Rounds 7 and 8 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series provided the perfect elements for Brian Deegan to showcase his driving skills in the #38 Rockstar Energy Drink/Makita Power Tools Ford. The location of Rounds 7 and 8 was Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. This technical track suited Deegan's strengths in course handling and it showed.
In Friday's Race, Deegan took the #38 to an early lead in Pro 2, as good driving helped him fend off Rob MacCachren's aggressive driving. On lap 7, MacCachren ran into rear suspension failure, ending his challenge, which gave Brian a bit of breathing room. After a caution brought the pack back to a tighter group, Bryce Menzies began making a run for the lead on lap 12. Deegan's defensive driving kept Menzies at bay, however, and Deegan would take his fourth win of the season in Pro 2.
In Pro Lite, a good qualifying position allowed Deegan to take up the early lead. Once again defensive driving allowed him to stay ahead of Sheldon Creed, who was taking a good shot at Deegan's lead. By lap 8 Creed moved inside of the #38 on turn one, only to hand it back over three turns later as a bicycle sent him wide. From there a series of full course yellows kept the field together until lap 17. Then it was Ryan Beat who tried unsuccessfully to challenge Deegan for the lead. Deegan had enough space and skill to easily clinch his second victory of the day.
Saturday brought up Round 8 of the LOORRS. A four position inversion had Deegan starting his Pro 2 on the inside of row three. He held that position for much of the race, waiting for an opportunity to move up in the field. That time came on lap 19 when Deegan made a quick move to get around Patrick Clark to take over fourth. RJ Anderson, who was leading the pack, slowed with a right rear flat and the field moved up in order. Then Carl Renezeder, who was running in second, suffered suspension failure that caused him to slow and create a brief pile up. This led to another full course yellow. On the restart Deegan was now in second. The field bunched again after a fifth yellow. There were two laps to go when the drivers got the green flag. Menzies pushed Deegan wide after the restart, taking over second. With little time left in the race, Deegan held onto third, ensuring his third podium of the weekend.
His final event at Miller Motorsports Park was Round 8 of Pro Lite. The #38 Rockstar Energy Drink/Makita Power Tools Ford was in the top five early in the race. Deegan and the other top five drivers maintained their positions for the first several laps. By a restart on lap 12, Deegan was holding onto third. With impressive driving through the rhythm section, Deegan got by Ryan Beat to move into second. For the remaining laps, Deegan charged hard on Sheldon Creed, but would finish a close second to make the podium for all four events over the weekend.
Deegan's stellar driving helped him gain valuable points in the Pro Lite Championship and increase his substantial lead in the Pro 2 Championship. Nearly halfway through the 2014 LOORRS season, Brian Deegan is in a great position to make a run for both the Pro Lite and Pro 2 Championships. He will continue the battle with Rounds 9 and 10 August 1-2 at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Ca.
