{"id":194428,"date":"2025-10-01T09:55:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T09:55:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/194428\/"},"modified":"2025-10-01T09:55:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T09:55:13","slug":"driver-isabella-robusto-is-racing-toward-nascar-glory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/194428\/","title":{"rendered":"Driver Isabella Robusto Is Racing Toward NASCAR Glory"},"content":{"rendered":"

At just 20 years old, Isabella Robusto is already rewriting what it means to be a race car driver<\/a>. In a sport still largely dominated by men, she\u2019s on a path toward success, while also earning a degree in college \u2014 a balance that proves her drive goes far beyond the track.<\/p>\n

Robusto\u2019s racing journey began before most kids even learn how to ride a bike. \u201cI started in go karts when I was 5 years old, and just kind of grew up racing with my brother,\u201d she says in an exclusive interview with Her Campus. \u201c[For] anyone outside of racing, driving at 5 years old seems crazy.\u201d But to Robusto, it never felt unusual. At 8, she was competing in Bandoleros, small, beginner-friendly race cars designed for kids. By 11, she had moved into legend cars<\/a>, faster, vintage-style machines. Soon after, she was racing full-size stock cars that mirror the ones seen in professional NASCAR races.<\/p>\n

Now, she competes full-time with Venturini Motorsports<\/a> in the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Menards Series, a national stock car league often seen as the last stop before NASCAR. But for Robusto, racing is still a family affair. Her twin brother, Will<\/a>, has been alongside her since day one. He\u2019s a driver too, meaning he\u2019s sometimes at races as a rival, but also, always as a supporter. \u201cIt\u2019s been super helpful \u2026 kind of a built-in teammate from the start,\u201d Robusto says. \u201cIt made you race a little bit harder, especially with him out on track \u2026 you wanted the bragging rights, but at the same time, you don\u2019t want to crash him and have the silent car rides home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"IsabellaToyota GAZOO Racing<\/p>\n

That competitive side showed itself in one of Robusto\u2019s biggest moments to date. This year at Talladega Superspeedway, one of the most famous and fastest tracks in NASCAR, Robusto made history with a podium finish<\/a>, placing third \u2014 the best result for a woman at that track in ARCA history. \u201cIt just kind of helped prove that I can run up front with all of the boys and show everyone that I\u2019m there for a reason,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Robusto doesn\u2019t call it a breakthrough so much as a reminder. \u201cI kind of already feel like I should be up front racing with everyone every week anyway,\u201d she says. \u201cBut it helped prove to my team and everyone else that I belong up there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her determination doesn\u2019t stop once the helmet comes off. Away from the track, Robusto is studying aerospace engineering online at Arizona State University. \u201cI always knew that I wanted to get a degree, and I really enjoy 3D printing engineering,\u201d she says. \u201cAerospace covers all of engineering in a simple way, but narrows down in the aero side, which I find fascinating, and it definitely helps with racing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Balancing both worlds isn\u2019t easy, but discipline has been part of her routine for years. \u201cI know that when it\u2019s time to do school, I\u2019m 100% focused on schoolwork, no distractions,\u201d she says. \u201cSame thing with racing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"IsabellaToyota GAZOO Racing<\/p>\n

That drive carries into everything she does, even endurance sports like Spartan Races and triathlons. \u201cDoing something hard just keeps you pushing,\u201d she says. \u201cRace cars are super hot, and you\u2019re in them for a pretty good amount of time. It just helps focus on the thing that matters, and not trying to think about how hot or how tired you are in the race car.\u201d<\/p>\n

The physical challenge is real. \u201cWe have to do a lot of training in heat rooms, lots of saunas, just kind of getting your body prepared for the race car. That\u2019s 140-ish degrees when you\u2019re out there,\u201d she says. \u201cJust holding that sustained G through the corner is also kind of a big toll, so you have to make sure that you\u2019re physically prepared for that with your neck strength and just kind of how your seat\u2019s positioned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even with the grueling demands, Robusto finds ways to slow down. \u201cI like to go on bike rides \u2026 it\u2019s a good way to get some exercise in, but also just kind of be with myself,\u201d she says. \u201cNormally, I\u2019m just out there on my own and go ride for a couple of hours and have some me time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite her varied interests, she always circles back to the same objective. \u201cNASCAR Cup is the goal \u2026 to win the Daytona 500 would be absolutely amazing,\u201d she says. \u201cI want to win lots of NASCAR races.\u201d<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s also a desire to be remembered for more than her racing stats. \u201cI\u2019m caring,\u201d she says when asked how she wants to be remembered. \u201cEspecially if there\u2019s young girls that want to be race car drivers, [I want them to know] that I\u2019m there and I\u2019ll talk to them and help them out.\u201d<\/p>\n

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