Nitro Motorsports Taps Isabella Robusto for 2nd ARCA Menards Series Run in 2026

If you’ve been paying attention to the garage area lately, you know the name on everyone’s lips has been Isabella Robusto. After a 2025 season that saw her turning heads and consistently running up front, the question wasn’t if she would land a solid ride for 2026, but where.

Now, we have our answer. In a move that solidifies her spot as one of the most promising talents in the stock car pipeline, Robusto has officially signed a full-time deal with Nitro Motorsports for the 2026 ARCA Menards Series season. She’ll be piloting the No. 55 Toyota Camry, with heavy-hitting sponsorship from Mobil 1 and Yahoo.

A Massive Vote of Confidence

For any young driver, job security is the ultimate luxury. It allows you to focus on the track rather than worrying about where the next sponsorship check is coming from. For Robusto, this deal represents a massive vote of confidence from both Nitro Motorsports and her corporate partners.

Landing backing from global giants like Mobil 1 and Yahoo isn’t something that happens by accident. It speaks to the marketability and raw talent Robusto brings to the table. We aren’t just talking about a driver filling a seat here. We are looking at a program built for a championship run.

Driving for Nitro Motorsports puts Robusto in elite equipment. The team has been aggressively expanding its footprint, and by tapping a talent like Isabella, it is signaling that it wants to collect hardware, not just participate.

Building on a Breakout Rookie Season

To understand why this signing is such a big deal, you have to look at the tape from last year. Robusto didn’t just survive her rookie campaign. She thrived in it. The 2025 season ended with Robusto taking home the ARCA Menards Series Rookie of the Year honors, a title that has launched the careers of many Cup Series regulars. But the trophy only tells half the story. It was her consistency that really impressed the paddock.

Over the course of the season, Robusto racked up nine top-five finishes and 14 top-ten results. In a series where mechanical failures and on-track chaos are the norm, keeping your nose clean and bringing the car home inside the top ten week in and week out is a skill usually reserved for veterans. She showed patience on the short tracks and bravery on the superspeedways, proving she has the versatility needed to climb the NASCAR ladder.

The Nitro Motorsports Connection

There is a palpable excitement coming from the Nitro shop in Mooresville. Nick Tucker, the team’s co-owner, knows talent when he sees it. Tucker has gone on record saying that Robusto possesses not just the speed but the attitude required to win at this level.“She has proven speed, a great attitude, and the work ethic needed to succeed at this level,” Tucker noted.

That mention of “work ethic” is key. In modern racing, the driver who spends the most time in the simulator, studies the most data, and works closest with the crew chief usually finds victory lane. Robusto has developed a reputation for being a student of the sport. She isn’t just showing up on race day hoping for a fast car. She’s helping build it.

Isabella herself seems ready to get to work. “Super excited and thankful to be working with Nitro and Nick Tucker this coming season,” Robusto said regarding the announcement. “Ready to go chase some wins!”

What to Expect from Robusto in 2026

So, what is the ceiling for Isabella Robusto in 2026? Honestly, it’s high. The “sophomore slump” is a real phenomenon in sports, where athletes struggle to match the hype of their debut season. However, everything about this deal suggests Robusto is positioned to avoid that trap.

With a full season of track time under her belt, she returns to circuits she now knows. She understands the aero-push at Kansas, the braking zones at Watkins Glen, and the rhythm of the dirt miles. Pairing that experience with the resources of Nitro Motorsports and the reliability of the Toyota Camry platform makes the No. 55 a legitimate threat for the title.

Final Thoughts

The goal for 2026 is clear: it’s time to turn those top-fives into wins. Robusto has knocked on the door plenty of times. With this new deal, she finally has the keys to kick it open. We will find out more about the rest of the Nitro Motorsports lineup in the coming weeks. Isabella Robusto is locked, loaded, and ready to make 2026 her year.