Las Vegas, Nev. – Lawless Alan makes an impressive ARCA Menards West debut driving his No.12 Bill McAnally Racing (BMR), AUTOParkit, Siemens, Toyota Camry.
Alan got off to a difficult start as the new driver and crew struggled to find a motor misfire that slowed his progress during practice and qualifying. Alan said, “the crew worked hard to get the new car set up while fighting the misfire. They changed the electronics and then the carb just before qualifying. Because of the misfire we didn’t get any good consistent practice laps. We qualified 10th, but it could have been a lot worse.”
With a car that had finally come good and at the green Alan started his move through the pack. “I got a good start and we were immediately able to make progress through the field.”
As the laps rolled past it became clear Alan could be challenging for a top five and perhaps a podium in his first race of 2020. “The car was really good,” Alan said. Despite continually having to restart on the outside after cautions, with 50 laps to go Alan was in fourth and catching third. “The car was quick and I was chasing down my teammate for third, but we were pretty even. I’d catch her and she’d pull me just enough to stay in front of me, I’d catch her again and we’d catch a lapper.”
The restarts had proven that the inside lane had a distinct advantage, running in fourth when the final caution flag flew Alan knew it was going to be tough. “I kept having to restart on the outside and I knew on the last restart it was going to be really tough. The cars in fifth and sixth were really quick and when the green flag came out there was no room for me to get down to the inside lane.”
Alan would finish sixth in a very hard driven race. “I have to thank my crew for not giving up, they did a great job. I also have to thank my Sponsors AUTOParkit, and Siemens, I could not be prouder of my team. I have to especially thank Bill McAnally and Toyota for this opportunity.”
Team Owner Bill McAnally said, “Lawless did a great job tonight. You could see how smooth he was by how he was on the brakes. Everyone’s rotors were lit up except on the 12. I’m looking forward to what Lawless can do this season, he’s got a lot of talent. I think if they had not had their issues during practice he’d been right there.”
