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A booking project centered around the race life of Hailie Deegan with a blend of reality and fantasy. There will be a blend of different racing types in this and will be a throwback to my previous project 'Harder. Better. Faster. Stronger. (A Racing Journey).' This new journey will begin in 2017, in a timeline where a lot of things will be different. There will also be a blend of real and fictional drivers and character to help further the narrative plot. Welcome to 'A RACING DREAM'.
Keith Kunz Signs New Talent "We got a new rookie on our books. Still in school, not even sniffing at college yet but this girl she has got some real speed in her spirit and I am confident she will bring that same level of energy when she is driving a hotrod. Hailie Deegan is going to be a big talent in this sport and mark my words, when she drive our #38 in the UMP Modified Series this coming season. I am all about giving hot prospects a real chance to shine, but I have full confidence that Miss Deegan is the perfect person for our team and she is going to slot right in. This first year rookie are wild and always full of potential and a lot of beans. I look forward to seeing you all at Arizona for the first race of the season!"
March 11th 2017 Arizona Speedway - UMP Modified Series: Round One (Part One) Track Type: 3/8 mile dirt oval | Conditions: Dry slick, low grip, dusty surface Notes: Surface goes from tacky, polished to dusty within a session. Multiple grooves exist, but only one is fast at a time
Practice Report For Deegan this isn't just the first race of the season, but this is her chance to real learn about the car and the practice session would prove to be a truly vital learning experience. The first run would be a test, that with cold tyres and trash that was still fresh made it very loose. She would drive very aggressive in her style and would seem to be developing a technique of going deep into the corner and late on the brakes. Her engineer Riley Howard would check in and inform her in quite a blunt manner "You are driving in three separate motions, instead of one smooth arc. You need to see each corner as one flowing movement, or you are going to drown." With the first run coming to an end Deegan would be informed that she needs to be more consistent, as her tyres are heating unevenly and there is a real inconsistency in lap times.
After a few adjustments there would be some notable improvements for Deegan with the reminder from Howard being "Roll it in. Don't throw it in!" very much the focus point in her driving approach. Straight away there are immediate change that sees the rear grip improve the throttle application is a lot smoother and the lap times were drop down to 0.3-0.4 seconds faster, which is a notable change on a short oval. On her third run Hailie would really start to show an understanding of both her car and the track and this would really be shown by really seeming to find her form in the middle groove of the track and that her best laps come during the later portions of her runs and would being getting times on average in the range of P11-P13 out of the 22 car taking part during this weekend's race.
Heat Race Report Rather than qualifying the heat race would be broken down into three heats, with the top four drivers from each heat advancing and everyone else in B-Main (last chance qualifying session). Due to having no previous ranking in the series she would automatically start at the back of the grid in her heat race.
The heat race at Arizona Speedway was where Hailie’s day really started to take shape not because of the result, but because of how she handled herself against established dirt racers. Starting P7 in a 7-car heat, she was immediately under pressure. With only the top 4 transferring, there was no room to ease into the race. At the green flag, the field compressed hard into Turn 1, and Hailie made an early statement by diving low underneath Ashton Winger. There was slight door contact nothing dramatic, but enough to test her composure. She held the car straight, kept her foot in it, and came out of the opening lap up one position. It was aggressive, but controlled exactly the balance her team wanted to see after practice. Through the next few laps, she settled into a rhythm behind Tyler Erb, who was running a higher, more momentum-based line. Hailie took a tighter, lower approach, sacrificing a bit of entry speed for stronger exits. It worked she began closing the gap, and by Lap 4 she was firmly in the fight for a transfer spot, with her teammate Logan Seavey just ahead in P4. At this point, her driving looked composed and deliberate, a noticeable step forward from the more reactive style she showed early in practice.
The key moment came on Lap 5. Erb left just enough space on the inside entering Turn 3, and Hailie committed to the move. The intent was right, but the execution came a fraction too early she carried slightly too much speed into the corner, and the car pushed up mid-turn. The resulting contact didn’t spin either driver, but it killed her momentum. In a heat race that short, that was all it took. She dropped back, lost the run, and with it, her best chance of cracking the top four. What stood out, though, was what happened next. Instead of trying to force another move in the remaining laps, she reset. She held her line, defended cleanly, and avoided further mistakes while drivers like Chris Madden began closing from behind. It was a subtle but important shift earlier in the day, she might have doubled down and overdriven again. Here, she showed restraint. She recovered one position late with a cleaner, better-timed move, finishing P6, just short of transfer.
Riley Howard would check in with Hailie whilst she was doing some warm up lad behind the safety car. “Don’t win it in Turn 1. But don’t wait until Lap 10 either. You only to climb three positions, so this isn't about winning this is just about getting your car into the Top 4. With only ten laps there is no time to recover if you make any mistakes. The track is now fully slick with a polish groove, so there will be very little grip off the race line. So just do you best and get this car to the next phase.”
At the green flag, the front row of Chris Madden and Ashton Winger launched cleanly, but the real fight immediately formed behind them as the pack compressed into Turn 1. From seventh, Hailie Deegan chose the safer inside lane, avoiding the worst of the contact and picking her way forward as others hesitated. By the end of the opening lap she had already gained a position and quickly locked onto the back of her teammate Logan Seavey, knowing the transfer battle was forming just ahead. As the race settled, Tyler Erb moved into a solid second behind Madden, while Hudson O’Neal held the critical fourth position. Deegan worked methodically, using a tighter, more controlled line than those around her, and made a clean, well-timed move on Seavey to take fifth. From there, the focus shifted entirely to O’Neal. Rather than forcing an early dive, she studied his line for multiple laps, noting his tendency to drift slightly wide on corner exit as the track slicked off further.
A mid-race caution reset the field and created the defining moment. On the restart, O’Neal spun the tyres slightly, and Deegan reacted instantly, getting a stronger launch and pulling alongside into Turn 1. She committed to the inside but kept the car composed this time, prioritising exit over entry. As O’Neal struggled for traction mid-corner, she completed the pass cleanly off Turn 2, moving into fourth the final transfer spot with just a handful of laps remaining. The closing laps were all about composure. O’Neal stayed close and made one last attempt with a late dive, but Deegan anticipated it, adjusted her line, and focused on getting a better drive off the corner rather than defending too aggressively. That decision paid off, allowing her to pull clear just enough to secure fourth at the line. It wasn’t flashy, but it was controlled, calculated, and exactly what was required a pressure drive that earned her place in the A-Main the hard way finishing exactly where she needed to in 4th Position.
March 11th 2017 Arizona Speedway - UMP Modified Series: Round One(Part Two) Track Type: 3/8 mile dirt oval | Conditions: Surface is fully slicked off, with shiny and polished grooved and very little cushion left on the outside. Notes: The grip level will be low overall due to how much race has already taken place on the track. Tyre manage is critical, and mistakes will increase as the race goes on. The middle groove is seen as the fastest part of the oval, but also the most risky to drive on.
A-Main Race Report Top 4 from each heat = 12 drivers | Top 4 from B-Main = final 4 spots Row 1
Kyle Larson [Silva Motorsports]
Rico Abreu [Abreu Vineyards Racing] Row 2
Brandon Sheppard [Rocket1 Racing]
Bobby Pierce [Pierce Racing] Row 3
Shane Clanton [Capital Race Cars]
Logan Seavey [Keith Kunz Motorsports] Row 4
Brandon Overton [Overton Racing]
Devin Moran [Double Down Motorsports] Row 5
Jonathan Davenport [JD Motorsports]
Scott Bloomquist [Bloomquist Racing] Row 6
Jimmy Owens [Owens Motorsports]
Don O’Neal [O’Neal Racing] Row 7 (B-Main Transfers)
Chris Madden [Scott Bloomquist Racing]
Tyler Erb [Best Performance Motorsports] Row 8 (B-Main Transfers)
Ashton Winger [Winger Motorsports]
Hailie Deegan (R) [Keith Kunz Motorsports]
The A-Main at Arizona Speedway opened with Kyle Larson taking immediate control from pole, edging ahead of Rico Abreu as the field fanned out behind them. From the back in P16, Hailie Deegan made her intent clear straight away, diving low into Turn 1 and threading through early congestion. With several drivers hesitating mid-pack, she capitalised on the inside line to gain multiple positions in the opening laps, quickly moving into the midfield while avoiding the contact and check-ups that caught others out. As the race settled, the focus shifted from aggression to control. While drivers like Tyler Erb and Ashton Winger pushed hard in the early phase, Deegan adopted a smoother, more measured approach, prioritising clean exits and limiting tyre wear on the slick surface. That decision began to pay off as the laps ticked by, with mistakes creeping in ahead of her. She picked off positions methodically, first taking advantage of small errors and then executing a clean, patient pass to move into the top 12 without forcing the issue.
By mid-race, the track had fully polished over, and tyre management became the defining factor. Deegan’s consistency stood out as drivers around her began to fade, allowing her to close on and pass cars like Hudson O’Neal and later Don O’Neal through superior traction on corner exit. Each move was set up over multiple laps, showing a level of patience and awareness that belied her rookie status. While others battled sliding cars, she maintained control, steadily climbing into the top 10 as the race entered its final phase. In the closing laps, Deegan found herself catching Jimmy Owens for eighth, but made the conscious decision not to risk a late move on a treacherous surface. Up front, Larson held firm to secure victory ahead of Abreu and Brandon Sheppard, while Deegan crossed the line in 9th Position after gaining seven positions. It was a composed and intelligent drive, one that highlighted not just her speed but her ability to manage a race a result that immediately established her as more than just an aggressive newcomer.
Top Ten Finishers
Position
Driver
Points
1st.
Kyle Larson
50
2nd.
Rico Abreu
45
3rd.
Brandon Sheppard
42
4th.
Bobby Pierce
40
5th.
Shane Clanton
38
6th.
Jonathan Davenport
36
7th.
Scott Bloomquist
34
8th.
Jimmy Owens
32
9th.
Hailie Deegan
30
10th.
Devin Moran
28
Bonus Point Award Heat Wins (+3 each): Kyle Larson | Rico Abreu | Brandon Sheppard Fastest Lap (+2): Kyle Larson Hard Charger (+2): Hailie Deegan (P16 → P9, +7 positions)
Reporter “Hailie, that was a really composed drive out there tonight. You started deep in the field, had to come through the B-Main, and still came away with a Top 10. Walk us through that opening phase what was going through your mind heading into Turn 1 from P16?”
Hailie Deegan
"I have to thank everyone at Keith Kunz Motorsports. This was my first ever race on the Dirt and even now I am still learning how to move up and down the ridges and grooves. Could I have pushed harder. I don't know, but after qualifying outside of the top twelve, I don't think I can complain at all about finishing in 9th."
Reporter “That learning curve really showed in a positive way especially considering you had to fight your way through the B-Main just to make the Feature. That pass for the final transfer spot was pretty decisive. How much confidence did that give you heading into the A-Main, knowing your night was on the line and you delivered under pressure?”
Hailie Deegan
"I don't know if I had confidence at all. Just advancing out of the B-Main was a positive from my point of view. Everything else was just a bonus."
Reporter “That’s interesting, because from the outside it looked like you were one of the more composed drivers in the second half of that race. A lot of guys were fading, sliding around, making mistakes but you seemed to get stronger as it went on. Was that a conscious decision to manage the tyres and play the long game, or did the race just come to you naturally?”
Hailie Deegan
"My engineer Riley Howard and me learned during practice that if I was going to progress, I was going to have learn to manage the tyres. I know that different tracks are going to offer different challenges, but the sooner I learn about tyres and compounds the strong the advantage I am going to have on the track."
Reporter “That’s a really mature approach, especially this early on. There was a moment late in the race where you were closing in on Jimmy Owens for eighth, and it looked like you had a chance to make a move — but you backed out of it. Can you talk us through that decision? Was that about experience, or just trusting what you and Riley had worked on earlier in the day?”
Hailie Deegan
"Did I need to finish 8th? Not really. Was it worth risking, for no reason at all at? I didn't think so, I played it safe and finished in the top ten. I made a total of seven position gains during the race, I think I showed my worth."
Reporter “You definitely did gaining seven spots in a field like that gets people’s attention. Final one from me: you’ve now shown you can adapt, manage a race, and stay out of trouble. Looking ahead, do you feel like you can start pushing for top fives soon, or is the focus still on learning and building week by week?”
Hailie Deegan
"I am learning dirt and I am learning asphalt. Next time I am on dirt, if it rains it will be mud. This year is all about learning, and everything else is a bonus. 2017 isn't the year I make a name for myself. I think I aim for three years of learning, and then we see what 2020 offers."
Reporter “That’s a long-term vision and honestly, not something we hear often from drivers your age. Appreciate the honesty, Hailie. Strong drive tonight, and we’ll be watching how that progress builds over the season.”
March 18th 2017 Kern County Raceway Park - NASCAR K&N Pro Series West: Round Two (Part One) Track Type: 0.5 mile asphalt oval | Conditions: Good grip early, but it will evolve quickly. Smooth modern surface not overly abrasive. Notes: The grip will become more rubbered in and the racing line will get faster, whilst the off-line will become more slippery.
Practice Report Hailie Deegan’s first official asphalt practice session at Kern County Raceway Park was less about outright speed and more about building a foundation, and it showed in her measured, technical approach throughout. From the moment she left the pits, the contrast to dirt racing was clear the car felt far more planted, but also far less forgiving. Her opening laps were spent identifying braking points and understanding how little steering input was actually needed, with early signs of understeer as she adjusted from her instinct to attack corner entry. By backing up her braking zones and allowing the car to roll more naturally into the corner, she quickly began to find stability and consistency. As the session progressed, the focus shifted to refining specific elements of her driving. Working closely with her engineer, she concentrated on smoothing out her inputs, particularly under braking and through mid-corner, which immediately improved tyre life and balance. Some sound words of advice from Howard would once again prove to be massively helpful: "If you just give up some speed when you enter the turns, this would lead to much stronger exits. This would likely see an improvement in your lap times, but certainly increase your control of the car."
By the final run, Deegan looked far more comfortable, particularly on corner exit where her throttle application became noticeably cleaner and more controlled. Her lap times stabilised still around half a second off the leading pace but achieved with a level of consistency that stood out for a first-time asphalt driver.She demonstrated a clear ability to adapt, absorb feedback, and translate it into immediate on-track improvement. In a discipline where precision and discipline matter more than aggression, it was a quietly impressive start one that gave Venturini Motorsports confidence that the speed could come once the fundamentals were fully in place. With Riley being quick to give some feedback as she was pulling into the garages. "That was impressive Hailie! Really damn impressive! If you are able to show this much talent after just one practice session, imagine how good you could be in this rig if these guys gave you the ride for the whole season."
Qualifying Report Hailie Deegan approached qualifying at Kern County Raceway Park with a clear priority: keep it clean and build confidence rather than chase an outright lap time. On her first flying lap, she focused on smooth braking and controlled corner entry, avoiding the common rookie mistake of overdriving into the turns. The result was a solid banker lap with only minor understeer mid-corner. It wasn’t spectacular, but it was composed and mistake-free exactly what her Venturini Motorsports team wanted to see from a driver still adapting to asphalt. With tyre temperatures up on her second lap, Deegan made a small step forward, carrying slightly more speed into the corners while still staying within her limits. A minor push in Turn 3 cost her a little time, but she corrected it cleanly and improved her lap marginally. Ultimately, her best effort placed her P12 on the grid, around half a second off the leading pace. While she left some time on the table compared to the more aggressive drivers, the session achieved its goal a clean, controlled run that set her up with a stable starting position and valuable experience heading into her first asphalt race.
Row 1 Todd Gilliland [Bill McAnally Racing]
Derek Kraus [Bill McAnally Racing] Row 2
Noah Gragson [Jefferson Pitts Racing]
Chris Eggleston [Sunrise Ford Racing] Row 3
Michael Self [Venturini Motorsports]
Cole Rouse [Bill McAnally Racing] Row 4
Ryan Partridge [Sunrise Ford Racing]
Julia Landauer [Bill McAnally Racing] Row 5
Will Rodgers [LFR Chassis]
Riley Herbst [Joe Gibbs Racing] Row 6
Shane Lee [Scott Motorsports]
Hailie Deegan (R) [Venturini Motorsports] Row 7
Brandon McReynolds [Bill McAnally Racing]
Luis Martinez Jr. [Rev Racing] Row 8
Jesse Little [Shigeaki Hattori Racing]
Brendon Gaughan [Guest Entry]
March 18th 2017 Kern County Raceway Park - NASCAR K&N Pro Series West: Round Two (Part Two) Track Type: 0.5 mile asphalt oval | Conditions: Good grip early, but it will evolve quickly. Smooth modern surface not overly abrasive. Notes: The grip will become more rubbered in and the racing line will get faster, whilst the off-line will become more slippery.
Hailie Deegan’s first asphalt race at Kern County Raceway Park began from P12, and the opening laps immediately tested her ability to balance aggression with control. Opting for an attacking start, she dove to the inside into Turn 1 and gained positions early, but quickly recognised the risk of overdriving on a surface that punished mistakes instantly. After a brief moment of push mid-corner in the opening laps, she adjusted her approach, settling into a smoother rhythm that allowed her to stabilise the car and begin building consistent lap times. By Lap 20, she had worked her way into the top eight, already showing a strong ability to adapt mid-race.
As the race moved into its middle phase, Deegan shifted focus toward tyre management, a decision that would define her performance. While several drivers ahead of her continued to push aggressively, she prioritised clean corner entry and strong exits, minimising stress on the front tyres. This approach paid off as the field began to spread out and mistakes crept in, allowing her to capitalise on small errors without taking unnecessary risks. A well-executed move on Ryan Partridge and a textbook crossover pass on Cole Rouse brought her up to sixth place, putting her firmly in contention with the front runners. A mid-race caution just past the halfway point created a critical moment, bunching the field back together and offering an opportunity to attack. However, Deegan chose a more defensive approach on the restart, focusing on protecting her position rather than forcing a move into the top five. While this decision meant she missed a brief opening on Michael Self ahead, it also allowed her to avoid the chaos and overdriving that often follows restarts. By maintaining composure and tyre discipline, she kept her car in a strong position for the final stages of the race.
From Lap 75 onward, Deegan committed fully to conserving her tyres, even at the cost of losing slight ground to the cars ahead. This long-term strategy began to show its value as the race wore on, with drivers in the top five starting to struggle with grip and consistency. While others fought sliding cars and fading pace, Deegan remained smooth and controlled, her lap times holding steady. A second caution inside the final 50 laps reset the field once again, but this time she was in a far stronger position, with one of the best-balanced cars on track. In the final 30 laps, Deegan began to apply pressure with precision rather than aggression. She picked off Michael Self with a clean exit-based pass and then methodically worked on Chris Eggleston ahead. Instead of forcing an entry move, she set up the overtake over multiple laps, using positioning and racecraft to create an opening. When the opportunity came, she executed it flawlessly, carrying more momentum through the corner and completing the pass without contact to move into fourth place. It was a move that highlighted both patience and technical understanding.
The closing laps were a demonstration of control and maturity. With a gap to third place but no immediate pressure from behind, Deegan resisted the urge to overpush, maintaining her pace and bringing the car home cleanly in 4th position. From a starting position of P12, it was a remarkable drive not just for the positions gained, but for the way she achieved them. In her first asphalt outing, she showed not only adaptability but race intelligence well beyond her experience, turning a learning weekend into a statement result that firmly established her as a rising talent across multiple disciplines.
