On Tuesday night in Salisbury, North Carolina, Kyle Larson‘s 7-year-old daughter, Audrey, secured her first-ever win at Millbridge Speedway, a well-known dirt track for developing young racing talent. This memorable achievement came just days before Kyle Larson was set to compete in the Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16 elimination race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Millbridge Speedway has established itself as a starting ground for the children of both current and retired NASCAR drivers, nurturing their early passions for the sport. For the Larson family, this venue now holds two special memories—first for Owen Larson, Kyle’s son, and now for Audrey.
Kyle Larson Reflects on a Proud Parenting Moment
Speaking with reporters via Zoom on Wednesday, Kyle Larson shared his excitement about witnessing his daughter’s first triumph. While the moment was filled with joy and energy, it also stirred emotions for the NASCAR star, who was grateful to be present for such a significant family milestone.
Obviously, you don’t ever forget a first win. I remember being at Millbridge for (son) Owen’s first win, and then lucky enough to be able to be there for Audrey’s first-ever win as well last night. It was really neat. She’s been doing a really good job. She’s only been racing for about a year and she’s really competitive, and she’s driven and works at it. It was a cool moment for sure. You could see she was happy and she was getting choked up a little bit in her interviews, so it was cool.
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
After the race, Kyle Larson described a touching moment with Audrey in the trailer. Though he stayed composed at first, Audrey’s own emotional reaction brought him close to tears.
I had moments, and then when she told me that she was getting ready to cry afterwards in the trailer, that’s probably when I mostly got choked up,
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
I was the video-taping dad on my phone. So maybe if I’d had my phone down and I really was absorbing the moment, I probably would have cried. It was awesome. She’s my only daughter, so she’s got a soft spot in my heart.
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
Family Approaches Racing with Joy and Balance
Kyle Larson pointed out the different ways his children approach racing. While both Audrey and Owen are consistent competitors, their outlooks vary. The Larsons have not dived into racing with the intensity seen from other NASCAR families, such as Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick, but Kyle noted that Audrey demonstrates a particularly competitive spirit.
We don’t take it quite yet as serious as Kyle or Kevin do,
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
Larson explained that Owen enjoys racing more as a social activity, whereas Audrey is driven to improve, study, and compete. She spends time watching race videos, practicing on simulators, and participating in as many races and practice sessions as she can manage. Kyle appreciates his daughter’s ambition and competitiveness, recognizing traits similar to his own, but he wants to keep the sport enjoyable for both of his kids, careful to avoid burnout.
I think Audrey is going to run like 30 races this year, and Owen’s like in the mid-50s. It sounds like a lot, but it’s not that crazy when you factor in Brexton’s probably running 400 races this year. But it’s fun and I just enjoy seeing them have a good time and building memories.
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
Looking Ahead: Racing and Family Memories Continue
For the Larsons, including Kyle, Audrey, and Owen, racing at Millbridge Speedway means more than results—it represents cherished family time, personal achievements, and shared passion. While the focus remains on keeping things fun for the kids, the energy and commitment Audrey has shown at just seven years old foreshadow an exciting future. As Kyle Larson returns to his own high-stakes race at Bristol Motor Speedway, he does so with pride, inspired by his daughter’s breakthrough on the track and the memories his family continues to create in the world of racing.
