Kyle Larson has become the first Asian American to win the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors from NASCAR.
The Japanese American is also the first graduate of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity graduate to win the award.
Larson who is from Elk Grove, California has placed second four times his rookie season.
“We couldn’t be happier for Kyle and with the progress we have made in increasing minority and female on-track participation in the sport,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice president of public affairs and multicultural development.
Larson is one of the many new faces in NASCAR the sport is counting on to expand its audience beyond its traditional white audience.
