The families of race car drivers often find it difficult to stay away from the race tracks themselves—sometimes to support their loved ones and other times to try racing for themselves. When multiple members of the family are involved in the sport, the excitement can be contagious. Katelyn Sweet, sister to Brad Sweet and wife of Kyle Larson, both dirt racers, is no exception. Her son, Owen Miyata, has even secured his first win in the Junior Sprint race at Coles County, and her daughter, Audrey Layne, is eager to follow in their footsteps once she’s old enough.
Inspired by the racers in her family, Katelyn decided to give dirt racing a shot at Charlotte Motor Speedway. However, her debut didn’t last long, as she crashed by the third lap. Reflecting on the experience, she joked, “I’ve got bruises all over my body.” Now, the question arises: Is Katelyn cut out to be a racer?
Katelyn Larson’s Athletic Background
Before marrying Kyle Larson, Katelyn was already an athlete, having competed as a professional runner and equestrian. Though she left sports to focus on her beauty business, her competitive nature hasn’t faded. In an interview with Kenny Wallace, she admitted, “I’m just too competitive to run at the back, so I tried to make some passes that weren’t great.”
Her competitiveness led to her crash during the dirt racing stint, but it seems Katelyn might need some lessons from her husband before pursuing a racing career. When asked about her dirt racing experience, she candidly replied, “Absolutely. Well, not really—I tried it that weekend, and it didn’t go well… but I’m definitely a fan.”
Even though Katelyn appreciates the sport, she doesn’t hesitate to tease Kyle about his driving—off the track, at least. She once called him the “worst” driver on regular roads, explaining how he managed to scrape the curb three times within two weeks of getting a new car.
This just shows that even professional drivers make everyday mistakes like the rest of us. For those curious about the personal lives of race car drivers, the reality show ‘Dirt’ offers a glimpse into the lives of drivers and their families, both on and off the track. Katelyn expressed her interest in the show, saying, “I think the most compelling part is getting a look at our lives away from the track.”
While Katelyn’s fame is partly due to her marriage to Kyle Larson, her primary role remains that of a devoted mother.
Katelyn’s Advocacy for Her Daughter
Katelyn and Kyle’s daughter, Audrey, began showing signs of alopecia at just 18 months old. In response, the couple has worked to raise awareness about the autoimmune condition to shield her from judgment. Kyle even launched a line of merchandise to raise funds for organizations supporting alopecia patients.
Despite her condition, Audrey shares the same competitive spirit as her brother, Owen. Katelyn even remarked, “She’s probably the most competitive of the two… I think she’ll be the race car driver if I had to choose.”
It’ll be thrilling to see Audrey potentially race alongside her brother in the future. Until then, we’ll keep an eye on Owen’s progress and see if he’s as passionate about racing as his dad.
