Toni Breidinger Exits Watkins Glen Race Early as Crew Chief Cayden Replaces Driver in Shocking Moment

Venturini Motorsports driver Toni Breidinger faced yet another setback in her challenging season as she was forced to exit the Watkins Glen race early due to an injury. Breidinger, who had burned her foot in a previous race, attempted to compete but had to bow out midway, leaving her crew chief, Cayden Lapcevich, to step in as her replacement.

The young driver’s early exit from the race is just one part of a season marked with misfortune, including wrecks and a general lack of performance. As Breidinger exited at the halfway point, her crew chief, a 24-year-old with a 2016 NASCAR Canada Series championship under his belt, took on the driver’s seat, aiming to manage the 25 car through the remainder of the race. With Breidinger sidelined, all eyes turned to Lapcevich, who hoped to salvage a challenging situation and maintain the car’s integrity.

Venturini Motorsports, the team behind Breidinger, had high expectations for the season. They expected to be competing for the points lead, potentially achieving a race win. However, Breidinger’s injury and a string of unfortunate events have severely impacted their expectations.

Connor Zilisch was the dominant driver of the race with unmatched lap times and securing his standing as a rising star in NASCAR. With a new Red Bull sponsorship and a forthcoming debut in the Xfinity Series, Zilisch’s performance was unsurprising.

NASCAR Driver, Toni Breidinger attends Raising Cane’s International Women’s Month Event at Phoenix Kart Racing Association Track on March 07, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. Toni Breidinger exits Watkins Glen race early due to injury, leading…

Greg Doherty/Getty Images for Raising Cane’s

Breidinger recently signed with IMG Models, a move reflecting her expanding influence beyond racing.

“I’m excited to partner with IMG Models. Their commitment to supporting women athletes and dedication to promoting gender equity in sports align perfectly with my own values,” Breidinger said, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports.

With 2.7 million Instagram followers, she is leveraging her social media presence to secure opportunities in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle sectors. Her modeling career includes work with brands like Victoria’s Secret, Gap, and Free People, and feature articles in prominent publications such as the New York Times, Flaunt, Marie Claire, Glamour, GQ, and Sports Illustrated.

For now, Breidinger’s immediate focus will be on recovery and preparation for upcoming races.

Qualifying results: General Tire 100 at the Glen at Watkins Glen International