Jade Avedisian: Racing Prodigy Breaking Barriers and Inspiring the Next Generation
In the upcoming season, Avedisian will not only defend her title in the Xtreme Outlaw Series with Keith Kuntz Motorsports but will also venture into new territory with the Toyota GR Cup. This series focuses on road course racing, providing her with valuable experience on asphalt, a surface she has less familiarity with compared to dirt tracks. This dual approach is designed to broaden her skill set and prepare her for the complexities of different racing formats.
In a recent interview, Avedisian expressed her excitement about the upcoming season: “I’ve never really had the chance to do so many different types of cars, and obviously, one is on dirt and one is on asphalt. It’s going to be something different, but I’m looking forward to it. I love racing midgets, and I’m also looking forward to getting my feet wet in road course stuff in a GR Cup car. It’s really cool. I’ve tested it a few times, and I had a blast doing it. So, I’m excited to do two different kinds of racing this year. I think it will overall help my growth, making me a better race car driver every single weekend.”
Avedisian’s journey is not just about personal ambition but also about inspiring the next generation of female racers. Despite the occasional negativity on social media questioning women’s place in racing, Avedisian remains focused on her goals. She draws strength from young fans who see her as a role model. “It’s really cool when little girls come up to me and say I inspired them to start racing. It’s hard to put feelings into words, but I remember when I was a little kid, I would always go up to people and dream of racing one day in any type of car. For it to be kind of flipped now is super special to me,” she shared.
Working with Toyota has opened new doors for Avedisian, providing her with resources and support to develop her talents further. She acknowledges the challenge ahead but is optimistic about her growth. “To be a part of the Toyota family is a dream come true. They have done a great job so far to prepare me as best as they can, just because I have realistically no road course experience. They knew going into it that it was going to be a little bit harder for me, but they’ve done a fantastic job of making sure I’m as prepared as I can be, whether it’s a midget or the road course side of things.”
Looking ahead, Avedisian is clear about her ultimate goal: racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. “I’m not sure of my timeline, but my ultimate goal is to be racing on Sundays in the NASCAR Cup Series. I don’t know if that’s going to be 20 years or 5 years, but that is my goal at the end of the day.”
Jade Avedisian’s path is reminiscent of other successful drivers who transitioned from dirt to asphalt, like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell. With her talent, determination, and the backing of Toyota Racing Development, Avedisian is well on her way to becoming a prominent name in motorsport. Her journey not only showcases her skills but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring female racers everywhere.
