She'll drive just about anything with wheels. Mia Lovell found Legend Cars less than one year ago and learned the car quickly to place first in her division during the 2023-24 Silver State Road Course Series. She has found a bond with her dad, who is not one for stick and ball sports, but they have a love for automobiles. Mia hopes to one day make it to NASCAR's highest level, but her dream resembles anyone with the goal of racing - getting paid to do what they love!
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Number: 7
Division: Semi-Pro
Favorite Food: Lasagna
Favorite Vacation Spot: Utah
1. What was your introduction to auto racing?
My dad always club raced his whole life [and] would always do track days. I started driving a car when I was 14 years old. Then I got into my first pro series at the beginning of last year, the GR Cup. That went really great. I never really saw myself as a race car driver because I grew up as a sponsored skateboarder. That was a really exciting journey and then I found Legend Cars at the end of last year. It's been a great tool to help me with my driving and up my skills.
2. How did you find skateboarding?
My dad! My dad got me into everything. He was never really a stick and ball sports kind of guy, so we've always been into cars, skateboards, dirt bikes. I always just to it and I find it a lot of fun.
3. What is the coolest trick you can do on a skateboard?
My favorite trick to do is a kick flip front forward slide. Basially you flip your board onto a rail, then you slide backwards, then you have to land it.
4. What does being a sponsored skareboarder include?
It means that all the parts that I need for my skateboard...Everything I need to skate I've got it covered by my sponsors.
5. You are a car enthusiast, what is your dream car?
I was just talking about this with my dad earlier today. I want to get a 1973 Porsche Carrera one day. That's my goal. Honestly, it just looks good. No specific reason, [but] I know that was the year they came out with the RS version. A bit sportier and all that. My dad wasn't ever a Porsche guy. He was a big GM guy, so we had a bunch of Camaros and Corvettes. It's just kinda nice to have that as my thing and not something my dad guided me towards.
6. Do you consider yourself a daredevil or adrenaline junkie?
I would say like a daredevil for sure. Everything that I like to do gets me excited. If there is some sort of danger to it, there is some level of excitement and that is what we live for. It's addicting for sure.
7. If you could life anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Probably Montana. It's so nice to be out there in the mountains, pretend like you're a cowboy and just hang out on a ranch.
8. Which would you rather do, spend a week in a submarine or a day in outer space?
A day in outer space. I'd get so claustrophobic on a submarine. That sounds awful!
9. If you could be in any TV show or movie, which would you choose?
That one is touch. I would probably choose to be Ricky Bobby from Talladega Nights. Live the NASCAR dream.
10. Where was your first Legend Car race and how did you find the Legend Car?
My first Legend Car race was at [Las Vegas Motor Speedway] at the Silver State Road Course Series. I met Tanner Reif when he was training up her in Arizona where I live and he was telling me about these Legend Cars. Where I was at with my experience level I was looking for anything to jus get more seat time. I had no idea how much these Legend Cars would impact my leanring, growth, and skill because they're pretty hard to drive. No technology, so it really is like a go-kart with a roll cage. That has really helped me a lot, especially with learning race craft. It was pretty competitive up there at the front of the field. That really taught me how to race well.
11. What type of person are you when the helmet visor goes down?
I'm pretty calm. I know a lot of people when the helmet goes on they get the red mist, but I always like to think I keep a pretty cool head for the most part. Everyone has their moments but I really look up to drivers who use their heads, who are smart when they drive, use strategy, so that's what I try to emulate when I drive.
12. Is there anything on wheels that you won't try once?
I'm actually pretty scared of BMX. I never wanted to touch that. I know I saw them at the skateparks, but that always scare me for some reason. I like riding dirt bikes, but I definitely would not want to try all the freestyle tricks and stuff. That just seems crazy to me. I like to keep my wheels on the ground for the most part.
It's gnarly and that's why I've focused more on the car racing stuff, because I would just beat my body up so hard while I was skating. You go out in the streets and skate rails and stairs every weekend [and] your body just takes a beating, and having a roll cage is so much nicer. That's what drew me to Legend Cars. I dabbled into karting for a bit, but I was just lacking confidence knowing that there wasn't anything protecting me. So, it was really nice being in a Legend Car where it felt like a go-kart but I had a roll cage to protect me, but I would get all the same benefits and learn all the same things.
13. Long term, what are your auto racing goals?
My goal is to make it into the NASCAR Cup Series. But you know, honestly, if I'm getting paid to drive, I will drive anywhere! I just want to race. That's all what matters to me.