. She stated, “The more I started making noise in this sport when people started learning about me, I started getting pictures in the mail, DMs from parents sending me pictures of their little girls sitting in front of a race car. ‘Look at my daughter trying to be like you,’ Just reading things like that is truly heartwarming.”

And now, Daniels’ focus is to help bring more aspiring Black females to follow in her footsteps. She was quoted by WSOC TV, “This is what I am, this is what I do, who wants to follow me, and that’s where we’re at right now.” Daniels also asked a community-wide question, “Who wants to be the 2nd, the 3rd, and the 4th?” 

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It’s safe to say the future of inclusivity and diversity within NASCAR is promising. But with that said, do you think other rising stars such as Hailie Deegan and Natalie Decker will follow Breidinger’s example?