By Isabella Robusto
Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in the F.A.T. Ice Race weekend in Big Sky with Mobil 1 and Toyota — and it completely redefined what I thought I was capable of, both as a driver and as a competitor.
This wasn’t a typical race weekend.
Racing on ice is unpredictable. The grip you rely on disappears. The instinct to push has to be balanced with patience. It forces you to adapt in real time.
And it challenged me beyond anything I expected.
As a full-time driver in the ARCA Menards Series, I’m used to high speeds and intense competition. But ice racing introduced something completely, a different layer of mental demand.
Car control becomes everything. Your hands are constantly correcting. The margin for error is thin. Moments where instinct had to override hesitation. Growth doesn’t happen when you’re comfortable.
More than anything, the F.A.T. Ice Race tested mindset.
Being part of an event like this pushes you outside your normal environment. Different surface. Different competitors. Different challenges.
If I want to continue growing in motorsports, I can’t just repeat what’s familiar. I have to seek out experiences that stretch me. That expose weaknesses. That sharpen instincts.
Because every new environment teaches you something you can carry forward.
The biggest takeaway?
New experiences shape us for the future. They build resilience. They build adaptability. They build confidence you can’t fake.
And that’s what being #DrivenDifferent is all about.
