Lawrences prove auto racing has a family side, too

Probably not many people would think of their family when they hear the word "NASCAR." Yet that is what Willard and Michelle Lawrence of Lawrence Racing are all about.

"It's not like the stereotype you see on TV," said Willard, who races a Chevy Impala at Manassas Old Dominion Speedway, a NASCAR-sanctioned track.

Willard says on networks like Fox, the camera focuses where it wants to, but leaves out the rest.

Willard said Boy Scouts attend the events, where there have been pony rides and moon bounces for the kids. Audience members often distribute glowing bracelets and toys.

But on a more personal level, Willard and Michelle participate as a family.

Michelle acts as primary spotter for her husband, speaking to him through a headset as he races. Spotting includes reporting what the car looks like from the stands. For example, Michelle might keep a lookout for loose tires or smoke and tell Willard. Other times, she just asks Willard how he is feeling.

A couple of weekends ago, Michelle said her husband gave her a scare. Something went wrong on the track, and Willard called into the radio, "We're hurt!"

"I'm over there having a coronary," she said, "and he meant the car was hurt!" But in spite of the danger, she and her family love what Willard does.

Michelle's father starts the cars, racing two laps around the track prior to the race. Wearing blue Lawrence Racing T-shirts, cousins, friends, brothers, sisters and even the children's former teachers have come out to watch and root for Willard. One year, Willard's 86 year-old grandmother came from Germany and cheered from her wheelchair.

But the Lawrences also race for causes.

The Lawrences' twin 7-year-olds, Will and Allison, were born premature and spent 10 weeks and one day at the Fairfax Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Grateful for the exceptional care their children received, the Lawrences began donating to NICU.

"We just wanted to give back to the people who cared for our children," Willard said. Besides donating about $20,000 over the past five years, the Lawrences have given items such as cameras, scrapbooking materials and cradle swings.

This year, the Lawrence team helped raise $1,100 for the American Cancer Society. Drivers walked through the stands and collected money in their helmets.

"Considering the economy, the fans were awesome," Michelle said.

The couple met at the track when both were working with teams to repair cars. Michelle said she saw Willard and told her friend, "This is the man I'm going to marry."

They did marry, and both continue to enjoy the excitement of racing while nurturing Willard's talents.

"I've always enjoyed fixing things," said Willard, who maintains the fleets for Cox Cable.

He recalled that as a child, he took apart his bike, and his father said he would have to put it back together. Willard did it. At 14, Willard took apart and put back together his first engine.

Thirteen years ago, Willard worked as a crew chief, paving his way to racing his own cars.

Willard has won Most Popular Driver in three divisions, Rookie of the Year in three divisions and has been a two-division champion at Manassas.

His wife and family are proud and invested in more ways than one. A backup Chevy Impala sits in their garage at their home. The children's handprints are pressed in paint on the car. NASCAR flags decorate the interior of the garage. And every Saturday, family and friends show up for more excitement.

"It's a very emotional sport," Michelle said. "And it's very easy to get hooked."

To find out more about Lawrence Racing, www.lawrenceracing.com.