After a standout career on dirt, Jade Avedisian is now focused on mastering the nuances of the ARCA Menards Series. (Photo: TOYOTA RACING)
Jade Avedisian is learning what it means to slow down in order to go faster.
That might sound counterintuitive for a driver whose roots are planted in the high-intensity world of dirt racing, where reflexes are sharp and decisions come in fractions of a second. But in her transition to stock cars, Avedisian is discovering a different rhythm, one that demands patience, precision and a recalibration of instincts as she competes in multiple ARCA Menards Series races.
“Right now, that’s probably my biggest struggle,” Avedisian said. “The car just feels so heavy. It’s like driving a boat. It takes longer to react, and everything happens slower compared to what I’m used to.”
For a driver who built her reputation sliding lightweight dirt cars through corners with controlled aggression, the adjustment has been both humbling and motivating. The sensations are different. The timing is different. Even the way speed is processed behind the wheel has changed.
Jade Avedisian is learning to recalibrate her instincts for the heavier, slower-reacting stock cars. (Photo: TOYOTA RACING)
Yet, if there is one constant in Avedisian’s journey, it is her willingness to embrace the challenge.
The transition from dirt to pavement is not new in motorsports. Many of NASCAR‘s top talents have followed a similar path, using dirt racing as a foundation for car control and race craft. For Avedisian, that background remains one of her greatest assets.
“I think having a dirt background is a huge help,” she said. “Everything happens so fast there. You have to think quickly and react quickly, especially in shorter races. Going back to dirt helps me keep that intensity.”
That intensity, she believes, translates in key moments on pavement. Whether it is a late-race restart or a battle for position, the instincts developed on dirt can provide an edge when it matters most.
At the same time, Avedisian is realistic about the learning curve ahead.
Now competing with Nitro Motorsports, she finds herself surrounded by a team environment that is accelerating her development. For a driver still gaining experience on pavement, that support system has proven invaluable.
“It’s been a big help,” Avedisian said. “I don’t have a lot of experience on pavement yet, so having a group of people who can guide me and help me through the tough days means a lot. We’re all working together to get better.”
That collaborative dynamic extends to her teammates, including fellow rising talent Isabella Robusto. While competition naturally exists within any team, Avedisian embraces the balance between pushing each other and improving collectively.
“Everyone wants to be the lead car,” she said. “Even if people don’t say it, it’s true. But having teammates pushes all of us to be better, and in the end, it makes the whole group stronger.”
Jade Avedisian credits the collaborative environment at Nitro Motorsports for accelerating her development on pavement. (Photo: TOYOTA RACING)
Beyond her immediate team, Avedisian also benefits from the backing of Toyota Racing, a partnership she does not take for granted.
“It’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” she said. “If they didn’t take a chance on me, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m just really grateful to be part of that.”
Gratitude, however, does not replace ambition.
Avedisian approaches each race weekend with a clear focus on execution. While winning remains the ultimate goal, she understands the importance of maximizing results with the equipment she has on a given day.
“If I have a fourth-place car, I want to try to run third with it,” she said. “You have to adjust your mindset a little bit, but at the end of the day, I still want to win.”
Jade Avedisian is maximizing her seat time across multiple pavement disciplines. (Photo: TOYOTA RACING)
That balance between realism and competitiveness is part of what makes her one of the most intriguing prospects in the sport. She is not defined by labels or expectations, but by a steady commitment to growth.
As she continues her transition, new challenges await. Tracks like Kansas Speedway, a mile-and-a-half oval she has yet to race on, will introduce variables such as aerodynamic effects and traffic management at higher speeds.
“I’ve never been to a mile-and-a-half before,” Avedisian said. “Kansas will be my first one, so that’s going to be a big learning experience. I’ll be leaning on my coaches a lot to get up to speed.”
Even with those unknowns, her excitement is evident. Kansas is just one of several tracks she has circled on her schedule, along with Pocono Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway, each offering its own unique test.
“I’m honestly excited for all of them,” she said. “Every track is something new for me, and that’s what makes it fun.”
The sharp reflexes developed in the dirt midget ranks remain a core part of Jade Avedisian’s driving identity as she tackles new tracks like Kansas. (Photo: TOYOTA RACING)
That sense of enjoyment remains central to her approach, even as the stakes continue to rise.
From her earliest days in racing, Avedisian dreamed of competing on pavement, but she never imagined how quickly those aspirations would become reality.
“If you told me a few years ago I’d be here, I probably wouldn’t have believed you,” she said. “It’s just kind of cool to see everything come together.”
For Avedisian, timing has played a significant role in that journey. Opportunities have aligned, and she has been ready to capitalize on them. Now, the focus shifts to making the most of each step forward.
There are lessons to be learned, from understanding aerodynamic behavior to adapting to longer race formats. There are also moments of self-discovery, like realizing that the best laps do not always feel perfect.
Whether on dirt or asphalt, Jade Avedisian’s focus remains squarely on execution and long-term growth as she confers with Thomas Annunziata. (Photo: TOYOTA RACING)
“Sometimes when I qualify well, it doesn’t even feel that good,” she said. “You come off the track thinking you’re further back, and then you find out you’re near the front.”
Those nuances are part of the ongoing education that defines any driver’s progression. For Avedisian, they are reminders that success is not always about comfort, but about execution.
As her career continues to evolve, one thing remains clear. She is not content to simply participate in this next chapter. She is here to compete.
And while the stock car may feel like a boat for now, it is only a matter of time before she learns how to navigate it with the same confidence and precision that defined her rise on dirt.
Until then, Avedisian is embracing every lap, every lesson and every opportunity to improve.
After all, in racing as in life, growth often comes from the willingness to step outside of what feels natural and into what comes next.
Editor’s Notes
A special thank you to Jade Avedisian for her time and thoughtful insights during this interview. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Cody Poor of Golin for TOYOTA RACING for his assistance in coordinating this feature and providing the photography for The Podium Finish.
You can watch the full “In the Hot Seat” interview with Jade on YouTube at the link below!
