Kyle Larson, the 2021 Unified Cup Series champion and an American racing icon through and through, has taken a moment from his own glittering career to spotlight a rising star – seventeen-year-old Jade Avedisian. Hailing from Larson’s native state, California, Avedisian made history in 2023 as the first female driver to clinch a national Midget racing series championship under the iconic Keith Kunz Motorsports (KKM) banner.

In a remarkable 2023 season, Avedisian’s partnerships proved to be an integral factor for her success. Endorsed as one of Toyota’s highly advanced crop of ‘development drivers’ (TD2), the budding teenager showcased exceptional determination earning five feature wins, 16 top-fives, and 26 top-10s in 29 races,

Groundbreaking Achievements Draw Acclaim From Cup Star Kyle Larson

Midget racing has become a crucial stepping stone towards a possible NASCAR career, with Toyota investing heavily to create a talent pipeline. Notable NASCAR stars like Christopher Bell, Joe H. Nemechek as well as Kyle Larson himself have raced as TD2 drivers on Midget Series tracks.

Larson, who briefly shared the track with Avedisian in 2020, glorified her prowess, saying, “Jade is really good! I feel like she’s the best female that’s come up in quite a while in the dirt track stuff. She’s got a very aggressive style and she’s fun to watch. I hope she can click off some USAC wins this year. She’s been close for sure. So uh, great lady. Great family, comes from the West Coast too. So that’s another reason for me to cheer for her.”

Larson’s endorsement highlights Avedisian’s unique talent, drawing parallels with his own rise from the California dirt ranks. Furthermore, Avedisian’s affinity for Larson is not just any normal connection.

It’s a nod to a mentor figure who paved the way for drivers like her. Growing up in California’s Central Valley, attending dirt races since near infancy, Avedisian witnessed Larson’s ascent from a promising young star in local dirt tracks to a beloved national racing icon. Her family’s ties to sprint car racing, with her father being a crew member, further solidify these shared roots that bind Avedisian and Larson.

Toyota Prodigy Gears Up for a Pinnacle 2024 Season”

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As Avedisian heads into the 2024 motorsports season, her commitment to excellence remains unwavering. Backed by Toyota Racing Development, KKM, and Cup stars, Jade Avedisian is ready to launch into a thrilling new phase of her promising career.  Avedisian’s recent comments on another video shared by Bob Pockrass of FOX on Twitter, shed some light on her mindset and drive in her quest to become the ‘best female’ driver to come up in a while.

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“I think it’s great to win races and lead laps, but I think it’s another thing to win a championship, and especially after last year, I feel like yeah we won twice but it was more of a wild card, you know. We didn’t podium much; it was either run really bad or win. So to put this whole year together and get multiple podiums and then wins and obviously, get to the championship at the end of the year. I think I showed a lot, and I know everyone at Toyota and Mobil1 are happy,” Avedisian affirmed.

With TRD recently announcing a multi-year commitment to Jade Avedisian, the young Californian is set for a progressive 2024 motorsports season. Avedisian will compete in USAC National Midget and XTREME National Midget races with KKM, alongside the complete Toyota GR Cup schedule with Nitro Motorsports gearing up for a potential full-time future in road-course racing.

In a male-dominated sport, Avedisian stands as one of only seven women in Toyota Racing’s full-time developmental program, solidifying her position as a true trailblazer. As the 17-year-old prodigy continues to make waves, the 2024 season holds the promise of new triumphs and accomplishments for this rising star from California.

Read More: Toyota Announces Multiyear Deal With 17-Year-Old Xtreme Outlaw Midget Champion Sensation Jade Avedisian