19. The Interview: Jade Avedisian
Driver, ARCA Menards Series
Editor’s Note: People Who Race tells the stories behind the faces in motorsports and are told by veteran award-winning television broadcaster Kaitlyn Vincie.
Jade Avedisian’s path to professional racing began with a wide range of sports, but she discovered her true passion the moment she got behind the wheel at just seven years old. She quickly rose through the highly competitive world of dirt racing, earning victories at prestigious events, setting records and establishing herself as one of the sport’s brightest young talents. Her success garnered national attention and paved the way for a transition to stock car racing. Now competing in the ARCA Menards Series, Avedisian continues to prove she belongs.
KAITLYN VINCIE: I want to start at the beginning. You started racing at age 4 as a hobby. Did you decide you wanted to race on your own, or how did that come about?
JADE AVEDISIAN: My dad was always involved in dirt racing. He never raced himself — actually, no one in my family raced — but he worked on dirt sprint cars growing up. When I was born, I was introduced to the sport at a very young age. I think my first race was when I was 6 months old at a dirt track. I’ve been around it basically my entire life. I went to public school, and my dad bought me a quarter midget when I was 4. I tried it out, but I honestly didn’t like it at first. We kept it around for a few more years, and I tried it again when I was 7. That’s when I realized how fun it actually was. I played every sport I could — basketball, volleyball, softball — but nothing else sparked my interest. Racing was the only thing I truly loved, and if I was going to chase a dream, that was the one I wanted to pursue.
KAITLYN VINCIE: What do you think it was about racing that spoke to you over other sports?
If I’m on a basketball team, there are a lot of other players involved. I’m super competitive, so if someone else wasn’t as competitive or didn’t care about winning as much as I did, I would get upset about it. I liked the competitive side of driving and being able to do it on my own. Obviously, it’s still a team sport, and you have to have good people around you to succeed, but I liked that the driving itself was up to me.
KAITLYN VINCIE: That makes sense. I’ve had other drivers tell me something similar. I think back to you becoming the youngest woman to make the A-Main at the Chili Bowl. It’s tough to survive and advance in that event, so what was that moment like for you?
You’re right — that week is extremely long, and it requires some luck throughout the week, too. That moment meant a lot to me because it was my first Chili Bowl, and I had just turned 16. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I knew I was there with a great group of people, and I knew that if I just did my job, everything would work out. Walking onto the stage for the feature on Saturday and seeing the atmosphere in the stands was amazing. As for the female aspect, I didn’t really care about it then, and I still don’t today. I just want to be the best that I can be and focus on myself.
KAITLYN VINCIE: Speaking of the dirt world, Keith Kunz played a big role in your early career. What has his support meant to you as someone who has done so much in the dirt racing community?
I definitely wouldn’t be the driver or the person I am today without him and Pete Willoughby being in my life while I was growing up. They used to joke with me and say that if I didn’t give 110 percent effort on every lap and backed it down just a little bit, I’d actually do better. There were countless nights when I would be leading, driving way too hard, and end up losing the race, flipping, or whatever the case may be. That was some of the best advice I’ve ever been given. Once I really understood it and applied it, my season started to turn around in 2023.
KAITLYN VINCIE: You’ve obviously seen a lot of Cup stars come over from the dirt side. What’s something dirt racing has taught you that you feel could separate you from other drivers as your career progresses?
I think it’s car control and the ability to think fast. On dirt, you don’t have spotters or anything like that. It’s a sprint to the finish, and most races are only 30 laps. The drivers who can make the quickest and smartest decisions in the moment are ultimately the ones who are going to win. Personally, I’m glad I went from dirt to pavement because I think going from pavement to dirt would have been a much harder transition.
KAITLYN VINCIE: You mentioned the transition to pavement, and in the ARCA Menards Series I cover you in the pits. What has the learning curve been like for you on that side of things?
It’s been tough, for sure. I think if we can just execute a clean race and I do my job, eventually it’ll all come together. Right now, I’m focused on putting complete races together, finishing races and avoiding mechanical failures or anything like that. That way I can learn, process the entire race and get all the laps I can.
One of the biggest challenges I learned at Pocono and Kansas is the air. Everyone talks about it, but dirty air is no joke. When you actually experience it, it’s crazy. The way the air affects the car, how the restarts play out — all of that has been different from super late model racing or dirt racing. It’s definitely been a learning experience, but I’m grateful I get the opportunity to do this.
KAITLYN VINCIE: I read that Kyle Larson was one of your favorite drivers growing up. Have you been able to have many conversations with him?
I’ve talked with him a few times as teammates and at the Chili Bowl. 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. 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.
KAITLYN VINCIE: I would agree with that. Lately we’ve seen a strong crop of competitive female drivers coming into NASCAR. What message are you hoping to send to other aspiring drivers?
I hope I can set a good example of myself both on and off the race track. I want to be a good person off the track and a role model for younger girls who want to race or be involved in the sport in some way. I hope I can be someone they look up to for many years. Being a female is part of who I am, but ultimately, when I get in the race car, I just want to be the best that I can be. I also want to be the best I can throughout the week by being as prepared as possible and fully focused on my own performance.
The last few years I have been saying once Larson is done with nascar, I’m no longer watching it. I will just be watching dirt races, but then another driver catches your eye on the way up the rinks. Keep up the amazing work Jade!
Always, always rooting for the ladies. Thank you, Kaitlyn for shining the light on these young women. Awesome job.