Jade Avedisian Makes CARS Tour History After Inheriting Win At New River
Jade Avedisian made CARS Tour history Saturday night when she inherited the Pro Late Model victory at New River All-American Speedway following a disqualification in post-race technical inspection. With the win, the 18-year-old California native becomes the first female driver to win a CARS Tour race in the tour’s 11-year history.
“It’s really cool. I want it to the the first of many hopefully,” Avedisian said. “Outside of that, all I care about is winning races. I just want to win races and do the best I can.”
Avedisian finished second on the race track before inheriting the win when apparent winner TJ DeCaire was disqualified for a left-side weight infraction after the race.
“Obviously I want to be the first to cross the finish line but a win is a win. I’ll take it. I’m very proud of everyone behind me. Everyone on this 24 car did a really great job over the past few days and it obviously shows.”
Following DeCaire’s disqualification, Tristan McKee secured runner-up honors after leading the majority of Saturday’s 100-lap race.
The win for Avedisian is her first of the year driving for the Wilson Motorsports team after beginning the season with three podium finishes and a fourth-place finish in the Pro Late Model point standings during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway.
Last year, following an impressive runner-up finish in the USAC BC39 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Avedisian announced that she would be focusing on pavement racing in the immediate future. She quickly picked up her first victory during a Carolina Pro Late Model Series race at Hickory Motor Speedway on November 9.
The CARS Tour Pro Late Models will next be in action on March 12 when they visit Cordele Motor Speedway in Cordele, GA.
