Throughout Ryan Lawler’s young career, he has lived by the motto that “bigger is better.” That’s only fitting considering that he is a native of Colleyville, Texas. At only 20 years of age, Ryan has accomplished much in his young career. In 1999, he was the Texas state champion in the INEX Bandelero division. He followed that up with three more state championships in INEX Semi-Pro and Pro Legends classes. Lawler’s name quickly came to prominence when he finished second to Mike Rowe for the Inaugural PASS South Super Late Model championship in 2006. In 2007, with two wins, Ryan won the PASS South championship and emerged as one of stock car racing’s drivers of the future. In addition to his PASS South championship in 2007, Lawler won one of the nation’s most prestigious short track events taking the checkered flag in the legendary Winchester 400.
“Winchester was definitely the biggest win of my career,” said Lawler. “It was funny at Lakeland [where he finished second] how much notice we got in the garage area thanks to the Winchester win and the PASS South championship.”
Like so much of his career thus far, Ryan hopes that bigger will once again mean better. He will join veteran driver and crew chief Bobby Dotter in at least seven NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driving the #07 Truck in 2008.
“As always we would like to win as many races as possible, but this year I think I definitely need to learn more about saving equipment and staying out of trouble in the longer Truck Series races,” said Lawler.
With an increased emphasis on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Ryan’s time in the PASS South Super Late Model could be limited. Lawler and his car owner Robert Hamke have sold all of last year’s Super Late Models but one. You can rest assured, though, that Lawler and the entire #31 team will be at Hickory for the 3rd Annual Easter Bunny 150 looking for their third win in five starts at “the birthplace of the NASCAR stars.”
“No doubt we would’ve had three-in-a-row at Hickory had we not had alternator problems last fall,” said Lawler. “We’re going back for the Easter Bunny to see if we can get a good start in the PASS Champions Series.”
Although Ryan might not be at all the races as he has been over the first two seasons of the PASS South Super Late Models, he hopes to be at the four races that make up the PASS Champions Series. The Champions Series starts at Hickory on March 22nd, followed by $10,000 to win shows at Orange County on July 19th and Beech Ridge on September 21st. The National Champion will be crowned at the final Champions Series race at Greenville-Pickens on October 18th. Lawler thinks these races, along with a $30,000 to win show at Wiscasset on August 17th and another $10,000 to win race at South Boston on October 25th, will only help the PASS Series continue to prosper.
"With the increased schedule and with Champions Series starting this year, plus all the big races in the North and South, I think you will continue to see more racers come on board to race with PASS,” said Lawler.
As things continue to change in stock car racing, they also continue to remain the same. And although Ryan Lawler will trade the familiar seat of his PASS South Super Late Model for the pressure cooker of a NASCAR Craftsman Truck, don’t be surprised to see him flash his winning smile once again in 2008.
For information on the PASS South Super Late Models please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039. You can also find more information at racewithpass.com or proallstarsseries.com. For technical information contact Scott Reed at 207-625-3230.
