Kaylee Bryson is set to make her much-anticipated NASCAR ARCA West debut, piloting the No. 17 car for Cook Racing at Sonoma Raceway this Friday. Her entry marks a significant milestone in her racing journey, drawing excitement from the motorsports community as fans prepare to watch the Kaylee Bryson NASCAR ARCA West debut unfold.
Bryson’s Entrance to ARCA West and Racing Credentials
The upcoming event at Sonoma sees Bryson join a competitive field highlighted by noted NASCAR drivers including William Sawalich, Corey Day, Alon Day, and Spencer Gallagher. The race coverage begins on FloRacing at 6:30 pm ET, building anticipation for an action-packed evening. Bryson, at 24, has risen through the ranks with a series of groundbreaking accomplishments, such as being the first woman to win a USAC National Series race at Belleville High Banks Speedway Fairgrounds in Kansas in May 2024. Her previous trailblazing moment came in 2022, when she became the inaugural female qualifier for the A-Main at the storied Chili Bowl Nationals.
Success Beyond Dirt Tracks
Bryson’s skills are not limited to dirt racing circuits. She added to her list of achievements by securing a TransAm SGT championship alongside Sam Pierce Racing in the previous year, underlining her versatility by excelling on road courses. For the 2024 season, she competes in the Trans-Am’s XGT class and delivered a statement victory at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Troy Township, Morrow County, Ohio, on June 21. Attention now centers on how she will perform at the General Tire 200, with observers eager to see if she can add another high-profile accomplishment to her record.
Memorable Chili Bowl Nationals Performance and Industry Recognition
Bryson first captured widespread attention in 2022 thanks to her historic qualification for the A-Main at the Chili Bowl Nationals, a feat that prompted outpourings of support from motorsport’s top names. Notably, Bubba Wallace, who drives the No. 23 for 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, acknowledged her success, saying,
“Kaylee B!!!!!! Nice work!!!” —Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
The achievement was especially meaningful since, prior to Bryson’s run, Harli White had set the best record for women with a 19th-place finish in a B-Feature in 2016. For Bryson, realizing this dream after years of aspirations was a standout career highlight. She shared her excitement and mindset during her post-race remarks:
“It was super fun,” Bryson said during her post-race interview.
“I just had a mindset that I wanted to make the Chili Bowl (A) Feature and it’s been my dream ever since I was just a little girl. You know, coming here we have been super nervous, but amped up at the same time. I’ve just wanted to make this show so bad. So going out there for the B Feature, I just gave it my all and it turned out good for us in the end and we got the win.”
—Kaylee Bryson, Racer
“I can’t thank my team enough: Toyota Racing, James Hodge Toyota and Keith Kunz Motorsports. They really made this possible for me, and I’m just so blessed to have this opportunity,”
she added. —Kaylee Bryson, Racer
During that event, Bryson raced against top-tier Cup drivers such as Christopher Bell and past champion Kyle Larson. Despite facing such formidable competition, she managed to finish 18th in the demanding 55-lap finale, further establishing her position among the sport’s promising talent.
Looking Ahead to the General Tire 200
As Kaylee Bryson prepares for her NASCAR ARCA West debut at Sonoma Raceway, her participation represents a significant leap forward for female representation within the series and for the broader racing world. With eyes on her performance in the General Tire 200, her presence is a testament to her persistence, diverse racing experience, and widespread support from fans and industry veterans. Bryson’s journey may inspire more women to pursue opportunities in high-level motorsports, and her performance at Sonoma will be watched as a pivotal moment in her promising career.
