Having achieved 21 top five finishes and clinched three victorie this year, LaQuan McCoy has undoubtedly experienced a memorable and remarkable 2023 season, with no intentions of slowing down as he continues his racing career. LaQuan's recipe for success includes driving fast, an unwavering determination, and pre-race snack of jelly beans.
Hometown: Fort Mill, SC
Division: Bandits
Number: 26
Team: LQ Motorsports/JW Motorsports
Dream street car: Blue C7 Corvette
Who is your favorite NFL team?
The Kansas City Chiefs
Do you have any activities or hobbies that you do outside of racing?
I like to play basketball and play some games with my friends.
How did you get into racing?
My dad contacted Bubba Wallace's dad and Bubba’s dad [connected] us with Josh Williams. Josh put me in a car, we started testing, and then we started racing. Now here we are and I've had a bunch of good people around me to get me where I am today.
What's is it like sharing the racing passion with your dad?
It's great because it's a lot of bonding time. We talk about cars a lot and it's just great having someone to talk about cars with.
What is one thing racing has taught you in your everyday life?
It's taught me a lot of respect because sometimes on the race track I get a little mad at people, and they get mad at me, but we feel each other some respects so I felt like I learned a lot of that.
What is your best memory you've had so far at a race?
I remember I was in a race one time and we had a car on my outside and I was battling him in the race and then the guy behind me dives down into the corner into three-wide going into the corner. That was one of the most fun races I've ever had because everybody was battling.
What track would you like to race at one day?
I'd say the big track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
If you pulled into victory lane right now, who would you thank?
Everybody on my team like Zach, Josh, John, and everybody else around me. They teach me in their own way and they are really helpful in my development.
If you could give advice to any new driver starting off, what would you tell them?
Don't give up because when you're first starting to race you're probably not gonna do so good, but you'll start getting better and better. So just don't give up.
What is your ultimate racing dream?
My ultimate goal would be to get to the NASCAR Cup Series and trying to help as many people as I can getting there.
Is there someone or a driver in NASCAR that you'd look up to that inspires you?
I say it would be Bubba Wallace, because he kind of came up through the same diversity as me. I really look up them.
Do you have any pre-race rituals?
Trying to eat some candy before the race, like a handful of jelly beans.
What do you want to accomplish outside of racing?
I want to accomplish going to Harvard and getting a better education.
What do you find most enjoyable about racing?
Going fast and making a lot of relationships with other people because I've met a lot of people racing.
What is the best piece of advice that someone has ever given you?
I remember my friend one time after I had a bad race at the Summer Shootout, he asked me if I tried my best and I said yeah. And he said, that's all you can do. You'll keep getting better and better throughout the way.