Meet Kyle Larson’s Family: His Parents and His Sister Andrea Larson

Rewind to the 2013 Xfinity race at Daytona Beach, the No. 32 car went airborne, shattering the catch fence and sending engine parts and debris hurtling into the stands. A multi-car pileup on the track adds to the mayhem. Fast forward to 2020, a 28-year-old hotshot, finds himself suspended indefinitely from NASCAR for breach of protocol. Chip Ganassi Racing suspended him without pay, and he was even barred from iRacing. It was a dark chapter for the once-promising talent. But as they say, legends are born from adversity.

Come 2021, this same driver will claim the NASCAR championship for Hendrick Motorsports at Phoenix Raceway. It was a season for the ages and a comeback of the century. It’s a story that mirrors the thunderous roar of race cars and the indomitable spirit of a racer who refused to be defined by setbacks. The headlines proclaim his name once again, and the name Kyle Larson becomes synonymous with triumph.

This story traces back to Elk Grove, California, where a spur-of-the-moment decision put 7-year-old Kyle Larson in a second-hand orange ride with a No. 1 decal. Who could have guessed that this would mark a journey to the pinnacle of racing? And it’s all thanks to his dad, who Larson proudly claims as his role model.

Who is Kyle Larson’s father?

In a sport where the margin between victory and defeat is razor-thin, Kyle’s father, Mike Larson, has been the steady hand on the wheel, guiding him through the twists and turns of his career. Kyle’s meteoric career owes much of its success to his father. While many drivers draw inspiration from racing legends, Larson acknowledged his father as his ultimate role model.

“My dad is definitely one of my biggest role models. He’s always been there to support me and give me advice, both on and off the track. From the time I started racing, both he and my mom taught me to be respectful of other competitors and encouraged me to have a good attitude regardless of what happened on the track.” Early lessons with Mike in sportsmanship and character have proven to be the bedrock of Kyle’s career. “Those qualities continue to help me in my career and have definitely helped me earn the respect of veterans in NASCAR.”

Are Kyle Larson’s parents Japanese?

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Kyle Larson is the son of an interracial couple, making him the only active Asian-American driver in the Cup Series. Larson’s middle name, ‘Miyata,’ carries with it a connection to Japan, meaning ‘rice paddy of the shrine.’ This name links him to his Japanese heritage, which he inherited from his mother, Janet. On the other hand, his father is of Caucasian descent.

Who is Kyle Larson’s Mom?

Kyle Larson’s mother, Janet Larson, plays a quietly influential role. Born to Japanese-American heritage, Janet holds Japanese-American nationality and has been a steadfast supporter of her son’s racing journey since its very inception. When Kyle and his father, made the impulsive decision to buy their first car, Janet embraced Kyle’s newfound pursuit of racing with open arms.

“Kyle and I made the decision to buy that car; didn’t say anything to Mom. It was one of those ‘Let’s just keep this to ourselves and get the car home, and then we will deal with the apologies.’ We pushed that car from that house, about 100 yards away, over to ours and rolled it up into the garage and I remember her coming out saying, ‘What is this?’ Kyle and I just both kind of smiled at her and said, ‘We’re going racing.’ Obviously, she accepted it,” Mike shared.

Throughout Kyle’s rise in NASCAR, Janet and her husband, have been dedicated fans, supporting Kyle from the grandstands. This journey has been marked by many missed moments, as they watched his triumphs from afar. They missed his debut wins across the K&N Series, Truck Series, Xfinity Series, and even his first Cup Series victory. Yet, for them, the joy of seeing their son succeed eclipses the need to be physically present at every race.

Watch this story: Chase Elliott Makes a 4-Word Revelation on His Clash With Kyle Larson

As Mike put it, “That’s OK though. As long as he wins, I don’t have to be there. Janet and I would have been in the grandstands anyway, that’s where we go every time to watch him race. It would have taken us half the (victory) ceremony anyway just trying to get back over there (to Victory Lane).”

For Janet and Mike, the racetrack grandstands have been their chosen vantage point, where they cheer on their son’s every lap.

What do we know about Kyle Larson’s sister Andrea?

Amidst the roaring engines and cheering crowds, there always exists a quiet pillar of strength, seldom seen but undeniably crucial. And for Kyle, it is his sister – Andrea Larson. Born and raised in Elk Grove, California, Andrea, also known as Andrea Mariko, is an older sister to Kyle. Her life remains largely private, shielded from the prying eyes of the media, but her unwavering support for her brother and her deep love for her niece and nephew are quiet constants in her world.

Andrea’s journey began at Elk Grove High School, where her academic foundation laid the groundwork for her professional life. She now works as an Account Manager for a World of Outlaws Sprint Car Team based in Cornelius, North Carolina.

While her brother’s career skyrocketed, Andrea chose to stay out of the limelight, previously working as a record manager at Spire Sports and Entertainment and later as a marketing consultant at Young’s Motorsports LLC. In addition to her ventures in the sports and entertainment industry, Andrea has also contributed to her brother’s organization where she served as the record manager for Kyle Larson Open Wheel, based in Mooresville, North Carolina.

How Kyle Larson’s family helped him find his calling on the racetrack

Kyle Larson’s remarkable journey to racing stardom was an unexpected twist of fate. At just 31 years old, he stands as one of NASCAR’s brightest talents, but his roots lie far from the racetrack. A chance encounter dating back to 1999, with their neighbor changed everything for the Larsons. Their neighbor was a successful Outlaw kart driver which led Kyle and Mike to make a spontaneous decision that would alter their lives forever.

They purchased the second-hand orange car, sneaking it into their garage before breaking the news to Mom. The already existing orange color scheme would become a defining element of Kyle’s racing persona. With limited resources, they crafted a simple No. 1 decal for Kyle’s fresh racing endeavors.

As Kyle honed his skills, transitioning from karts to open-wheeled cars and Sprint cars, his talent began to shine. In 2011, racing at a national level in Indiana, Kyle started winning major open-wheel midget and Sprint car races. It was a turning point for Mike, who realized his son had the potential to become a NASCAR driver.

Initially, their family dream was modest – for Kyle to race Sprint cars full-time and make a living from it. Yet, Kyle’s ascent to the Cup Series in 2014, earning Rookie of the Year honors, proved that destiny had grander plans in store. From a chance kart purchase to NASCAR glory, anything beyond their initial aspirations is the sweetest icing on an already delicious cake of success as Mike shared.

Who is Kyle Larson’s wife?

Kyle Larson’s life also takes on a different pace away from the race track, thanks to the steadfast presence of his better half, Katelyn Sweet. Born in Grace Valley, California, Katelyn Sweet grew up in a family closely tied to the world of racing. Her elder brother, Brad Sweet, is a professional race car driver and a veteran of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, while Katelyn charted her own path, becoming a skincare and beauty expert. Her talents and interests extended beyond the racing circuit, as she ventured into equestrian sports and even took on the challenge of marathon running.

Amidst the storms that occasionally tested their relationship, including Kyle’s suspension from NASCAR, Katelyn remained an unwavering source of strength for her husband. Their love, built on a deep foundation of trust and commitment, weathered every challenge and flourished in the moments of pure joy that parenthood brought. In 2014, they welcomed their first child, Owen Miyata Larson. Four years later, their family expanded with the arrival of a baby girl, Audrey Layne Larson, in May 2018. And the year 2023 the Larsons welcomed their second son, Cooper Donald Larson.

Read more: “I Hate the Racing” – Kyle Larson Goes on a Ballistic Rant Against NASCAR, Supporting Wife’s Condemnation

Kyle “Wheelman” Larson has etched his name into the annals of NASCAR. As he dons the iconic number 5 for Hendrick Motorsports in 2023, Larson’s presence on the grid is unmistakable as more often than not, you’ll find his Chevy at the forefront leading the pack.

With multiple wins this season, Kyle has proven his mettle as a seasoned veteran in pursuit of his second championship title. And there is surely a lot more success ahead of the family man.