Deegan has garnered serious press after winning her second career race last weekgetty images
Monster Energy will continue sponsoring up-and-coming NASCAR driver Hailie Deegan as she rises up the sport’s ladder system. Deegan, the 17-year-old daughter of racer and X Games athlete Brian Deegan, is racing this year in the K&N Series, the level below NASCAR's three-tier national series system. Deegan, who was part of the NASCAR Next marketing program the past two years, is being sponsored this season by Monster and garnering significant press attention after winning her second career race last week. The success early in her career has already led motorsports observers to call her the next Danica Patrick. Monster Energy VP/Sports Marketing Mitch Covington said the drink, which also has sponsored Brian Deegan for years, is planning to stick with Hailie Deegan if and when she moves up to the national series, which could be as soon as next year. "We are huge fans and Monster is firmly behind her," Covington said. "The Deegans are a big part of the family here. ... Hailie is a sweet girl, but she's all business on the track." He added Monster Energy does not want to "add to the pressure" about her rise up the ranks. Covington: "Right now, I just hope she keeps on having fun.”
STARTING TO DRAW ATTENTION: The national media is beginning to pick up on Deegan's story, with Yahoo Sports' Jeff Eisenberg writing she "might be NASCAR's best hope of finding the female star it has lacked" since Patrick retired. Deegan believes she has the "potential to deliver similar marketing clout as Patrick while also emerging as a Cup Series contender the way her victoryless predecesor could not." The plan inside Deegan's camp has her running full-time in the Gander Outdoor Truck Series by '21 before joining the Xfinity Series in '23.
