In 1949, NASCAR held its first race. Sara Christian made history by starting in that race and even scoring a top-five finish later. At that time, she might have felt that NASCAR would have massive female representation in the upcoming years. But progress for female drivers after her was painfully slow. For decades, female racers barely had a foothold in stock car racing. It wasn’t just about speed on the track. It was about breaking deep-rooted stereotypes off it.
Then, in 2013, Danica Patrick changed everything. Against the odds, she clinched the pole position for the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s biggest event. She wasn’t just another feel-good story. Patrick raced hard and proved her worth. Reflecting on her breakthrough, she said, “I was brought up to be the fastest driver, not the fastest girl.” She focused on speed, not gender, and it paid off. Her history-making run opened doors, inspired young racers, and showed that talent matters more than anything else.
Now, a decade later, another moment is building. After years of disappointment and media hype around a few names, fans have found real hope again. A 20-year-old racer, Isabella Robusto, is proving that talent still talks the loudest. And this time, the NASCAR world is rallying behind her — with no time to second-guess. Last week, Robusto made history at Talladega Superspeedway. She finished third in an ARCA race, the highest a female driver has ever placed at the famed track.
It wasn’t luck or chaos. It was pure, hard-nosed racing. Her drive was smooth, aggressive when needed, and smart when it mattered most. At just 20 years old, she showed the poise of a veteran and the hunger of a champion. Apart from her individual achievement, she also helped her teammate, Lawless Alan, to win his first ARCA race. In the final moments of the General Tire 200, she pushed him enough to stay ahead of the draft when a caution behind them ended the race.
After the race she reflected on her performance with pride but stayed hungry. “Means a lot. I wish I were two spots further ahead,” she said. Her performance reminded everyone that female drivers can fight at the front when given the right tools. The media noticed. Fans noticed. NASCAR itself noticed. Journalist Kaitlyn Vincie and others were quick to celebrate her finish, recognizing its impact beyond just one race.
One fan put it perfectly online: “She’s the only actual female racer with talent as of recent. They cram Toni and Deegan down our throats for being awful, but the actual racer gets ignored.” That frustration isn’t without facts. Robusto’s 2024 season saw her notch two top-fives and three top-ten in just four starts. In 2025, she already has a top-five and a top-ten finish in her first three races. Her average start in 2025 is 5.3 — proof that she’s fast right out of the gate.
However, Robusto’s rise didn’t come overnight. Born in Fort Mill, South Carolina, she started racing go-karts at age five alongside her twin brother, Will. By eight, she was competing in Bandolero cars at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In 2018, she became the first female to win a Legend Car national qualifier in Texas. Her path through the ranks has been fuelled by performance, not publicity.
Growing up in a racing family helped lay the foundation. Her grandfather raced short tracks. That love of speed runs deep in her blood. In 2020, she moved to Late Model Stock Cars with Rev Racing, then shined with Lee Faulk Racing in 2022. She piled up wins, poles, and top-ten finishes before stepping into the ARCA Menards Series. Now, with Venturini Motorsports and Toyota Racing Development backing her, Robusto has big goals for 2025.
She aims to become the first female driver to win a race at this level. “I feel confident going into the season. I’m here to learn but also compete for the title,” she said. With the Tide 150 at Kansas Speedway ahead, she’s ready to chase history once again. For now, Robusto’s story is just beginning. The fans know it. NASCAR knows it. As she climbs higher, all signs point to a bright future.
Fans rally behind Isabella Robusto
The reaction to Isabella Robusto’s Talladega run was immediate and powerful. Fans flooded social media with messages of support, excitement, and — finally — real hope. For a sport long criticized for sidelining real female talent in favor of media darlings, Robusto feels like a breath of fresh air. One fan wrote, “She really does, and she was elated with that P3 finish, even off camera. I saw her get out of her car in the garage, and she was ecstatic, almost like a kid on Christmas.”
That raw joy wasn’t staged for TV cameras. It was real. And it captured why fans are connecting with her — because she’s racing for the right reasons. Another said, “I’ve been rooting for her. I truly hope she gets her win this season. I think she has it in her.” And there’s good reason for that faith. Robusto’s career stats show steady progress: 4 top-ten finishes in just 7 ARCA starts, with an average starting position of 6.4. She also had multiple wins in local and regional racing series.
Another user highlighted her potential: “She’s the real deal. Super raw talent but with some good mentorship and ability to adapt, she will be a race winner in a national series.” Robusto’s work ethic and adaptability are well-documented. Toyota’s Driver Development Manager, Trent Rodriguez, praised her hard work behind the scenes on simulators and at the Toyota Performance Center. Sadly, not all feedback has been positive.
One fan pointed out the online hate, saying, “It’s too bad a bunch of insecure men on Facebook feel the need to insult her looks.” It’s a reminder that while Robusto’s racing is winning fans, the road to respect is still rough. Another fan summed up the problem bluntly: “They cram Toni and Deegan down our throats for being awful, but the actual racer gets ignored.” Deegan had to pause her NASCAR run after her failed Xfinity experiment last year. Whereas, many believe that Breidinger might suffer a similar fate just because of the media hyping her up.
But this time, fans aren’t letting talent go unnoticed. With Robusto, they see the real deal. No hype. No filters. Just raw speed, skill, and heart. For the first time in years, NASCAR fans have someone new to believe in. And they are all in.
The post “Only… Female Racer With Talent”: Fans Pin All Hopes on Rising Female Prospect After Years of ‘Patrick-Deegan’ Slander appeared first on EssentiallySports.
