AVONDALE, AZ - MARCH 08: Kyle Larson 5 Hendrick Motorsports HendrickCars.com Chevrolet looks on before the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 500 on March 8, 2026 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 08 NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 500 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260308039

Jul 15, 2026, 12:00 PM CUT

Rising female prodigy admits her NASCAR inspiration in former teammate Kyle Larson's "unreal talent"

NASCAR’s rising star Jade Avedisian continues to make a way for herself to the top ranks of the series. The 19-year-old ARCA driver, also the first woman to win a CARS Tour race, has recently revealed drawing inspiration from Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson.

Larson, who also races on dirt tracks, shared the Keith Kunz Motorsports garage with Avedisian in 2020 briefly. However, this was a dream come true for Avedisian as she always looked up to the future two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion.

During a recent interview with NASCAR broadcaster Kaitlyn Vincie for "People who Race," Avedisian spoke about the opportunity to learn from Larson and also praised HMS' Christopher Bell for their talents.

LINCOLN, AL - APRIL 26: Kyle Larson 5 Hendrick Motorsports Valvoline Chevrolet at his car before the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Jack LinkÕs 500 race on Sunday April 26, 2026 at the Talladega Superspedway in Lincoln, AL. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire AUTO: APR 26 NASCAR Cup Series Jack LinkÕs 500 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon95326042600221

"I’ve talked with him a few times as teammates and at the Chili Bowl," she told Vincie. "Anytime I’m around him, I try to pick his brain as much as I can. In my opinion, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell are second to none as race car drivers. Their talent is unreal."

She went on to explain that their ability to excel across various racing disciplines is what she admires.

"The way they can go from dirt to pavement, be so fast, and pick things up so quickly is incredible to me. I’ve always admired their race craft, whether I was watching them on television or in person," Avedisian added.

As of now, Jade Avedisian is racing part-time in the ARCA Menards Series with Nitro Motorsports. She also races with Wilson Motorsports in Late Model Racing.

Her talent has been recognized for quite some time, with Kenny Wallace showering her with high praise for her racecraft. Moreover, back in 2023, Christopher Bell praised the young driver with a flattering compliment too.

When NASCAR Cup star Christopher Bell compared Jade Avedisian to Kyle Larson

In 2023, Jade Avedisian won two Xtreme Outlaw races before signing with KKM in February that year. Former KKM driver Christopher Bell, who ascended to NASCAR's top tier, congratulated her for her rise through dirt racing.

In an interview with Xtreme Outlaw Midgets, Bell showered praises on NASCAR’s rising star. He said,

"Jade has been, I would say, one of the first [women] to [contend for wins] on a week-in and week-out basis. I think that she’s just going to continue to improve as she matures and learns how to harness that speed and know when it’s important to be pushing and when it’s not important to be pushing."

He then compared her to Kyle Larson due to her composure and her driving style.

"In that respect, she’s a lot like Kyle Larson. He was going for a new track record every lap he ran," Bell added.

From drawing inspiration from Kyle Larson to being compared to the man himself, Avedisian is having quite the journey.

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Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak