Feature Friday: Meet Our New Intern; Alyssa Johnson

Have you ever wondered with Legend and Bandolero racing was like to someone new? Meet our new intern, Alyssa! She got her first taste of the program at Charlotte Motor Speedway for our May 24th Old Glory 140! 


  • Tell a little about yourself

My name is Alyssa Johnson, and I am very excited to introduce myself as a part of U.S. Legends Cars International.  I will be serving Laila Razmyar as her communications intern throughout the summer.  I was born and raised in North Carolina, and I am a rising senior at Texas A&M University.  Even though I grew up a diehard football fan, I am excited to finally get to experience the realm of racing.

  • Did you have any experience or familiarity with racing?

Before that day, I did not have any first-hand experience.  I always grew up hearing about it, but I had never been able to witness it at the track.  There are several moments I can recall when others at school would have heated debates, but I never understood what they were discussing.  It was an unknown world to me, and now I have the chance to discover the various aspects that set it apart from other sports. 

  • What is it like to work for U.S. Legends Cars International?

From the shop to the track, I have been able to see that there is a family-like connection between teams and U.S. Legends Cars.  Even though I have not been here long, I have had the chance to meet some of the familiar faces, and I have enjoyed getting to know them.  When I am at the shop, I get to learn every day about racing and what to expect.  It is a great environment, and there are always hilarious moments around the corner.

  • Did anything inspire you at the race?

In addition to the dedication from the drivers and crews, I was amazed by the designs of the cars, and I found myself imagining what I would want a car to look like for me.  I know that I would have Texas A&M represented somewhere, and I definitely would want it to be sleek, fierce, and maroon!

  • Fun fact learned at the track

Even though I was not racing, I learned and experienced what the term rubbing meant firsthand.

  • What interested you the most about the race?

My first time to experience the racing world opened my eyes to its various aspects.  I was able to witness the ins and outs of the sport.  As an outsider looking in, I did not know what I was going to discover.  As the drivers and their crew prepared for the race, it was captivating and chaotic.  Seeing the varying dynamics of each team gave me an opportunity to understand the bonds that help drive this passion of racing forward.  Everywhere I looked I saw excitement and the familiar looks of concentration as the race was about to begin. 

  • What was the most rewarding part of the race?

It was wonderful to see all of the drivers have a great experience at the track.  Getting the chance to interact with the winners and seeing their excitement will hold great memories for me.  I could not help but smile watching the drivers having fun and being passionate while they were doing what they love.

  • If you could pick one aspect of the day that stood out to you, what would that be?

The bonds between the drivers and their crews really stood out to me.  Through my observations and interactions, I found that family is at the heart of each team.  I remember going to the top of the champions' pavilion where the crew members could observe the races.  I loved listening to one of the spotters talk to his driver and hearing the encouragement given to him before the race began.

  • What are you looking forward to regarding the 2019 Summer Shootout?

As I continue with U.S. Legends throughout the summer, I am excited to see what the Summer Shootout has in store as well as learning more about the world of racing.  I look forward to seeing the talented and dedicated drivers and crews have fun and compete.  As an outsider to the sport, I hope to learn more from the U.S. Legends staff and teams so that I can gain a better understanding of the ins and outs of racing.