CONCORD, N.C. — Lavar Scott fell in love with racing when he was just 3 years old. That's when he saw his mother, Sonia, compete in a regional drag race in their home state of New Jersey.

Lavar Scott is 21 now, and he's in his second year racing in the ARCA Menards Series. Scott is behind the wheel of the No. 6 car for Rev Racing. He joined the team after being accepted into NASCAR's Driver Development Program. His dream is to make it to the NASCAR Cup Series, and that dream started years ago. 

What You Need To Know

  • Lavar Scott drives the No. 6 Max Siegel Inc. Chevrolet for Rev Racing

  • Scott grew up in Carneys Point, New Jersey

  • He's competed on the ARCA Menards Series for two years

  • His mother, Sonia, drove in drag races while Lavar Scott watched as a kid in New Jersey

Scott's first race came when he was only 5 years old, competing in quarter midget races. He remembers watching his mother compete before he got behind the wheel.

"My mom got to race, and I witnessed it, so she was one of the main reasons why this is all happening for sure," Scott said.

Racing is a family tradition.

Not only did Scott's mom race, but his older brother competed, and that's when his mother decided it was time to put the brakes on her career.

"His older brother was racing five quarter midgets, and Lavar was racing two quarter midgets. They required a lot of attention," Sonia Scott said.

That family tradition of racing was started by Lavar Scott's grandfather, who helped launch his kids' and grandkids' careers.

"My father drag raced, and he built me a car, and I have two younger sisters and a younger brother, and he built them a car also," Sonia Scott said.

Lavar Scott is making a name for himself on the ARCA series, winning the rookie of the year award last season and finishing second in points. He is currently in first place with over 10 races left on the schedule.

His family is making the laps with him on his journey on the biggest stages.

"My first-ever Daytona race in 2023, growing up I watched Daytona with my family. It's the biggest event in America for racing, so I remember my grandpop, who started this racing legacy for us, him being there and walking on pit row with me," Scott said.

Scott has four top 5 finishes this season, including the May 23 General Tire 150 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he finished third. The last race of the season is on Oct. 4 at the Toledo Speedway.