For this issue’s column, I decided to do another chat with a driver and get their favorite fan interaction. Elaine Larsen along with her husband, Chris, founded Larsen Motorsports in 2006. Larsen Motorsports (LMS) has grown to become one of the most sought exhibition teams. Winning two world championships with the IHRA Nitro Jam series, LMS owns six elite jet racing teams that are crowd favorites, including the two-time world championship car driven by Elaine.
Editor’s Note: This column originally appeared in DI #199, the Interview Issue, in March/April 2026.
Headquartered in Palm Bay, Florida, LMS campaigns the Florida Tech and House of Kolor jet dragsters at over two dozen events per year. LMS prides themselves in safety and innovation and is on the cutting edge of new technology. The group also works hand-in-hand with the Aerospace Technology Group helping provide the next generation with valuable hands-on skills needed to provide them with the experience, dedication, and determination to gain access to their dream jobs.
Elaine told me this story, which is exactly what we highlight in this column.
“I was in Gainesville in 2017 at an NHRA event and Tony Schumacher told me he had someone he wanted me to meet,” Elaine begins. “Tony himself was a former driver of a jet car and we are good friends. He proceeded to introduce me to Josette Roach, who wanted to know how to have a career in drag racing.
“We talked for a while and I told her to come to our shop. It took her two times scheduling and canceling, but she showed up. Josette was in school and headed to a career being a doctor, a profession that she thought would pay her well enough to be able to race. When she walked through the doors of our shop, she found a new place to call home and the career she wanted.
“The first time Josette got behind the wheel, she definitely needed some time to realize she was going to fulfill her dream, and she tried so hard to do everything perfectly that she had a hard time, but eventually she got out of her head and everything came together. She has been with LMS since 2017, and I consider her my right hand.
“We do a lot of driver development for future drivers and we host students from Florida Tech. We have hosted over 100,000 students and it’s her turn to train the next LMS jet car driver. We recently picked an 18-year-old girl named Sarah. Josette has the task of training her and teaching her all she needs to know.
“I never could have known in 2017 when Tony brought Josette to meet me what an asset to my company and life she would become,” Elaine concludes.
To learn more about Elaine, Josette, and LMS, go to LMSJets.com. We are always looking for fans who want to become more because we understand how important the fans are to our sport.
This story was originally published on May 21, 2026. 
