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We would like to thank all the Metal Mulisha family and friends from around the world that gave all the kind words, love and respect to the loss and tragedy of Jeff Ox Kargola. Jeff touched each and everyone’s heart in a special way. Jeff was a individual that always gave 110% of effort in each and every talented skill he had from Freestyle Motocross, Surfing, Offroad Truck Racing, and racing in Baja. Family, friends, and fans from around the world, send in thousands of videos and photos to help contribute and create Ox a tribute video of his amazing life. Please take a moment and check out the legacy of Ox. You can also upload some of your personal photos of Ox in our Remembering Jeff Ox Kargola photogallery.

If you are following us on Facebook or Twitter we would be pumped to share the Ride In Peace logo with all of you and add it to your profile picture.

Rod Johnson Jr arrived at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale on Saturday, for his 2nd race of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist Super Late Model season and was looking forward to improving his performance from his last race. The task was indeed steep, considering Johnson left the last race as both the pole position winner as well as the race winner, accomplishing both in dominating fashion.

Johnson was joined this weekend by Freestyle Motocross legend Brian Deegan who, in a last minute agreement, signed a deal with Position One Motorsports, which would put him behind the wheel of the #30 Super Late Model entry. Deegan’s appearance at the Southern California track comes on the heels of a recent announcement that will see him partnering up with Ford Racing, which will see him race across multiple racing platforms. The Position One Motorsports team was excited to have Deegan join them for what was to become an exciting night of racing action.

The day started off promising after Johnson and Deegan completed their practice sessions on a positive note. Johnson led every session, while Deegan used the seat time to acclimate himself in his new surroundings. For his second practice session, Deegan jumped up to 8th place on the timesheets out of 14 cars. Later in the afternoon, under partly cloudy skies and cool, breezy conditions, qualifying arrived. The Position One Motorsports duo, led by crew chief John Schuetze, queued up; ready to hammer down their 2-lap qualifying effort. Deegan was first and, with 5 cars already on the timesheets, he muscled the 3500-pound car around the ½ track with poise. His effort was rewarded and he shot up to the top of the leaderboard with a time of 18.076. Deegan would eventually start the race in 9th after all the racers had completed their qualifying effort. Johnson was the last to enter the track to qualify. A strong qualifier in the past, Johnson didn’t disappoint. His first lap time was at a blistering pace. The official time read was 17.558, which not only earned him the pole position for the second straight race, but the time also broke the existing track record of 17.571, which was set by RJ last year at the California Classic.

Taking the green flag, RJ screamed thru the start and didn’t look back. Johnson immediately put a 2-car length lead between himself and the 2nd place car. He ran his best lap on the 2nd lap of the race with a time of 17.978. He continued to maintain a fast pace and carved around the track for the remaining 77 laps, while at the same time denying any attempts to take his lead. Indeed, at a point in the race, Johnson’s staggering lead was as high as 4-car lengths. Johnson would eventually cruise his way to winning the race by 1.169 seconds.

For Deegan, this race was about learning and gaining experience. His debut race with Position One Motorsports would also be an eventful affair. The founder of the famous Metal Mulisha Freestyle Motocross team would take the start of the race in solid fashion and began setting some impressive times. He quickly picked up the 8th spot and soon thereafter caught up to Race Liberante to challenge for 7th. It soon became a 4-way car battle. With every lap Deegan inched his way closer to taking the spot away. He was sidetracked momentarily when the #43 of Dennis Furden hit him from behind and spun him around on turn #2. Deegan showed incredible skill and corrected the car and was able to continue on his way; preserving his 7th spot. He slid into 5th, after Ryan Partridge was forced to retire from the race, and immediately went after the 4th place of Liberante. On the last lap Deegan attempted a daring move on the inside of Liberante in turn #2 for 4thplace. And with 3rd only a few feet away, Deegan powered his way forward, but ultimately accepted a solid 4th place finish. This would be Deegan’s best stock car career finish.

Position One Motorsports returns next weekend with its Auto Club Late Model program and driver Taylor Miinch and returns to Super Late Model competition on May 7th.

Rod Johnson Jr, Driver No. 03 – “This victory really goes to the crew. They deserve this one. Though we had a vibration issue earlier in the day the crew persevered and gave me an absolutely great car for the race. The car was a missile during the race and all I did was drive it. Many thanks go to our sponsors and everyone who made this possible.”

Brian Deegan, Driver No. 30 – “This weekend’s deal was thrown together at the last minute and I was lucky enough to be partnered up with one of the best teams out here. I immediately realized the car was a good car and it was pretty much up to me to get a good result. Once I got with the lead pack I started figuring out how the car works. This weekend was certainly a learning experience. Sometimes you have to put the ego aside and admit that you may not be the best in the sport and start from scratch. That’s what makes it so exciting. Once I got to the lead pack and smelled blood I realized I had a chance to go even further, so I took it and made a move on the bottom and took it, and finished in the 4th spot, which in the end, exceeded my goal of leaving here with a top-5. This weekend was a big time success. I feel like the guys at Position One are the winning edge that I needed to move forward and I think I’m where I need to be.”

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Next Generation Athletes, Hailie “Dirt Princess” Deegan

Move over Danica Patrick, the future of Off Road Racing is here and leading the movement of young female athletes is Hailie “Dirt Princess” Deegan. Inspired by her Dad Brian Deegan’s success in Off Road Trucks, Hailie Deegan is determined to become a force to be reckoned with as she begins her first full season in the Junior 2 class of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.
The inaugural Lucas Oil Off Road Race kicked off at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, AZ and Hailie came in full force with sponsor support. Despite having an unsatisfactory weekend due to motor complications with her new Junior 2 truck, she didn’t let it phase her and said it was one of her favorite tracks and she’s looking forward to coming back and redeeming herself. We wanted to find out more about the young athlete and fortunately we had the opportunity to discuss her move to Off Road and her plans for the future.
 
What made you decide to get into racing trucks?
My dad started racing Pro-Lite Unlimited Trucks and being at the track watching kids my age racing looked like a lot of fun.
 
Who do you look up to in racing?
I look up to my Dad the most in racing because he succeeds at everything he puts his mind to.  I also look up to Danica Patrick as a female racer because one day I would like to race Nascar as well.
 

How did you get your first sponsor to sponsor you?
I hand wrote my own sponsorship letter and passed them out at the races and also my dad mailed out a few to his contacts.
 
What do you do to prepare for a race?
I practice on my track at home.
 
What do you like most about racing?
Going FAST!!!
 

What’s the first thing you do when the race is over?
I talk with my Dad and mechanic about the race and then the race gear comes off, play clothes go on and I head out to the pits with my best friend Isabella Naughton to ride bikes.
 
What are your goals in Off Road this year?
I would like to place top 5 in the series and stay top 3 in the Lucas Oil Regional Series.

 
Keep your eyes on Hailie Deegan, she’s a determined young lady with a bright racing future ahead of her. In her first ever Off Road Race in Perris, CA Hailie finished an impressive 1st place in her class. Catching attention of the media, Hailie is already making headlines and has been interviewed by numerous nationally syndicated news stations, most recently Fox 10 News in Phoenix, AZ. Even though it’s evident she’s still a kid at heart, don’t let her demeanor fool you. Hailie “Dirt Princess” Deegan is a serious competitor with a winning mindset and has her sights set on inspiring the next generation of young athletes to come.
 
Sponsors:
4-Wheel Parts, Lucas Oil, Metal Mulisha, Etnies, Simpson
 
Become a fan of Hailie Deegan on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/dirtprincessdeegan
 
Upcoming Events:
Lucas Oil Short Course Regional
Date: April 2nd 2011
Location: Glen Helen Raceway
http://www.GlenHelen.com
 
Bandolero Race
Date: April 9th 2011
Location: Toyota Speedway Irwindale, CA
http://www.ToyotaSpeedwayatIrwindale.com

http://www.metalmulisha.com/team/hailie-deegan/

Clear your schedule and make plans to come down April 2nd to Toyota Speedway located in Irwindale, CA! The Rockstar Metal Mulisha FMX team will be hitting ramp-to-ramp for all of the fans. Wes Agee, Todd Potter, Jimmy Hill & Julian Dusseau will all be suiting up for this kick ass event. Gates open up at 4pm so don’t miss out on this event, come on down get some autographs, hangout with the boys, watch some racing and check out the best freestyle motocross team tear it up!

Gates Open:
4:00pm

Directions:
500 Speedway Drive
Irwindale, California 91706
Main: (626) 358-1100
Fax: (626) 357-4227

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Last June Brian Deegan announced that he’d be joining NTS Motorsports’ Driver Development program with the objective of moving through the ranks of NASCAR to Sprint Cup as quickly as possible. Check out with Deegan has to say about what to expect…

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Coming off of two Silver Medals in Rally at X-Games 16, Deegan is confident to make a name for himself on the big stage of NASCAR. Quickly climbing in the ranks of the Pepsi Super Late Model series, the General is pushing his NTS Motorsports race car to the limits, making faster lap times and quick maneuvering around other drivers at top speeds. Check out the latest video of Brian racing at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale California!