WINSTON SALEM, NC :: Following many successful race seasons, Chris Lawson parts ways with Bassett Racing and Ronnie Bassett Jr. Lawson first teamed up with Bassett at Fat Head Racing in April 2011, kicking off a great partnership and marking Lawson’s first responsibilities as a crew chief after participating in the late model ranks behind the wheel for many seasons.
In July 2011 Ronnie Bassett Jr. scored his first career late model stock car victory from the pole in the UARA-STARS event at Tri County Motor Speedway, recording the first of many victories for the duo. By season’s end, Bassett collected another UARA win at Anderson and the prestigious Dwight Huffman Memorial victory, earning his first NASCAR sanctioned late model win.
Chris Lawson departed FHR with Ronnie Bassett Jr. following the 2011 season to head up the newly organized Bassett Racing team, which would field cars for brothers Ronnie and Dillon. Lawson and Bassett collected nine victories in their 17 events during the 2012 season, earning four UARA-STARS wins and five consecutive NWAAS wins.
2013 saw another winning season and Bassett visited the UARA-STARS winners’ circle four times, once at Southern National and Hickory, and sweeping both events at Anderson. Bassett also claimed the checkered flag in the Thanksgiving All Star Classic at Southern National with Seth Smith as interim crew chief while Lawson had prior Thanksgiving obligations.
Ronnie Bassett Jr. and Chris Lawson made their respective debuts into the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East tour last season in anticipation of running the full 2014 schedule, recording a top ten finish in their second event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Despite a successful season, the nearly three year relationship ran its course and Chris Lawson exits Bassett Racing to pursue new ventures, a decision he holds no hard feelings toward. “It really was a tough decision. I have enjoyed working with Ronnie over the years. We had a great connection, and built a lot of memories. He is extremely talented and I wish him, Dillon and everyone at BR nothing but the best,” Lawson commented.
On why he decided to leave Bassett Racing, Lawson said, “I really didn’t feel the K&N deal was the right fit for myself. My heart just wasn’t in the program, and I feel Ronnie deserves someone 100% committed.” He continued, “With the season quickly approaching, the timing wasn’t ideal, but I felt I needed to make the difficult decision now rather than months down the road.”
Since moving to North Carolina following his high school graduation, Chris Lawson’s motorsports involvement has been thorough. “I’ve done a number of things in racing – I’ve worked for Cup teams, driven Nationwide cars, built and raced my own late models. But when I made the move to crew chief Ronnie’s late model it was one of the best things I’ve done,” Lawson said. “I really began to enjoy racing again; I liked being back in the short track vibe. I’ve had too many opportunities that I haven’t enjoyed, and that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned these last few seasons.”
As for Ronnie Bassett Jr.’s 2014 plans, the Bassett Racing team is still full steam ahead prepping their new Hopkins chassis for the first NASCAR K&N event on February 16th at New Smyrna Speedway. Seth Smith is slated to crew chief the first two events during Speedweeks, New Smyrna and Daytona, until the team finds a full time K&N crew chief.
