What’s Happening?

TRICON Garage has finally confirmed its 2025 lineup by announcing the signing of Giovanni Ruggiero on Monday. TRICON is overhauling its lineup ahead of 2025, with its 2024 lineup losing two drivers.

• Giovanni Ruggiero made ten starts in the ARCA Menards Series this season with Venturini Motorsports. However, he competed full-time in the ARCA Menards Series East in 2024, winning one race and finishing third in points. Despite the small sample size, Ruggiero made his name by racing late models on short tracks.
• In signing Ruggiero, TRICON continues to show that it is the key entry point for Toyota Driver Development prospects in the Xfinity Series. The team, formerly with Ford, joined Toyota in 2023 and has since produced solid talent for the manufacturer.
• His signing shows that the 20-year-old seemingly matched expectations in ARCA this season. Ruggiero replaces Taylor Gray in the No. 17. Gray is racing full-time for Joe Gibbs Racing in the 2025 Xfinity Series season.
• Taylor is not the only driver leaving TRICON after 2024. Toni Breidinger will take over Dean Thompson’s No. 5 for next season. According to our sources, Thompson will race with Sam Hunt Racing in the Xfinity Series in 2025. However, Ruggiero will have TRICON veterans Tanner Gray and Corey Heim to rely on in 2025, as both drivers re-signed with TRICON for 2025.

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