Brian Deegan prior to the start of the Pepsi Super Late Model race. Photo by Anne Cypress.
Whether it is Motocross, X-Games or Off-Road Racing everything 35-year old Brian Deegan touches turns to gold.
For 13 years Deegan has made a name for himself in the Extreme sports world. His 20 podium finishes in Moto-X or X-Games have driven him to his new endeavor. NASCAR.
The founding member of Metal Mulisha, the man they call “the General” made his NASCAR debut at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale on Saturday night in the Pepsi Super Late Model Division.
“The racer in me wants to finish up front,” said Deegan before his debut. “I also need to be realistic. It is my first time doing this sport. Growing up on dirt it is different. With this being my first time racing on pavement, it is about reading driving lines and carrying speed.”
Many of the 3,000 fans came to see Deegan take another step in his racing career that has blossomed in the last two years.
Deegan has proven he can get behind the wheel of a Lucas Oil Off-Road Racecar and drive it to victory lane in Las Vegas, NV. Now the question was, could he do the same with a Super Late Model.
Fans gathered near Deegan's #58 Metal Mulisha Pepsi Super Late Model. Photo by Anne Cypress.
His qualifying attempts were very good for a newcomer at one of the fastest half-mile tracks in the country. Deegan’s first lap was 18.88 and he finished his second lap at 18.60. Not nearly fast enough to put him on the pole, but good enough for 10th fastest.
“Top ten is my goal for tonight,” Deegan said. “I also want to get out of here with the car in one piece. It is hard for me, because I am so competitive that I want to pass someone who passes me.”
The first race went pretty uneventful for Deegan as he battled more experienced drivers at the beginning of the race. An over correction cost him valuable track position as he spun the #58 Metal Mulisha car into the infield. Deegan was able to coax home a top ten finish during the first of two races on the evening.
Deegan’s next race was much better in terms of being able to stay on the lead lap for the entire race. Although he wasn’t able to pass cars in his second race, he still turned in a respectable 11th place finish.
Next week, Deegan will be back on familiar footing in his Rockstar/Metal Mulisha LOORRS Truck in Tooele, UT., before returning to Los Angeles for the Summer X-Games.
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