Racing fans love a redemption story, but for Lawless Alanthe road back to fame in NASCAR is anything but simple. The 24-year-old Californian’s 2024 campaign in NASCAR’s Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series has been fraught with disappointment, and yet he now finds himself with a new opportunity to rebuild his reputation in the ARCA Menards series.
However, this latest chapter in Alan’s career raises a burning question: Is his NASCAR journey a case of success through failureor is there any real hope of a turnaround?
A Chaotic Start in Xfinity: Filling Hailie Deegan’s Shoes
Alan’s move to the Xfinity Series in mid-2024 came under less than ideal circumstances. After a AM Racing’s tearing start, Hailie Deegan left a vacant seat in the No. 15 AUTOChargit Ford Mustang. Despite high expectations, Alan’s performance was not up to the challenge. His debut in Kansas ended in disaster, with a Mustang destroyed and a disappointing 35th placea result that has justified AM Racing’s confidence in him as Deegan’s replacement.
For Deegan, the setback was a bitter pill to swallow. The 23-year-old fan favorite struggled in her debut Xfinity season, failing to secure a top-10 finish in 17 races. However, her successor’s failure to surpass her could offer a sense of vindication as she charts a new path in Indy NXTwith the hope of making 2025 Indianapolis 500 debut.
A Forgettable Truck Season
Alan’s struggles weren’t limited to Xfinity. Its 2024 season in Truck Series was equally unremarkable. Over a full season, Alan only managed one single top five and one top ten at Talladega Superspeedway. Most of his results have been outside the top 20, with only flashes of competitiveness, including an 11th place finish at Texas and a 12th place finish at Darlington.
The inconsistency led to murmurings about his future in the upper levels of NASCAR. Although his time in Xfinity failed to impress, his results in the Truck Series stoked doubts, leaving many to wonder if Alan’s racing career had reached a ceiling.
The ARCA Reset: A Second Chance or a Setback?
Alan’s final opportunity comes in the form of a race with Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA Menards series 2025. Venturini announced that Alan will pilot their No. 20 AUTOparkit Toyota Camry, starting with the season opener at Daytona.
The move to ARCA—an developmental series often seen as a step below Trucks and Xfinity—may seem like a downgrade. But for Alan, it’s also a chance to regroup, rebuild and prove that he still deserves his place in the competitive ranks of NASCAR. Venturini Motorsports is no stranger to promoting talent, and a strong season could serve as a springboard back into the NASCAR spotlight.
Is Alan failing to rise, or is redemption within reach?
Critics might argue that Alan’s trajectory is more like “a failure upwards” than a real journey. His performances in Xfinity and the Truck Series left something to be desired, and his move to ARCA could be seen as a last resort to stay relevant in the sport.
However, the ARCA Menards Series has long been a breeding ground for drivers looking to revive their careers. If Alan can find consistency and success with Venturini’s equipment, it could open doors for a return to the upper echelons of NASCAR. It’s a gamble, but stranger comebacks have happened in the world of motorsport.
Meanwhile, Deegan’s new path offers a stark contrast
As Alan navigates his ARCA reset, Hailie Deegan continues his own redemption arc away from the ovals of NASCAR. His time at Indy NXT and his ambitions to tackle the Indianapolis 500 signal a new beginning for the former Xfinity driver. To Deegan, Alan’s disappointing journey in Xfinity might seem like a form of poetic justice, a reminder that his struggles weren’t entirely unique.
The Last Tour: A career on the brink of the abyss
For Lawless Alan, 2025 represents a crossroads. Success in ARCA could validate his racing potential and give him a lifeline to return to the NASCAR ecosystem. Failure, on the other hand, could mean the end of his dreams at the national level. As the season opener at Daytona approaches, the pressure is on for Alan to prove he is more than just a backup in the history books.
