SCCA Pro Racing

Daytona, Fla. (6 November 2019)- In a highly competitive Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli class that was stacked with former IndyCar winners, NASCAR legends and IMSA competitors, rookie Lawless Alan has experienced a breakthrough season in TA2 powered by AEM. Nearly 70 competitors have taken the green in TA2 so far this season and Alan sits fifth overall in the championship entering the season finale. The Mike Cope Race Cars driver clinched the Rookie of the Year title one round early after finishing fourth in the TA2 100-mile race at Circuit of The Americas in October. Find out how Alan balances school and racing, why sportscar racing is his dream and what turn had him shaking in his racing boots in this edition of Trans Am Corner.

TA- How does it feel to be the 2019 TA2 Rookie of the Year?

Lawless- It feels really good. Our goal at the beginning of the season was to become proficient at road course racing to give me a leg up on my competition in NASCAR when we go to the road courses. Winning Rookie of the Year in such a competitive series is something that quite honestly I thought might be a possibility if everything went right and we worked hard, but not something that I wanted to think too much about because its such a hard thing to achieve. But now actually winning it, is extremely satisfying for both myself and my team that worked so hard to accomplish it and to take home that trophy for  AUTOParkit and Siemens just feels really, really good.

TA- We understand you are also a full-time college student. What school are you attending and how do you make it all work?

Lawless- I am attending the University of Alabama. I started going to classes on campus but because my racing has taken off like it has I’m now in Alabama's online business program. Their online program makes it easier but it ’is definitely hard to race as much as I do and be a full-time student–but I’m not one to back away from a challenge. 

TA- You're one of the youngest guys in the TA2 field. How did you get your start in racing (and what age were you)? 

Lawless- I started racing when I was 13 in Legend cars. It’s all due to my dad,I would go to track days with him but because of my age I couldn't drive. One day he found a Legend car for me to try and the rest is history.

TA- Why did you choose sportscars as your path?

Lawless- Sportscar racing is some of the most iconic racing in the world and I would love to race them one day, but I have my heart set on NASCAR and don’t see myself leaving that series anytime soon. Next year I’ll be doing NASCAR’s ARCA West and a few of the main ARCA Menards series as well as TA2. So I’ll be running short track, road racing, and super speedways for the first time. 

 TA- Being a NASCAR driver, how did you find the competition in TA2?

Lawless- World class. You have drivers that have competed in Indy car and IMSA and the different European series, previous Trans Am champions, some of the best road course drivers in the world. So to come in and be challenged with new tracks from week to week and then to also be running up front with this level of talent is just really fantastic.

TA- How has Trans Am helped develop your road racing skills 

Lawless- Trans Am has helped develop my road racing skills immensely. The reason I started in this series was to allow me to thrive on the road courses in NASCAR  and more specifically my debut race in the NASCAR K&N West at Sonoma. I had a very solid run in that race so Trans Am definitely helped a lot to develop my road course driving.

TA- Where does road course racing rank with you compared to ovals? 

Lawless- I love them both. Road course racing is so driver dependent for results and I love that. But at the same time, growing up running ovals most of my career I’d have to say NASCAR still has the edge for me.

TA- What is your favorite Turn or race track and why?

Lawless- I love the Climbing Esses at VIR because that is the only section of a track I have ever been on where each time I went through it (and made it) I thought to myself “man that was so fast!”. 

I can’t decide on a favorite track but it would be either VIR and Laguna Seca because they suit my driving style.

TA- What are your plans for 2020 and will you be returning to Trans Am?

Lawless- Definitely going to be running TA2 in my AUTOParkit Mustang when my schedule permits. I’ll be full time in the NASCAR K&N West series and I know we’ll be running at least a handful of Late Model races in California as well when I have a weekend available. 

TA- Now that we know your plans for next year, what is your long-term goal in racing?

Lawless- My long-term goal in racing is to race in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series. I have grown up with NASCAR and luckily with the partnership I have with AutoParkIt I have a chance to make those dreams a reality.