From Skateboards to Race Cars
Epic Kids reporter Nicholas Bubeck chats with pro skater turned race car driver Mia Lovell.
Mia Lovell’s journey from a pro skateboarder to a race car driver is super inspiring! She’s won tons of local skateboarding competitions and now zooms around the racetrack with the same awesome skills. Mia’s love for racing started when she was really young, and now she’s competing in the GR Cup Series with Toyota. Her big dream? To race in NASCAR! Here’s my interview with this Phoenix-based star.
WHAT GOT YOU INTO SKATEBOARDING?
I took lessons, learned tricks, competed, and got sponsored by Vans. I won all the local competitions.
HOW DID YOUR SKATING CAREER TRANSITION INTO A RACING CAREER?
When I was 13, my dad started bringing me to the local track. I was just having a good time until I heard about the GR Cup Series with Toyota, a spec series using GR86s that Toyota converts into race cars. I applied and got accepted.
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO RACE AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE?
It’s an extremely mental sport because when you’re in the car, there’s nothing there except for you, the car, and your mind. My parents are my backbone of support.
My goal is to be a professional race car driver with NASCAR. The next step is getting into the Trans Am Series – big boy race cars- a good transition from sports cars.
TELL ME ABOUT A RACE.
My dad always says nervousness is the same feeling as excitement.
At age 16, I showed up for my first race at Sonoma Raceway, thrown into things among drivers in their 20s and 30s. It’s an official pro series with professional drivers. It was intimidating but made me learn to sink or swim. I had to be safe, get through the race, learn, and have fun… all at the same time.
I have now competed in over 20 races all over the country! My scariest crash was probably my first; the fastest I’ve gone is 140 mph. So far, my best race was at Sonoma. I got highest finishing female and received a nice check!
BESIDES RACING, WHAT ELSE MAKES YOU HAPPY?
Riding dirt bikes and playing guitar and piano.
To learn more about Mia, visit mialovell.com.
