Owen Larson, the 10-year-old son of NASCAR driver Kyle Larson, has rekindled his passion for racing after a period of disinterest, thanks to his father’s firm guidance and motivation. This turnaround is unfolding at Millbridge Speedway in Salisbury, North Carolina, where Owen competes alongside notable young drivers like Brexton Busch, the son of Kyle Busch. The impressive shift highlights the impact of Kyle Larson motivating son Owen through a blend of encouragement and strict expectations.
A Young Racer’s Journey from Doubt to Determination
Kyle Larson’s children, Owen and his seven-year-old sister Audrey, have both recently begun their own forays into racing under the watchful eye of their father. Owen, with more experience than his sister, had initially lost interest in the sport, favoring baseball instead. However, seeing talents like Brexton Busch thriving at Millbridge Speedway seemed to influence Owen to reconsider his racing future.
Kyle Larson has shared insights into Owen’s ups and downs during this comeback. While Owen had been eager to compete alongside his father, his focus waned after an early race that went poorly. Larson recounted how Owen stopped putting in the effort, which frustrated him deeply.
Frustration Leads to Firm Conversations
Kyle Larson and his wife, Katelyn, took a hard stance to revive Owen’s commitment. They delivered a straightforward message about the importance of effort not only in racing but in life as a whole. Kyle described how their conversation was stern and unyielding, emphasizing that lack of effort would mean no support or time spent at the track.
“That night, like the whole way home, we kind of belittled him a little bit,”
Kyle Larson said.
“We’re just hard on him. We were both equally just basically telling him, like, ‘Hey, this isn’t just about racing, but like anything in life takes effort and if you don’t start putting effort in, we’re not doing this, like you’re wasting our time. Like we don’t want to go out there and watch you run in the back. We don’t want to see you not try.”
– Kyle Larson, NASCAR driver and father
This tough love approach was designed to push Owen to find the motivation within himself to take racing seriously, not merely as a pastime but as a discipline demanding practice and persistence.
Visible Progress and Renewed Enthusiasm on the Track
Kyle Larson has expressed pride in Owen’s recent transformation. The young racer has been dedicating more time to activities that enhance his skills off the track, such as iRacing and reviewing racing footage, reflecting a new commitment to improvement. This renewed focus is showing in Owen’s performances at Millbridge, where he is now confidently making strategic moves like slide jobs during races.
“Dude, since then, like he’s been way better,”
Larson said.
“I’ve been proud of him because he’s been running on his iRacing more. He’s been doing all the things that I want him to do and then it’s translating to results. It’s really cool to see he’s like pulling slide jobs now at Millbridge and you can visibly see him trying.”
– Kyle Larson, NASCAR driver and father
Owen’s busy racing calendar mirrors the intensity of his father’s own schedule, combining full-time commitments on the NASCAR Cup circuit with sprint car and dirt track competitions.
Balancing Racing Ambitions and Family Commitments
Owen’s itinerary includes approximately 51 or 52 races this year, a number Kyle Larson considers balanced given that some events require double duty on the same day. This racing volume fits Owen’s growing interest and does not overshadow his other activities outside the car. Comparatively, Brexton Busch races more, while other young drivers may compete less frequently, illustrating varied levels of engagement among youth racers.
Katelyn Larson plays a crucial role in managing the family’s demanding schedule, often traveling with the kids to distant tracks, including several trips to Oklahoma. Kyle acknowledged the effort this requires from Katelyn and the family’s overall willingness to support Owen’s development carefully to avoid burnout.
“It’s a lot for Katelyn, probably more than the kids, her having to tote them around and they’ve been going to Oklahoma a lot to race this year. So, shout out to Katelyn. Yeah, shout out to Oklahoma for sure. But yeah, it’s a fine line. I mean, he’s only 10. Audrey’s seven. You can for sure burn kids out at any age. So, it’s a tight rope.”
– Kyle Larson, NASCAR driver and father
This delicate balance underscores the Larsons’ awareness of the pressures young racers face, both physically and mentally, as they navigate their own paths in the competitive world of motorsports.
The Broader Meaning of Owen’s Racing Revival
Owen Larson’s renewed enthusiasm is more than a personal victory — it stands as an example of the challenges and rewards experienced by young athletes under the guidance of professional parents. The combination of encouragement and strict expectations from Kyle and Katelyn reflects lessons applicable beyond racing, emphasizing perseverance and dedication.
As Owen continues to develop his skills and passion on the track, his journey highlights the potent influence of Kyle Larson motivating son Owen with candid honesty and unwavering support. This foundation may not only foster racing success but also prepare Owen for the demands of life ahead, both on and off the track.
