NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, who has dominated tracks across the country, opened up about his greatest concern as his children, Owen and Audrey, begin forging their own paths in the world of racing. As the Larson family turns racing into a shared passion, Kyle’s biggest worries are rooted not in the sport’s risks, but in his kids’ emotional responses to the intense competition of youth motorsports—a topic every parent of aspiring athletes understands.
A Racing Family on the Rise
The Larson family recently showcased their racing prowess in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Kyle’s children, Owen and Audrey, both participated in the highly competitive Tulsa Shootout. This came on the heels of Larson’s own triumph in Australia’s High Limit Racing exhibition, highlighting a remarkable run of successes for the entire household. Siblings Owen and Audrey didn’t just enter for the thrill—they each claimed heat race wins in their respective divisions, quickly establishing themselves as young drivers to watch.
The children’s burgeoning racing careers echo the path set by their championship-winning father. While Owen, at age 11, conquered a heat in the Winged A-Class division, his younger sister Audrey, just seven, captured victory in the Junior Sprint category. Their performances were both a source of pride and a trigger for new parental concerns for Larson, who knows both the joy and disappointment racing can bring.
What Keeps Kyle Larson Up at Night?
After their strong showings in Tulsa, Kyle Larson joined Clinton Boyles and FloRacing for a candid interview about his life as both a professional driver and a racing dad. Boyles asked the question many parents might have: is it nerves about safety, or do other anxieties linger as the kids pursue their dreams?
“So what’s it been like having both your kids now, started racing, I mean, started off pretty young. Is there any nerves as a father there, or do you feel pretty calm about it all?”
— Clinton Boyles, Interviewer
Larson was quick to clarify that danger isn’t his major concern. With years of experience under his belt, he’s well aware of the sport’s risks and believes his children, raised in a racing family, understand them too. For Kyle, the anxiety comes from watching his kids compete and knowing firsthand the pain of coming up short on the track.
“I just don’t want them to like, when they’re running up front, you know, like I don’t want them to get passed late, fall back and miss the transfer,”
— Kyle Larson, Driver
“I know how dejected and they’re gonna be and sad. And you don’t ever want to see your kid being dejected or sad.”
— Kyle Larson, Driver
The emotional highs and lows of racing remind Larson of his own childhood dreams and setbacks. Despite his confidence in their abilities, he worries about the moments when his children, like any racers, will face disappointment—a universal parental fear magnified by the competitiveness of motorsport.
Celebrating Victories and Sharing Joy
Kyle Larson’s pride is evident, not only in how his kids handle adversity but in how they achieve success. Watching Owen and Audrey win on the dirt tracks of Tulsa delivered an unexpected wave of excitement for Kyle. Their victories rekindled his competitive spirit and brought the same “butterflies” he feels before his own races.
“I had like, the nerves, butterflies, excited feeling like emotions of myself winning a main event, so it’s just really cool seeing them do, I mean, better than I thought they would’ve this week too,”
— Kyle Larson, Driver
This emotional connection to his children’s milestones is a rewarding aspect for Larson. For him, sharing the racetrack—and the accompanying thrills—with Owen and Audrey makes the experience deeply meaningful. “It’s been awesome,” Larson summed up in a brief but heartfelt statement.
Sibling Rivalry and Individual Strengths
Both Owen and Audrey are carving out distinct identities on the racing scene. According to their father, each child brings particular strengths and personalities to the sport. While Owen is described as more similar to Kyle in personality, Audrey stands out for her competitive drive and fiery spirit.
“I think she’s just really competitive. On the racing side of it, she’s probably more similar to me than Owen would be. Owen, personality-wise, is more similar to me. Audrey is very fiery and has lots of personality and attitude. I’m not like that, but yeah, the competitive mindset is probably more similar with me.”
— Kyle Larson, Driver
The family atmosphere of the Tulsa Shootout fosters growth, camaraderie, and drive among all the young racers involved. With both children posting impressive performances, the Larson family aims to leave Tulsa with a Golden Driller Trophy—cementing their growing reputation in youth racing circuits.
Tulsa Shootout: A Gathering of Racing Dynasties
The Tulsa Shootout has become more than just a one-off event for the Larsons; it’s growing into a family tradition. This year’s event also drew participation from another NASCAR star, Kyle Busch, and his son Brexton, underscoring how motorsport has become a family affair for many of racing’s elite. For the fourth consecutive year, Busch and Brexton raced in the event, covering the top four divisions—much like the Larsons.
Owen Larson managed a busy week, competing in Restricted, Stock Nonwing, and Winged A-Class divisions, demonstrating his adaptability across various formats. His younger sister Audrey upheld the family name on the Junior Sprint circuit, and her win notched another milestone in her father’s footsteps.
Meanwhile, the Busch family also sought top honors. Young Brexton, fresh off last year’s Junior Sprint title, expanded his efforts to all major classes, including Winged Outlaw and Restricted A-Class. This confluence of successful racing families at Tulsa highlights an emerging pattern in youth motorsport, where children of well-known drivers are given the tools and opportunities to chase checkered flags of their own.
The Emotional Journey Ahead for the Larson Family
For Kyle Larson, the biggest hurdle isn’t whether his children, Owen and Audrey, can keep up with the competition or make a mark in their races. It’s how they’ll handle the inevitable setbacks and heartbreaks that come with pursuing ambitious dreams. His perspective, formed by years behind the wheel and countless emotional ups and downs, offers a window into the deep bond between racing parents and their kids.
As the Tulsa Shootout continues and the racing season rolls on, the Larson children’s progress will be watched closely by fans and fellow racers alike. More than just trophies or victories, Kyle Larson’s greatest hope is that his kids can learn, persevere, and find lasting joy in the world that has given their family so much purpose and excitement. The journey of the “Kyle Larson kids racing” story is only beginning, promising both challenges and triumphs for the next generation of drivers.
