driven by edwards - where it all started
Read time: 3-4 minutes
I’ve known racing my whole life. I grew up going to the race track every single weekend with my family. At the time, my dad and my oldest sister Ryan were the only ones racing. Me and my older sister Erin would be in the pits playing with our dolls, riding our bikes, and hanging out with our friends while the races were going on. The track was basically my second home.
When I was three years old, I started racing Big Wheels.
My first year in Big Wheels wasn’t exactly dominant — I was actually the slowest in the class. But that didn’t matter. I got to race alongside my sister and some of the same friends I still race with today in the Jr. Dragster class. Big Wheels taught me the basics of the sport. It taught me how to cut a light, how to handle losing, and of course… how to beat the boys every once in a while.
After I aged out of Big Wheels, I knew exactly what I wanted next — a Jr. Dragster.
When I first told my dad, he said “no way.” To this day, he still claims he doesn’t like juniors. I’m not sure I believe him. I think deep down he has fun with it.
To prove I was serious, I did whatever I could to be involved. I helped my friends push their cars through the staging lanes, put fuel in the cars, clean tires, and just be around the class. Even when I wasn’t driving, I was learning. I just wanted to be part of it.
When my dad finally caved and bought a junior, it was one of the best days of my life. When we brought it home, I couldn’t wait to get it running and head to the track. With help from some of our friends, we had it ready in no time. While my car was still being finished, I was lucky enough to have a friend loan me a car so I could get my license — and then I raced the very next day.
My first race in my own car is something I’ll never forget. The morning of that race was nerve-racking. I felt like I had something to prove — not just to everyone else, but to myself. I took it one round at a time, stayed patient, and learned from every pass.
I ended up making it all the way to the finals… and lost.
But honestly, a runner-up finish in your first race in your own car isn’t too bad. That day taught me something important — I really don’t like losing… and I love winning even more.
And that was just the beginning.