r/ARCARacing 14d ago

Isabella Robusto’s future

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think she’s signed on through next year for Nitro, so she could be looking for a ride next season.

Should she stay in ARCA for a third season or should try to make the move up to trucks, and ply her trade there?

19 Upvotes

16 comments sorted by

19

u/KyPry 14d ago

She hasn’t really done anything to prove to me she’s ready for trucks, but I say she should just go wherever her best opportunity lies. There won’t be many chances left for her, so she needs to go as big as she can and try and get some good results.

4

u/jonpierre008 14d ago

Yeah that’s kinda my stance as well. Don’t think another season of ARCA does her any good. Go big or go home imo

2

u/pdcolemanjr 14d ago

Is she bringing money though? If so if the check can still be cashed the door will always be open

2

u/jonpierre008 14d ago

I have no clue if she has funding or not.

3

u/DittoheadGad 14d ago

Her sponsors seem to always be one of the TRD Driver Development Program sponsors, so I’m guessing she doesn’t bring her own funding. (Mobil 1 & Yahoo on Robusto’s cars; JBL, Safelite, and SoundGear also are TRD sponsors - in case you wonder why those sponsors also show up a lot on other Toyota prospects and the JGR cars)

3

u/jonpierre008 14d ago

I’d have to think she’d stick with Toyota if she ever moved up

15

u/MidNightMoon_x 14d ago

She's studying in Aerospace so even if she washes out she's got arguably a more successful career path

6

u/MarkKristl 13d ago

Speaking from my observations, Isabella Robusto should run another ARCA season. She’s trailed her teammates Jake Bollman & Thomas Annunziata on pure speed. There’s a big difference between running at racetracks vs. running well at racetracks. I fear if she would move up to Trucks, she’d be in over her head, similar to some other ARCA graduates who didn’t win races or even regularly lead laps.

4

u/jonpierre008 12d ago

Fair enough. I’m 50/50 on it, not sure another season of ARCA does much for her but also moving up could be detrimental to her career overall.

I also do wonder if Nitro plans on bringing her back, with Jade on the horizon ( who has been faster than her and even Bollman in the limited starts she’s made.) Maybe Annunziata moves to trucks and Jade gets the 70.

1

u/BlingyBling1007 12d ago

Do you see Isabella Robusto making at least one truck start for Tricon this year?

1

u/MarkKristl 8d ago

Isabella Robusto doesn't bring sponsorship so I don't foresee it. Yes, Thomas Annunziata made a start, but he was viewed as a road-course ringer & he brings funding. Gavan Boschele has more races left on his schedule too. Corey Heim is eligible for Truck points so he too can run those Chase races. One start, obviously, wouldn't be a bad idea, but I wouldn't bet on it, either. Full disclosure, I'm not lucky though, so write my thoughts in pencil, not pen.

1

u/Comfortable_Law9489 9d ago

Arca not doing her any good and toyota seems to just leave her stagnant , might as well give trucks a shot not accomplishing anything in arca, she is talented and should be able to catch on in trucks in a fairly decent amount of time needs truck starts to gain experience and simulator time I mean toni breidinger is doing it and has been in the middle of pack or 20 something, she does bring sponsorship toni does, isabella another year would be a waste of time unless it is with truck team and few strategic arca starts with that team.

1

u/MarkKristl 8d ago

Toni Breidinger has four lead-lap finishes in 32 career Truck starts. She has three DNQs. The only reason she has her part-time ride is that she brings sponsorship. Poor example.

You have an OK point that a Truck Series start wouldn't be the worst possibility. Far worse, less-qualified drivers have competed in the series. Sadly, if Robusto makes one & struggles, though, the haters will be out in full force, & that'd be unfortunate.

From an on-track evaluation, I'd recommend Robusto run one more full-time year with Nitro. Let's see if the third time's the charm & year two of Nitro as the No. 1 for driver development makes a difference.

0

u/Outsidefromtheinside 10d ago

We talked about this in 2024. Kris wright out ran her every week and he was higher in points without the Toyota support

1

u/Zealousideal-Dot2757 6d ago

Idiot. Robusto ran 4 races, Wright ran every race. And their stats were about the same.

1

u/Outsidefromtheinside 6d ago

Uhh. Look at the stats of the year after if you compare the two years completely different. When did Isabella finish second? Or even third in the championship.