Hillsborough's Breidinger sisters wrap up first season on the midget-car circuit

With the United States Auto Club wrapping up its Honda Performance Development Western Pavement Series Saturday, the Breidinger girls were busy at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway completing their first season of racing on the midget-car circuit.

In the 20-race season, spanning three different states, Toni Breidinger finished the year in second place with 955 points. Annie Breidinger took fourth place with 756 points. Shawn Buckley of Simi Valley captured first place with 1,188 points.

Having raced Micro Max go-karts since they were 9, the Breidingers graduated to midget cars this year, which use 2000 cc Ford Focus engines with 170 horsepower to reach up to 110 mph.

“I think I surprised myself because I wasn’t really expecting that much from the season,” Toni Breidinger said. “I just wanted to learn and get used to the car. Then the first couple races, I did pretty good. So, I was surprised. My goal was just to hold on to second (place), and I did.”

Toni Breidinger’s 2014 finale didn’t go the way she wanted it to. On Friday, the day before the race, she noticed something was wrong with her car. It wasn’t until Saturday when her mechanic, her father Charles Breidinger, diagnosed the problem as the car having faulty breaks. As not to withdraw from the event, Toni Breidinger took a courtesy lap around the track to qualify as a participant, but did not actually compete in the race.

“My first reaction was I was a little bit disappointed because I wasn’t sure how the points would play out,” Toni Breidinger said. “But we looked through the points and saw they would be fine [to clinch second place for the season]. So I wasn’t that worried about it after. But my first reaction I was pretty upset.”

On two other instances this the season, Toni Breidinger’s car — which sports the No. 80 — was not fit to compete. On those occasions, as she had a better overall season standing than her sister, Annie Breidinger sat out to allow Toni Breidinger the use of her No. 75 car.

There were no such problems on Sept. 13, however, when Toni Breidinger captured the first featured win of her career. The victory came at the Harvest Classic at Madera Speedway. Toni Breidinger jumped out to a lead from the start and held it throughout the 30-lap race until the checkered flag.

“I think I was pretty quick that day, so it wasn’t too difficult for me to lead,” Toni Breidinger said. “But the guy behind me was pretty close, so … I just had to not tire out which was the hardest part.”

The guy behind her was eventual second-place finisher Dylan Nobile. Since midget cars don’t have rearview mirrors, Toni Breidinger just set her mind to having a flawless race. It was a hot evening on a slick track though, so many of the cars were struggling with sliding, she said.

Toni Breidinger said she prevailed by choosing a different line than most of her competitors and ultimately was able to hold off Nobile and the rest of the 12-car field. It was quite a performance, considering Annie Breidinger’s evaluation of Madera being notorious for cars being able to pass because of the slightly slower pace of the compact track.

Yet, after a race that was both physically and emotionally draining, the pomp and circumstance of the post-race celebration was lost on Toni Breidinger — for the most part.

“I think I was mostly really tired and still had the adrenaline,” she said. “So, I wasn’t really thinking too much about it. But it was cool.”

Now the sisters are gearing up for a return for their second season in January. Annie Breidinger said she’s looking forward to her return to the competitive circuit.

“I learned a lot because it’s really different than go-karts,” Annie Breidinger said. “And now, I’m a lot more competitive about it.”

During that same month of January is when the sisters plan to receive their learner‘s permits so, when their 16th birthdays roll around next July, the now 15-year-old racecar veterans and Hillsborough natives can apply for their actual driver’s licenses.

In the meantime, they won’t exactly be retiring their midget cars for the winter. The plan is to travel to Willow Springs International Raceway several times during the offseason for practice heats.

Toni Breidinger isn’t quite calling it a wrap on her 2014 festivities though. She will be travelling to Indianapolis for the USAC Night of Champions, an awards banquet where she will be recognized for her second-place finish on the Western Pavement Series.