After a post-race inspection, second runner Zane Smith’s truck was disqualified. The official NASCAR statement reads: “#38 has been disqualified for non-compliance with the NASCAR rule specification under the following rules: 14.16.1 – 1-4 Lug Nuts”.
There’s no question that Hayley Deegan has had a rough time at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Deegan, eager to eventually become a NASCAR favorite, recorded her 25th start in the Truck Series at the Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 Friday night at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
As with her previous 24 races, Deegan once again had a very tough race, finishing 33rd in 36 trucks (she originally finished 34th before Zane Smith was disqualified) ( More on that later).
When Danica Patrick retired in 2018, her heir — whether she wanted to take the position or not — was apparently Deegan. With Danica gone, many see Deegan as the next big hope for female car drivers.
Like Patrick, Deegan – albeit a fresh-faced teenager – is attractive, articulate spokesperson for her sponsors well beyond her years, with the easygoing appearance of a longtime veteran and quickly becoming A fan favorite (she has nearly 128,000 twitter-followers).
It is also highly coveted by teams, sponsors and manufacturers.
Deegan has excelled in some lower-level races like the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West (5th in 2018 at age 17, 3rd in 2019, three wins in two seasons). .
Despite not participating in Victory Lane, the Temecula, Calif. resident was promoted full-time to the ARCA Menards series in 2020, but he has performed extremely well, with 4 top 5s and 17 top 10s in 20 races, in 2020. 3rd in the final ranking.
At a precocious age of just 19 years.
This leads to a further rung up the racing ladder, jumping into David Gilliland’s Ford Power Truck Series team in 2021.
Unfortunately, Deegan’s front crash got there, as did her three straight falls at the end of the season.
She ended the 2021 season 17th, the same position she has held since the 11th race of the 22 season, with no further up or downs.
She only managed a top 10 finish last season, finishing 7th at Gateway, just outside St. Louis.
