Chandler, AZ – Brian Deegan was anxious to get back in the saddle when the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series headed to Wild Horse Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona April 24 – 25. The six time champion was forced to sit out rounds one and two at Lake Elsinore due to an injury. He may not have been 100 percent during practice on Thursday but it was clear he was getting up to speed quickly. He was 5th fastest in Pro-2 and was getting the new Rockstar Energy / Makita Power Tools Ford Pro-4 dialed in; running in the 7th spot. He was looking forward to making some adjustments and laying down some fast times during qualifying on Friday. He would not get the chance as sudden heavy rains drenched the track with enough force to cancel both practice and qualifying. Starting positions for Friday’s heats were determined by the points standings.

First up on Friday night would be the Pro-4’s. Due to the qualifying rain-out, Deegan would start deep in the pack. As the front runners bashed and crashed, he focused on getting a solid finish and working a few kinks out of the new truck. He got some good seat time in race conditions; finishing in 6th place. By the time the Pro-2 race came along Brian was feeling pretty good. He started back in the pack again but made a steady climb up through the pack in the Rockstar Energy / Makita Power Tools Ford. The caution flag flew several times for broken trucks and debris. While others crashed out in the early laps he stayed out of trouble making a series of surgical passes. After a re-start on lap 14, he made a brilliant pass to pick up two spots at once. When the checkered flag waived, he had earned his first podium in 2015; a second place.

By Saturday the rains had passed, allowing everyone a chance to qualify for position. Brian was making good laps in the Pro-4; it looked like a different truck. He picked up nearly a full second compared to his practice times on Thursday. Everything looked promising as he lined up to start the race but on lap 1 in turn four, it all came to a sudden halt. Someone checked up in front causing Brian to slam into the truck ahead of him. The hit was hard enough to disable the Rockstar Energy / Makita Power Tools Ford; Brian was out before he even got warmed up.

The Pro-2 race would be the final heat of the weekend. The inevitability of another weekend of racing in the books usually results in some aggressive driving. That would be the case in round 4 as everyone fought over the same strip of dirt. Brian was running well in the early laps and staying out of trouble. After a yellow flag re-start, he jumped Spaccarelli for 5th in turn one but got tangled up with Renezeder in turn two. He was able to continue but without the use of his brakes. Desperate to put some points in the bank, Brian had to use his considerable skills to nurse the truck around for nine more laps. He made it work; finishing in 11th. “It was a tough weekend but they are always tough,” said Deegan, “We made good progress, that’s what’s important. We’ll be even stronger when we get back to Lake Elsinore for rounds 5 and 6.” Rounds 5 and 6 will be held May 30-31 at Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park in Lake Elsinore, California.

For a complete schedule and ticket information go to: http://www.lucasoiloffroad.com/