A long-time staple for early morning news-watchers, Lily Jang was a pleasant face to wake up to every morning on Q13 Fox News.  An avid social media user, it soon became clear as we followed Lily on Twitter that she was quite the car enthusiast, so we figured that we’d pick her brain a bit about cars.  We were fortunate enough to catch up with her at Speedware Motorsports just before she moved back to her hometown of Houston to take over morning news anchor duties there.  She was great to work with and we’re sad that she’s no longer among us here in the Northwest.

Interview and Photos by Armin Ausejo – Video by James Dean – Hair and Styling by Tyler Onis Nixon

NWMotiv: How about you first tell us who you are and why people might recognize you?
Lily Jang: I was the morning news anchor at Q13Fox in Seattle from 6-10am every weekday. I have since been at CBS News in Houston since February.

NWM: Are you originally from the Pacific Northwest?
LJ: I’m Chinese but was born in Vietnam, raised in Houston, TX and been in Seattle for 11 years. I’d be confused too.

NWM: When did you first get interested in journalism and the news industry?
LJ: It was clear. 9th grade. Watched the news and thought to myself I wanted to be in the middle of breaking news and tell a story just like the man out there that night.

NWM: Where did you get your first “break” to get on the air, this applies to both radio & TV?
LJ: Amarillo, TX. I anchored the weekend newscast and reported during the week. I had never visited that town until I drove 12 hours from Austin, TX for an interview.

NWM: We heard you’re really into cars, how did this all start?
LJ: Car talk was all I heard growing up with and older brother and uncles! They took me to auto shows when I was a teen. You could point to the car and I could tell you the year, make and model.

NWM: What’s do you drive right now? Be honest.
LJ: An Audi R8 convertible. Ok, A girl can dream. I drive a BMW 3-series XI.

NWM: What car would be in your garage for everyday use?
LJ: Porsche Panamera Turbo (Since I need a 4 door for my mom and dad to get in and out easily)

NWM: What car would be in your garage for the weekend?
LJ: Audi R8 Spyder

NWM: If you could have any car regardless of the price tag, what would it be and why?
LJ: I’d have to say the Bugatti Veyron…. right?

NWM: If you had $30,000 to spend on modifications to you “weekend” car, what would you do to it?
LJ: Not much you can improve on the Audi R8 Spyder! I’d probably upgrade the wheels, install a premium sound system, put in a cold air intake, sports tailpipes and high flow exhaust to allow for maximum engine efficiency so I can up that horse power!

NWM: Do you have any favorite drives you like to do?
LJ: I love the drive through Leavenworth and also into Lake Chelan. Around here, when it’s sunny it is simply the most beautiful place on Earth. I enjoy drives through the back country in Snohomish County where there are pumpkin patches in the Fall. My favorite drive I never take for granted on any given Seattle summer day is simply the view from the Alaskan Way Viaduct. It is unbeatable with downtown Seattle on one side, the Puget sound and snow-capped Olympic Mountains are stunning.

NWM: If you could take your “dream car” for a spin in any country, when/where would you want to go?
LJ: C’mon. I’d have to say Autobahn, right?! ;)

NWM: If you had tickets to the biggest racing event of the year, which type of racing would it be?
LJ: I’d have to say Formula One. But NASCAR for the tailgating and the beer!

NWM: What do you miss about Seattle?
LJ:  I miss all of my friends, who really are my family here. Our weekly girls’ nights, wine nights, happy hours, dinner parties, ski trips and deep conversations about everything and nothing at the same time. They are my heart. I will miss my job, our wonderful viewers who I’ve been able to get to know on social media and my coworkers who have been my other family for 11 years. My next chapter? I was fortunate enough to be offered a job in Houston anchoring the morning news at KHOU, the CBS affiliate in the nation’s 4th largest city. I am so incredibly blessed and grateful. I couldn’t be more excited for my new adventure in my hometown.

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