Toni Breidinger Teams Up With Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Prodigy, Days After Las Vegas GP Cameo

After two full-time seasons competing in the ARCA Menards Series, Toni Breidinger will now be seen competing at the Craftsman Truck Series in 2025. The former Venturini Motorsports driver has partnered with Tricon Garage and will pilot the No. 5 entry. However, this move leaves the door open for speculation surrounding Dean Thompson’s future in the team.

The 2024 season has been eventful for Breidinger, and she had a consistent outing driving the No. 25 entry for Venturini Motorsports. With a total of eleven top 10 results, she managed to end her season by placing fourth in the championship standings, which is her best result so far. And she’s now eager to prove her mettle in the Truck Series next year.

Toni Breidinger is excited to embark on her new racing journey

Unlike Hailie Deegan, Breidinger stuck with TRD and will now compete in one of the best teams in the Truck Series garage. Deegan was on a similar trajectory with Toyota’s backing in the K&N Pro Series West, but she switched to Ford racing. Despite three full seasons at the truck level, her journey ended on a sour note with AM Racing.

Breidinger recently featured at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, not as a driver but as a model. She was representing brands like Gap, Victoria’s Secret, and Free People. But, with this announcement, she is now looking forward to a new chapter of her racing career.

“Racing full-time with Tricon is a dream for me. It’s been a 15-year process to get here, but I’m so excited for this moment and ready to capitalize on it.” She said in a statement. As far as sponsors go, she will be backed by brands like Raising Cane’s, Celsius, and Sunoco. 2025 will mark Breidinger’s first full-time run in NASCAR. She has four starts in the Truck Series; her best finish, 15th, came in her debut at the Kansas Speedway.

She will be joining the likes of Tanner Gray and Corey Heim at Tricon Garage. Heim was linked with a move to 23XI Racing as Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin have expanded to a three-car operation for next year. However, Riley Herbst from Xfinity Series found his place on the team, which will see Heim continue racing in the Truck Series for Tricon in 2025. While Heim loses out on his 23XI spot, he still has prospects with Toyota.

Because of their connection with Joe Gibbs Racing, Heim may still have a shot at a seat in one of the top teams. While it may not be a Cup Series spot, especially with his sour relationship with Ty Gibbs from their days in the ARCA Menards Series, an Xfinity seat may still be on the cards.

Toni Breidinger remains an incredible prospect for Tricon Garage. A full-time racer in the ARCA Menard Series, Breidinger made a few starts in the Truck Series last year. In addition to her strong statistics in the ARCA Menards and the USAC, Breidinger also leads in terms of engagement and social media value compared to other NASCAR drivers.

However, this new announcement could see Dean Thompson making his exit from the team. Perhaps the rumors about him moving to the Xfinity Series might be coming true.

Dean Thompson confirms his departure from Tricon Garage

With Toni Breidinger announced as the driver of the #5 entry, Thompson has now followed up with an announcement of his own. The driver led the #5 team for two full-season runs in the Truck Series but has yet to clinch a win for himself. He did have six top-10 results this year, but that could only help him secure a 16th finish in the championship standings.

Now that his run with Tricon Garage is coming to an end, the driver has nothing but fond memories from his time with the team. “I’m thankful to have called the 5 and @TRICONGarage my home for the past two years. As I move on from this team, I want to say thank you, David Gilliland. Derek Smith Doug Campbell and all the dawgs I’ve had on the 5 crew for helping me grow as a driver so I can further pursue my dream. I can’t wait to share the next chapter of my career with you guys. #L5G.” He shared this update on X.

There have been rumors that Thompson might end up at Sam Hunts Racing in the Xfinity Series. He did have two starts for the team this year at Charlotte and Talladega, and given the Toyota connection, this move might be on the cards for the young driver. Corey Heim, Jeffery Earnhardt, and Sage Karam shared part-time duties for SHR in 2024, and with these links, they might be rolling a full-time ride for next year. But without an official announcement, these links are nothing but just rumors and speculation.