B737-900
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
Downwind to base leg we encountered wake turbulence from an Aircraft Y; their position previously called by ATC. ATC traffic issued a traffic advisory; separate from the Aircraft Y that we were following. Due to our heading into the rising sun; we could not make eye contact with the second aircraft. ATC issued a clearance to descend to 3000 feet while we were presently leaving (approx) 7500 feet. ATC then queried if we had the airport in sight. F/O (First Officer) confirmed that it was. I began slowing the aircraft in anticipation of an approach clearance from ATC. We were issued a clearance to turn southbound (base leg). The landing gear was lowered; and flaps began to be positioned on flap speed schedule. I did not recall if we had in fact been given a clearance to proceed via a visual approach to Runway 24R. At this point; we queried ATC for that approach clearance. We were then issued a clearance for a visual approach to Runway 24R. I did not realize that I had overshot the final approach course; and corrected by turning to a more northerly heading to intercept the Runway 24R course. Proceeding visually; I had (what I thought) was 24R in sight. LAX Tower informed us that we were lined up for Runway 25R. We were re-cleared for a visual approach to Runway 24R; and I was able to proceed over to that runway in a stable landing configuration and land. My biggest takeaways from this event is to return to the most effective mode(s) of automation after an upset. I should have reengaged the autopilot. I also should have continued on the downwind leg until I had the aircraft configured in a less hurried manner.
B737-900 Captain reported lining up with the wrong runway after encountering wake turbulence from a preceding aircraft on a visual approach to LAX.