Kaylee Rae Bryson (born March 11, 2001)[1] is an American racing driver. She competes full-time for Sam Pierce Racing in both the Trans-Am Series and USAC Silver Crown Series, driving the Nos. 02 and 26 Chevrolets respectively.[2] Bryson is best known for being the first female driver to advance to the A-Main feature race at the Chili Bowl Nationals, as well as the first woman to win a USAC National Series feature race.
Kaylee Bryson | |
---|---|
Nationality | American |
Born | March 11, 2001 |
Trans-Am Series (SGT Class) career | |
Debut season | 2023 |
Current team | Sam Pierce Racing |
Car number | 02 |
Engine | Chevrolet |
Starts | 8 |
Wins | 1 |
Best finish | 7th in 2023 |
Finished last season | 7th |
USAC Silver Crown Series career | |
Debut season | 2022 |
Current team | Sam Pierce Racing |
Car number | 26 |
Engine | Chevrolet |
Starts | 22 |
Wins | 1 |
Best finish | 5th in 2023 |
Finished last season | 5th |
Awards | |
2023 | Rookie of the Year |
Last updated on: August 10, 2024. |
Racing career
editUSAC
editBryson made her first attempt in the USAC National Midget Championship with Dave Mac Motorsports in 2019.[3] She then signed with Keith Kunz Motorsports (KKM) in 2020, driving with sponsorship from JBL and backing from Toyota Racing Development (TRD).[4] Bryson advanced to the main event in 22 of her 23 season starts, finishing 11th in the standings and leading Racer's Robin Miller to call her "the best shot at a woman dirt racer ever making it to the big time."[5]
In 2021, Bryson became the first female driver to qualify on pole at the Turkey Night Grand Prix, leading the first 17 laps and finishing fifth, the highest-ever finish for a woman in the event's history.[6] Bryson spent a total of three seasons with KKM, the best of which came in 2022, where she picked up additional sponsorship from Yahoo! for 18 races.[7] Bryson finished seventh in USAC National Midget points and was named the series' Most Improved Driver.[8] Bryson also made headlines at the 2022 Chili Bowl Nationals by winning her B-Main feature race, making her the first female driver to advance to the A-Main, where she finished 18th.[9]
Bryson made her USAC Silver Crown Series debut with Sam Pierce Racing (SPR) on June 18, 2022.[10] On December 8, 2022, she signed with SPR to compete full-time in Silver Crown in 2023.[11] Bryson's final start with KKM came at the 2023 Chili Bowl Nationals,[12] where she again advanced to the A-Main feature and finished 22nd,[13] after which she departed from the TRD program. Bryson later admitted that Toyota "didn't have enough to offer me and I really wanted to do something more with my career than midgets and late models...I thought going my own route would be better in the long run."[14] She ultimately finished fifth in the USAC Silver Crown standings for SPR, becoming the first female driver to earn Rookie of the Year honors in series history.[15]
In 2024, Bryson returned to the Chili Bowl with Sammy Swindell's team, Swindell-Bertrand Motorsports.[16][17] Her preliminary result forced her to start from an F-Main race, leaving her unable to advance farther than the E-Main.[18] Bryson then returned to Sam Pierce Racing for another full Silver Crown season.[2] On May 18, she won her first Silver Crown race at the Belleville High Banks from pole position, making her both the first woman to qualify on pole and win a USAC National Series feature race.[19]
Trans-Am
editBryson made her Trans-Am Series debut in the 2023 season-opening race at Sebring.[20] She began competing full-time in the series in 2024 with the goal of gaining road course experience before pursuing opportunities in IndyCar or NASCAR.[2] In her fourth career series start, Bryson won her first race on April 14 at NOLA Motorsports Park, leading every lap from pole position and winning with a 29-second margin of victory.[21]
References
edit- ^ "Kaylee Rae Bryson". Toyota Racing. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Kaylee Bryson to Compete for USAC and Trans Am Championships" (Press release). Sam Pierce Racing. December 8, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Seelman, Jacob (March 7, 2019). "Dave Mac Motorsports Adds Second Car for Bryson". Speed Sport. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Seelman, Jacob (January 30, 2020). "KKM adds Kaylee Bryson to Midget Roster". Speed Sport. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Robin (November 30, 2020). "Miller: Has dirt track racing found its next female star?". Racer. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Logan Seavey Completes Sweep Of All Three USAC Finales". FloSports. November 28, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Long, Dustin (April 6, 2022). "Yahoo, Toyota Racing Development announce multi-year agreement". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Sullivan, Pat (May 7, 2023). "Bryson: A New Direction". Speed Sport. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Barnes, Joey (January 17, 2022). "Bryson makes history at Chili Bowl". Racer. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Kaylee Bryson Will Make USAC Silver Crown Debut At Port Royal". FloSports. May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Staff Report (December 8, 2022). "Bryson to Take on Full USAC Silver Crown Schedule". Speed Sport. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Bryson Poised to Double Down on Chili Bowl Feature History". RacingAmerica.com. January 11, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Paul, Brandon (January 14, 2023). "Live From Tulsa: 2023 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Saturday Updates". FloSports. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Sullivan, Pat (May 7, 2023). "Bryson: A New Direction (Page 2)". Speed Sport. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Murray, Richie (October 20, 2023). "Bryson Is USAC Silver Crown Racing's Top Rookie". Speed Sport. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Staff Report (December 6, 2023). "Bryson Enters Chili Bowl with Swindell-Bertran". Speed Sport. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Weaver, Matt (January 3, 2024). "2024 is winning season for Kaylee Bryson". Sportsnaut. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Woelbing, Grace (January 13, 2024). "Despite Early Chili Bowl Exit, Bryson is Revved Up for Remaining Season". Speed Sport. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Paul, Brandon (May 18, 2024). "Kaylee Bryson Makes History As First Woman To Win USAC National Race". FloSports. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Kaylee Bryson to go Winged Sprint Car Racing Prior to Trans Am Debut". GoTransAm.com. January 31, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Kaylee Bryson Dominates in Career-First Trans Am Win at NOLA Motorsports Park". GoTransAm.com. April 14, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.