WEBVTT
1
00:00:00.195 --> 00:00:01.445
This is off track.
2
00:00:02.975 --> 00:00:05.485
Hello everybody. Welcome to Off Track with Hinch and Rossi.
3
00:00:05.485 --> 00:00:08.965
James is on a yacht in The Bahamas. So here I am with Tim.
4
00:00:09.665 --> 00:00:11.125
I'm conducting a Tuesday episode,
5
00:00:11.265 --> 00:00:15.805
but, uh, so lucky to be joined by um, someone
6
00:00:16.025 --> 00:00:18.565
who I've known for, for quite a few years now, um,
7
00:00:18.565 --> 00:00:22.645
but is kind of making her her debut, um,
8
00:00:22.745 --> 00:00:25.805
and her mark in Indie Next, uh, Hailey Degan.
9
00:00:25.805 --> 00:00:27.325
Thank you so much for coming on.
10
00:00:27.635 --> 00:00:28.725
Yeah, thanks for having me.
11
00:00:28.845 --> 00:00:29.765
I wouldn't mind being in
12
00:00:29.765 --> 00:00:31.165
The Bahamas on a yacht. It sounds pretty
13
00:00:31.165 --> 00:00:32.165
much
.
14
00:00:32.165 --> 00:00:32.285
I know, right? It sounds
15
00:00:32.305 --> 00:00:33.525
way better than whatever we're doing.
16
00:00:33.635 --> 00:00:37.085
Yeah. Um, so let's, let's get right into it.
17
00:00:37.385 --> 00:00:42.005
Um, why don't you, for those that don't know, um, there's,
18
00:00:42.115 --> 00:00:43.245
it's not a coincidence.
19
00:00:43.245 --> 00:00:45.085
So Deegan is your last name.
20
00:00:45.185 --> 00:00:48.565
So Brian Deegan's, your dad, um, obviously, uh,
21
00:00:48.665 --> 00:00:50.765
hugely successful in, in the world
22
00:00:50.785 --> 00:00:52.845
of motocross and, and dirt bikes and everything.
23
00:00:53.385 --> 00:00:55.725
Was racing kind of always on your radar
24
00:00:55.785 --> 00:00:57.205
and was it always cars or did
25
00:00:57.205 --> 00:00:58.325
dirt bikes ever cross your mind?
26
00:00:58.715 --> 00:01:01.285
Yeah, so I started racing when I was about eight,
27
00:01:01.425 --> 00:01:04.005
and that was at the time my dad just started getting
28
00:01:04.065 --> 00:01:05.205
out of Modo.
29
00:01:05.385 --> 00:01:08.365
And, um, he was still doing X Games but not racing.
30
00:01:08.505 --> 00:01:09.805
He was doing the freestyle stuff
31
00:01:09.825 --> 00:01:12.525
and made the transition to off-road racing.
32
00:01:12.745 --> 00:01:15.365
And that's when I kinda took interest in it.
33
00:01:15.445 --> 00:01:18.085
'cause I saw kids my age doing it, which is like such a,
34
00:01:18.085 --> 00:01:20.645
there's so little people
35
00:01:20.645 --> 00:01:22.765
that have come from like the off-road sinks.
36
00:01:22.795 --> 00:01:26.045
It's so West Coast, it's, it was like its own little world.
37
00:01:26.045 --> 00:01:27.565
Like it felt massive at the time
38
00:01:27.755 --> 00:01:29.565
because like obviously you're a part of it.
39
00:01:29.745 --> 00:01:30.965
And then like now looking at
40
00:01:30.965 --> 00:01:32.045
it, I'm like, man, that was crazy.
41
00:01:32.115 --> 00:01:35.085
Like, it was just its own little form of racing like that.
42
00:01:35.185 --> 00:01:37.965
That's all we knew. And there's a few kids I've gotten out
43
00:01:37.965 --> 00:01:39.565
and like gone to NASCAR and different things
44
00:01:39.565 --> 00:01:41.005
and done a bunch of different stuff,
45
00:01:41.025 --> 00:01:43.125
but like, it's very, very small amount.
46
00:01:43.145 --> 00:01:45.365
But I had, uh, saw other kids my age racing
47
00:01:45.905 --> 00:01:48.245
and like I was the type kid, I see you do it as a kid.
48
00:01:48.525 --> 00:01:50.885
I wanted to do it. And so I just from that moment
49
00:01:51.425 --> 00:01:53.125
was I begged my parents
50
00:01:53.425 --> 00:01:55.325
and I was like, please, please, please, you know,
51
00:01:55.325 --> 00:01:59.885
like first kid spoiled rotten by my mom and, and, um,
52
00:02:00.145 --> 00:02:01.325
and so it was perfect timing
53
00:02:01.325 --> 00:02:03.685
because my dad, my dad was there already
54
00:02:03.785 --> 00:02:06.365
and it was kind of, I can be, I was there, I was
55
00:02:06.365 --> 00:02:08.005
with my family hanging out, so why not?
56
00:02:09.145 --> 00:02:10.685
And so what, what age was that?
57
00:02:11.035 --> 00:02:13.005
That was at I, for my eighth birthday.
58
00:02:13.045 --> 00:02:14.565
I got my first off-road truck ,
59
00:02:14.885 --> 00:02:16.085
that was my birthday present .
60
00:02:16.785 --> 00:02:18.765
And so you talk about the off-road racing
61
00:02:18.865 --> 00:02:21.445
and stuff, you know, I have a little bit of awareness of it.
62
00:02:21.705 --> 00:02:24.845
Um, but are you, for our listeners, are you referring
63
00:02:24.845 --> 00:02:27.565
to like the the score type of championship
64
00:02:27.565 --> 00:02:29.205
or like kings of hammers and everything?
65
00:02:29.265 --> 00:02:31.885
So yeah, so that's part kind your, your trophy truck esque
66
00:02:32.315 --> 00:02:33.315
Type of thing.
67
00:02:33.315 --> 00:02:34.845
Yeah, so I would say it's pretty much same type
68
00:02:34.845 --> 00:02:36.725
of vehicles, but it was a short course.
69
00:02:36.725 --> 00:02:39.005
Okay. And so it was like on like a, almost like a,
70
00:02:39.115 --> 00:02:41.365
what people would say, like road course style mm-hmm .
71
00:02:41.665 --> 00:02:44.205
Um, but it was just like a shorter course minute, lap times,
72
00:02:44.205 --> 00:02:45.245
something around that.
73
00:02:45.705 --> 00:02:48.765
And um, but it was like Baja style on a short course. Right.
74
00:02:48.765 --> 00:02:50.645
And then that series kind of has fizzled out now,
75
00:02:50.745 --> 00:02:53.125
so it's not like much you can look up anymore .
76
00:02:53.695 --> 00:02:56.965
Right. And then, so you started that at eight
77
00:02:57.305 --> 00:02:58.685
and was the goal you just,
78
00:02:58.685 --> 00:03:00.645
at this point you just wanted to drive mm-hmm .
79
00:03:00.835 --> 00:03:03.365
Cars and, and trucks 'cause your dad was doing it
80
00:03:03.365 --> 00:03:04.645
and it seemed like a cool thing to do.
81
00:03:04.785 --> 00:03:09.045
Got it. So then at what point in your life did you decide,
82
00:03:09.105 --> 00:03:10.245
all right, this is something that I
83
00:03:10.245 --> 00:03:12.205
wanna continue as a profession.
84
00:03:12.265 --> 00:03:15.165
I'm good enough at it and like let's lay out the roadmap
85
00:03:15.345 --> 00:03:18.245
for, for what I'm gonna do as as an adult?
86
00:03:18.315 --> 00:03:20.845
Yeah, and I think obviously my dad was really good at
87
00:03:20.845 --> 00:03:22.565
everything he did when it came to racing.
88
00:03:22.595 --> 00:03:25.125
Like whatever form of racing he was in, he succeeded at.
89
00:03:25.425 --> 00:03:27.245
And like, I saw my dad doing that, so I'm like,
90
00:03:27.245 --> 00:03:28.645
okay, I wanna be like my dad.
91
00:03:28.725 --> 00:03:30.085
I wanna do the same thing. I wanna succeed.
92
00:03:30.225 --> 00:03:33.325
And so, um, I think he really like instilled in me a lot
93
00:03:33.325 --> 00:03:35.885
of like, drive when it comes to that.
94
00:03:35.915 --> 00:03:37.205
Like figure it out, like
95
00:03:37.205 --> 00:03:38.205
however long it takes,
96
00:03:38.525 --> 00:03:39.765
whatever you gotta do, try to figure it out.
97
00:03:39.865 --> 00:03:42.005
And so, um, he obviously helped me a lot.
98
00:03:42.065 --> 00:03:43.885
And so when I really started winning, like when I,
99
00:03:43.995 --> 00:03:46.085
when I was like 12, 13 years old,
100
00:03:46.385 --> 00:03:49.525
that's when it went from this is fun to, this is serious to
101
00:03:49.525 --> 00:03:51.245
where like, I wanna beat everyone out there.
102
00:03:51.405 --> 00:03:53.085
I don't care to make friends type of deal.
103
00:03:53.585 --> 00:03:56.045
And so I think it really changed a lot for me
104
00:03:56.045 --> 00:03:57.405
around like my young teen years.
105
00:03:57.865 --> 00:04:00.325
So then was you're, you're kind
106
00:04:00.325 --> 00:04:02.685
of transition into road racing, correct me if I'm wrong,
107
00:04:02.685 --> 00:04:04.685
but it was really through kind of the ARCA
108
00:04:05.205 --> 00:04:06.445
championship. Was that,
109
00:04:06.545 --> 00:04:07.485
Was that the first Yeah, it was, uh,
110
00:04:07.485 --> 00:04:08.725
KNN back when it was KN
111
00:04:08.725 --> 00:04:10.005
mm-hmm
. Yeah. And then
112
00:04:10.005 --> 00:04:11.005
Now it's all with arca.
113
00:04:11.625 --> 00:04:16.205
And so looking quickly, um, kind of at your resume,
114
00:04:16.645 --> 00:04:18.165
'cause I didn't want to get anything wrong.
115
00:04:18.605 --> 00:04:21.525
I was blown away with the amount of races that you've done,
116
00:04:21.585 --> 00:04:24.285
not only in KNN and ARCA and trucks mm-hmm .
117
00:04:24.795 --> 00:04:26.565
Xfinity to, to a certain extent.
118
00:04:27.065 --> 00:04:29.165
So all of those years and,
119
00:04:29.165 --> 00:04:32.405
and all of those races that you did, you know, are kind
120
00:04:32.405 --> 00:04:35.285
of on a, on a ladder and a progression to get to cup, right?
121
00:04:35.285 --> 00:04:37.605
Mm-hmm. That's everyone's goal, you know, it's obviously a,
122
00:04:37.705 --> 00:04:40.725
it gets very finite towards the top of mm-hmm.
123
00:04:40.745 --> 00:04:42.445
Of only so many drivers. You're doing it.
124
00:04:43.175 --> 00:04:47.165
Where then did the idea for kind
125
00:04:47.165 --> 00:04:48.405
of the open wheel stuff come about?
126
00:04:48.685 --> 00:04:50.885
I mean, I've always loved road course racing.
127
00:04:51.115 --> 00:04:52.885
Like I, I gotta do with Ford
128
00:04:52.905 --> 00:04:54.245
and I'm still with Ford to this day.
129
00:04:54.665 --> 00:04:58.805
Um, and with Ford I gotta go do the GT four stuff and Im a
130
00:04:58.945 --> 00:05:01.565
and um, I fished on the podium there, one of the races,
131
00:05:01.565 --> 00:05:04.605
like it was gen I genuinely, like, I really enjoyed
132
00:05:04.605 --> 00:05:06.125
that stuff, had a blast doing it.
133
00:05:06.505 --> 00:05:08.685
And it was just like a great experience.
134
00:05:08.825 --> 00:05:11.045
And I've always like, I love go-karting.
135
00:05:11.045 --> 00:05:12.205
Like I just loved it.
136
00:05:12.205 --> 00:05:15.605
And so when I kind of saw an opportunity like, oh, I kind
137
00:05:15.605 --> 00:05:17.805
of wanna check this out, like see how it is
138
00:05:17.865 --> 00:05:20.925
and kind of like learn and build myself as a driver.
139
00:05:21.065 --> 00:05:22.405
See if I get better at something.
140
00:05:22.405 --> 00:05:25.445
Like, say I feel like for me, I just, I love racing.
141
00:05:25.915 --> 00:05:26.965
I'll race whatever I can.
142
00:05:26.965 --> 00:05:29.565
People offer me a dirt late mall ride. I'll go drive it.
143
00:05:29.565 --> 00:05:30.645
Like I really don't care.
144
00:05:30.865 --> 00:05:32.485
It could be a street sock and I'll go drive it.
145
00:05:32.485 --> 00:05:35.245
Like I, I really do not care. I'll drive anything .
146
00:05:35.525 --> 00:05:39.125
And so I think that's kind of where I see it as, okay,
147
00:05:39.125 --> 00:05:40.965
this is like a different avenue to try out
148
00:05:41.145 --> 00:05:43.245
and I know I'll build my skillset to the driver
149
00:05:43.245 --> 00:05:44.885
because it is a challenge. It is hard.
150
00:05:45.345 --> 00:05:46.845
And, and I guess that,
151
00:05:46.915 --> 00:05:48.725
that leads really well into my next question.
152
00:05:48.785 --> 00:05:51.805
So what is like the biggest adaptation that you've had?
153
00:05:51.985 --> 00:05:53.965
You know, you mentioned you did some of the GT four stuff,
154
00:05:53.965 --> 00:05:57.285
which is kind of a, a pretty nice stepping stone,
155
00:05:57.305 --> 00:06:00.125
if you will, from a true stock car into a, a car
156
00:06:00.125 --> 00:06:02.325
with downforce and, and an open wheel, a car and stuff.
157
00:06:02.425 --> 00:06:06.085
So what's been the biggest kind of hurdle to overcome?
158
00:06:06.265 --> 00:06:08.965
Is, is so much of your background has been kind of in the,
159
00:06:09.145 --> 00:06:11.285
the stock car side, a lot of oval racing stuff.
160
00:06:11.285 --> 00:06:13.645
Like what's been the big learning curve this year?
161
00:06:14.205 --> 00:06:15.365
Honestly, I think the biggest hurdle
162
00:06:15.585 --> 00:06:16.845
for me is the physical side.
163
00:06:16.845 --> 00:06:19.405
Okay. And, and like I've always worked out my whole life.
164
00:06:19.405 --> 00:06:21.845
Yeah. Just because I love it. I enjoy going to the gym.
165
00:06:22.005 --> 00:06:25.445
I enjoy working out and my family obviously trains a lot.
166
00:06:25.505 --> 00:06:27.205
And my brothers and my dad, everybody.
167
00:06:27.365 --> 00:06:29.445
I mean, even my mom, it works out every single day.
168
00:06:29.505 --> 00:06:31.125
And so I always did that,
169
00:06:31.185 --> 00:06:33.045
but I never really trained with a purpose.
170
00:06:33.365 --> 00:06:36.645
'cause I never had to. I've, NASCAR stuff is not physical.
171
00:06:36.705 --> 00:06:38.965
Physic very physical at least. Sure. Yeah.
172
00:06:39.145 --> 00:06:40.885
And so I think if you just work out,
173
00:06:41.065 --> 00:06:42.685
you're in great shape for nascar.
174
00:06:42.755 --> 00:06:44.285
Whereas this stuff, I,
175
00:06:44.485 --> 00:06:46.725
I think I underplayed the lack of power steering.
176
00:06:46.985 --> 00:06:51.245
Mm. So much that I was like, it was a big eyeopener for me
177
00:06:51.245 --> 00:06:52.565
and like still is to this day.
178
00:06:52.625 --> 00:06:55.685
So we've made a lot of changes to the car to help with that.
179
00:06:55.745 --> 00:06:57.725
But obviously you lose some
180
00:06:57.725 --> 00:06:59.445
of the ability in the car when you do that
181
00:06:59.765 --> 00:07:00.885
'cause you're catering so much to
182
00:07:00.885 --> 00:07:01.925
just trying to be able to survive.
183
00:07:02.465 --> 00:07:05.565
And so that's where for me, like I feel like I'm, like, I'm
184
00:07:05.565 --> 00:07:08.765
behind in time of training and trying to get stronger
185
00:07:08.865 --> 00:07:11.005
and trying to just build up my strength
186
00:07:11.225 --> 00:07:12.325
for having no power steering.
187
00:07:12.505 --> 00:07:15.525
It is such a big difference when you've come from racing
188
00:07:15.555 --> 00:07:18.085
with power steering to make that transition to not have it.
189
00:07:18.265 --> 00:07:19.925
Do you have any workout tips for Alex
190
00:07:20.025 --> 00:07:21.805
so he can stop being such a weak little bitch?
191
00:07:22.565 --> 00:07:24.085
obviously he's doing way better than me. .
192
00:07:24.985 --> 00:07:28.205
Thanks pal. Um, so what, uh, on the physical side of it,
193
00:07:28.235 --> 00:07:30.525
like what do you find so indie next, you know,
194
00:07:30.525 --> 00:07:33.365
they do all the same types of, of tracks that we do, right?
195
00:07:33.365 --> 00:07:34.885
Mm-hmm . You've got your, your ovals,
196
00:07:34.885 --> 00:07:36.005
your road courses, your street courses.
197
00:07:36.265 --> 00:07:39.525
What's, what's like the hardest type of course for you?
198
00:07:39.945 --> 00:07:41.605
Oh, for sure. Obviously like the,
199
00:07:41.625 --> 00:07:42.925
the road courses are very hard
200
00:07:43.025 --> 00:07:45.245
and like, like Barber was bad for me.
201
00:07:45.315 --> 00:07:47.605
Like physically I'd be like, okay, I'm not
202
00:07:47.605 --> 00:07:49.565
that far off when we get to practice
203
00:07:49.625 --> 00:07:50.925
or qualifying, whatever it is.
204
00:07:50.925 --> 00:07:52.125
Like I'm be okay.
205
00:07:52.125 --> 00:07:54.845
I'm not bad, but like the longevity for me. Sure.
206
00:07:54.845 --> 00:07:56.485
I, I'm dying like
207
00:07:57.135 --> 00:08:00.165
after practice, the second practice I'm back at like the
208
00:08:00.345 --> 00:08:02.965
Airbnb with my hands in like an ice bowl of water.
209
00:08:03.075 --> 00:08:05.485
Just trying to like get some sort of strength back
210
00:08:05.635 --> 00:08:08.645
because I was just like, uh, dying in pain .
211
00:08:08.925 --> 00:08:10.645
And so from just being sore.
212
00:08:10.785 --> 00:08:12.845
So I think tracks like those were hard.
213
00:08:12.985 --> 00:08:17.405
Um, I don't think St Pete, I was like in enough of a rhythm
214
00:08:17.825 --> 00:08:19.285
to like, for it to be hard yet some
215
00:08:19.285 --> 00:08:20.285
Kind.
216
00:08:20.285 --> 00:08:21.045
Because that would've been your very first like street
217
00:08:21.045 --> 00:08:22.365
course race you've ever done, right? Yes.
218
00:08:22.435 --> 00:08:24.485
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ever. I never did one
219
00:08:24.485 --> 00:08:25.605
on the NASCAR side.
220
00:08:25.605 --> 00:08:28.005
Yeah. I didn't do Chicago or any of those race. Yeah. So,
221
00:08:28.105 --> 00:08:30.405
And do you, do you enjoy, do you enjoy that type of track?
222
00:08:31.325 --> 00:08:32.685
I think I actually St Pete,
223
00:08:32.845 --> 00:08:34.765
I didn't mind it a whole lot physically though.
224
00:08:34.865 --> 00:08:36.085
It was definitely hard.
225
00:08:36.145 --> 00:08:39.605
And I, for me, I don't like the, I'm not the biggest fan
226
00:08:39.605 --> 00:08:41.165
of not being able to like, push yourself
227
00:08:41.585 --> 00:08:44.445
and make a mistake in rebound from it.
228
00:08:44.945 --> 00:08:46.445
And so that was one place it's
229
00:08:46.445 --> 00:08:47.445
Very hard to learn.
230
00:08:47.445 --> 00:08:49.805
Yeah. Like I'm like, I have to drive at 90%
231
00:08:50.045 --> 00:08:52.405
'cause like, there's no way I can destroy this car right
232
00:08:52.405 --> 00:08:53.445
now trying to figure it out.
233
00:08:53.475 --> 00:08:56.045
Like, and so I was just trying to get through that one.
234
00:08:56.065 --> 00:08:57.845
But like Detroit ended up getting,
235
00:08:57.845 --> 00:09:00.005
there was a massive pile up that clogged everything up
236
00:09:00.305 --> 00:09:03.525
and ended up getting damage at Detroit on lap one.
237
00:09:03.665 --> 00:09:06.285
And so I was, it was that race was kind of whatever.
238
00:09:06.285 --> 00:09:07.885
So like I feel like I haven't really got, now
239
00:09:07.885 --> 00:09:09.165
that I have a little bit of experience,
240
00:09:09.515 --> 00:09:11.085
like a true street course,
241
00:09:11.445 --> 00:09:12.685
I would like to do it again if I could .
242
00:09:13.335 --> 00:09:16.005
Understood. So let's talk about that.
243
00:09:16.105 --> 00:09:18.765
So obviously you mentioned your, your connection with Ford,
244
00:09:18.765 --> 00:09:21.005
which has been going on for, for a couple of years now.
245
00:09:21.425 --> 00:09:24.525
Um, you're, you're a monster athlete, so you know, a lot of,
246
00:09:25.325 --> 00:09:28.125
a lot of, you know, name brand recognition attached to,
247
00:09:28.225 --> 00:09:29.725
to your name kind of by yourself, right?
248
00:09:29.785 --> 00:09:32.405
You know, obviously being a DE's great, but,
249
00:09:32.465 --> 00:09:33.765
but you've made a name for yourself.
250
00:09:34.035 --> 00:09:38.085
What, what do you envision, um, your path is going forward?
251
00:09:38.145 --> 00:09:39.725
Or is it, or is it, you know, we're in August,
252
00:09:39.795 --> 00:09:41.325
it's a little bit too early to tell,
253
00:09:41.385 --> 00:09:43.405
but like, if you don't have that, what would your,
254
00:09:43.475 --> 00:09:44.645
your dream scenario be?
255
00:09:44.785 --> 00:09:48.165
Oh man, it's, it's hard to say because I, I'll go
256
00:09:48.165 --> 00:09:51.005
and race whatever, like if an opportunity rose back on the
257
00:09:51.005 --> 00:09:52.365
NASCAR side, I would take that.
258
00:09:52.365 --> 00:09:55.205
Like I, I will do pretty much anything.
259
00:09:55.405 --> 00:09:57.045
I just wanna race, I love racing.
260
00:09:57.585 --> 00:10:01.005
And then also it is hard like with it being in August
261
00:10:01.545 --> 00:10:04.205
to say like, because most sponsors don't even have their
262
00:10:04.205 --> 00:10:05.645
budget set, they're just talking about
263
00:10:05.645 --> 00:10:06.765
budgets for the next year.
264
00:10:06.785 --> 00:10:09.165
And so to be able to say like, Hey guys,
265
00:10:09.465 --> 00:10:11.045
can you approve my deal for next year? ,
266
00:10:11.595 --> 00:10:13.245
it's just so early for companies.
267
00:10:13.385 --> 00:10:15.325
And that's also something that is hard though
268
00:10:15.325 --> 00:10:17.765
because like testing with teams and stuff starts so early
269
00:10:18.385 --> 00:10:20.325
and so it's like October, I'm like,
270
00:10:20.325 --> 00:10:21.685
my deal ain't even done yet.
271
00:10:21.685 --> 00:10:25.165
Like . And so it is kind of weird the timing of everything,
272
00:10:25.665 --> 00:10:27.605
how it happens because when you do have
273
00:10:27.845 --> 00:10:30.565
to bring sponsor money, it's, it makes it very difficult.
274
00:10:30.765 --> 00:10:31.925
'cause these sponsors
275
00:10:31.925 --> 00:10:33.685
and these companies can't fork up
276
00:10:33.685 --> 00:10:34.805
that type of money in January.
277
00:10:38.905 --> 00:10:40.845
But you also, at the same time, like you said,
278
00:10:40.845 --> 00:10:42.365
you don't want to be behind the eight ball to guys
279
00:10:42.365 --> 00:10:44.245
that have a budget and do start testing.
280
00:10:44.395 --> 00:10:46.205
Yeah. I mean it's, it's the,
281
00:10:46.315 --> 00:10:47.525
it's the worst part of our sport.
282
00:10:47.545 --> 00:10:49.245
You know, we've talked a lot about it on the show.
283
00:10:49.385 --> 00:10:51.645
You know, how much money ultimately is,
284
00:10:51.745 --> 00:10:53.525
is the deciding factor for so many people,
285
00:10:53.665 --> 00:10:55.045
and it shouldn't be like that.
286
00:10:55.185 --> 00:10:57.485
Mm-hmm. It's, it's something that, that we all have to deal
287
00:10:57.485 --> 00:10:58.485
with at some time or another.
288
00:10:58.595 --> 00:11:01.205
Okay. So let's, let's take a couple steps back.
289
00:11:01.625 --> 00:11:05.725
Um, I'm always super curious about kind of the,
290
00:11:05.825 --> 00:11:09.765
the relationship that exists between a parent athlete
291
00:11:10.105 --> 00:11:12.165
and a child athlete and, and,
292
00:11:12.185 --> 00:11:13.605
and talk us through like kind of
293
00:11:13.605 --> 00:11:15.205
how you've managed that with your dad.
294
00:11:15.485 --> 00:11:17.485
'cause you know, my, my father, um,
295
00:11:17.745 --> 00:11:18.965
wasn't a race car driver,
296
00:11:18.965 --> 00:11:20.925
but he's been my manager kind of since day one.
297
00:11:21.145 --> 00:11:23.085
And so through the 20 plus years
298
00:11:23.085 --> 00:11:25.205
that we've been on this journey, you know, you have
299
00:11:25.205 --> 00:11:29.285
that sometimes it's hard to separate the, the business guy
300
00:11:29.465 --> 00:11:30.605
and then the dad guy.
301
00:11:31.105 --> 00:11:34.565
But I imagine that's even more convoluted when it's someone
302
00:11:34.625 --> 00:11:37.005
who like has an opinion because they've done it.
303
00:11:37.025 --> 00:11:38.605
Mm-hmm . So walk us through how you guys,
304
00:11:38.705 --> 00:11:40.165
how you guys do that so successfully.
305
00:11:40.315 --> 00:11:42.685
Yeah, I think growing up it was really funny
306
00:11:42.685 --> 00:11:44.885
because we were all so competitive growing up.
307
00:11:44.885 --> 00:11:48.125
Like me and my little brother Hayden were so competitive.
308
00:11:48.145 --> 00:11:51.205
It was always, and even between my dad, like it was,
309
00:11:51.225 --> 00:11:54.245
we had this kind of like bar counter at our house growing up
310
00:11:54.245 --> 00:11:57.045
in California and it was like whoever has won the last race
311
00:11:57.045 --> 00:11:58.125
gets their trophy up there.
312
00:11:58.155 --> 00:12:00.325
Yeah. And so it was like we were constantly kicking
313
00:12:00.325 --> 00:12:01.445
each other off the bar counter.
314
00:12:01.475 --> 00:12:03.685
That was like a big deal. And like, we had a part
315
00:12:03.685 --> 00:12:05.085
of the house, there was a whole room in the house just
316
00:12:05.085 --> 00:12:07.805
for like our trophies and it was like a constant like,
317
00:12:07.805 --> 00:12:10.125
oh my trophy's up this week on the bar counter type of deal.
318
00:12:10.185 --> 00:12:12.045
And it was like between literally my little
319
00:12:12.045 --> 00:12:13.245
brother, me and my dad.
320
00:12:13.585 --> 00:12:15.885
And so I think we all were, we're kind
321
00:12:15.885 --> 00:12:17.565
of on the same, like, we loved it.
322
00:12:17.565 --> 00:12:18.685
And like that's how we kind of,
323
00:12:18.725 --> 00:12:19.925
I feel like our relationship is
324
00:12:19.925 --> 00:12:21.445
so strong is because of racing.
325
00:12:22.145 --> 00:12:24.205
And so like, like I couldn't imagine if I did like,
326
00:12:24.205 --> 00:12:26.725
because I did whatever, say I went to college
327
00:12:26.825 --> 00:12:28.245
for volleyball, whatever it is.
328
00:12:28.245 --> 00:12:30.005
Yeah. Like, I couldn't imagine trying to talk
329
00:12:30.245 --> 00:12:32.045
to my dad about that because like, I feel like so much
330
00:12:32.045 --> 00:12:33.845
of our relationship has been built off racing
331
00:12:33.905 --> 00:12:35.285
and our experiences in racing.
332
00:12:35.985 --> 00:12:39.365
And so I think that it's made us very, very close
333
00:12:39.425 --> 00:12:41.045
and very strong on that side.
334
00:12:41.065 --> 00:12:44.165
But like, I think we're all, our mentality is all the same.
335
00:12:44.165 --> 00:12:48.925
Like, I'm very tomboy mentality, aggressive personality.
336
00:12:49.075 --> 00:12:52.445
Like I'm not Miss Princess girl. Sure.
337
00:12:52.445 --> 00:12:53.725
Like I just, I don't talk like that.
338
00:12:53.725 --> 00:12:55.125
I talk like one of the guys like Yeah.
339
00:12:55.185 --> 00:12:56.765
And I think that's why I'm able to get along
340
00:12:56.765 --> 00:12:58.125
with crew guys also so Well,
341
00:12:58.545 --> 00:13:01.365
and so like a lot of the crew guys, it's pretty funny.
342
00:13:01.365 --> 00:13:02.485
Like when I go to a new team
343
00:13:02.505 --> 00:13:03.725
or somewhere, they're like, okay,
344
00:13:03.725 --> 00:13:05.125
like we don't know what we can say around here.
345
00:13:05.125 --> 00:13:08.285
We don't know if she's gonna be like offended about this
346
00:13:08.305 --> 00:13:09.845
or that and like, whatever.
347
00:13:09.905 --> 00:13:12.125
And like immediately me and my crew guys always click
348
00:13:12.125 --> 00:13:13.965
and they're like, wow, we didn't expect you to be like this.
349
00:13:14.025 --> 00:13:15.405
I'm like, what'd you guys expect me to be? Like, .
350
00:13:15.865 --> 00:13:20.005
And so I think that I just, I, I see myself
351
00:13:20.005 --> 00:13:21.405
as pretty much the same as everyone else.
352
00:13:21.505 --> 00:13:24.925
And I think coming from family to raise teams, whatever
353
00:13:24.925 --> 00:13:26.885
that is like, and I can kind of,
354
00:13:27.205 --> 00:13:28.525
I feel like my personality gets along
355
00:13:28.525 --> 00:13:29.805
with a lot, a different type of people.
356
00:13:30.405 --> 00:13:32.965
I mean that's awesome because it's, it's always,
357
00:13:33.835 --> 00:13:36.285
it's always cool when you hear that answer versus like,
358
00:13:36.285 --> 00:13:38.525
oh yeah, it's, it's, you know, I I feel like I kind
359
00:13:38.525 --> 00:13:39.685
of lost a parent through the process
360
00:13:40.005 --> 00:13:41.365
'cause there was so much pressure and stress mm-hmm .
361
00:13:41.445 --> 00:13:44.125
So it's, it's nice that that family dynamic, especially
362
00:13:44.125 --> 00:13:45.845
with your brother and, and your mom as well has,
363
00:13:45.865 --> 00:13:47.285
has stayed intact through all this.
364
00:13:47.825 --> 00:13:49.885
Um, because for sure it's not always easy, right?
365
00:13:49.885 --> 00:13:51.085
There's always mm-hmm .
366
00:13:51.205 --> 00:13:52.605
A lot of, of stress and,
367
00:13:52.665 --> 00:13:54.245
and uncertainties that come with it.
368
00:13:54.425 --> 00:13:58.565
So you mentioned a little bit about getting along so well
369
00:13:58.565 --> 00:14:00.325
with, with crew members and people you compete against
370
00:14:00.895 --> 00:14:02.445
being a woman in the sport.
371
00:14:02.505 --> 00:14:05.085
You know, we've talked to, to Catherine, um,
372
00:14:05.425 --> 00:14:07.085
leg quite a few times on this show
373
00:14:07.945 --> 00:14:12.605
and she always kind of struggled to grapple with, okay,
374
00:14:12.665 --> 00:14:15.685
do I want, do I want to not bring attention to that
375
00:14:16.145 --> 00:14:18.005
or do I want to bring attention to that?
376
00:14:18.105 --> 00:14:20.765
And, and, you know, have somewhat of a leg up in terms
377
00:14:21.045 --> 00:14:23.765
of getting potential partnership deals and, and brand deals
378
00:14:23.825 --> 00:14:25.685
and, and endorsement deals and that sort of thing.
379
00:14:26.345 --> 00:14:28.285
And it, I imagine it's, it's quite a,
380
00:14:28.525 --> 00:14:29.805
a fine line to walk, right?
381
00:14:29.805 --> 00:14:32.805
Because you want to be viewed as, as one of the guys
382
00:14:32.805 --> 00:14:34.365
and you just wanna be viewed as another competitor,
383
00:14:34.465 --> 00:14:37.005
but at the same time you've got some leverage
384
00:14:37.005 --> 00:14:38.045
that the others don't have.
385
00:14:38.145 --> 00:14:41.005
Mm-hmm . Has that been difficult to kind of find your way?
386
00:14:41.785 --> 00:14:43.725
Or has it been pretty, pretty seamless?
387
00:14:44.245 --> 00:14:46.325
I mean, and like there is certain, like,
388
00:14:46.545 --> 00:14:48.525
and I feel like when you talk about this type thing,
389
00:14:48.625 --> 00:14:50.725
in my eyes, how I see it is like, okay, partnering
390
00:14:50.725 --> 00:14:53.005
with certain brands, stuff that aligns with your image
391
00:14:53.545 --> 00:14:56.405
and who you wanna portray yourself versus just like
392
00:14:56.405 --> 00:14:58.085
accepting every deal that comes your way.
393
00:14:58.745 --> 00:15:00.205
And so, uh, for me,
394
00:15:00.545 --> 00:15:02.605
I'm super big on like, I won't work with people.
395
00:15:02.675 --> 00:15:03.925
I've turned down quite a few deals
396
00:15:03.925 --> 00:15:05.525
because it just doesn't align
397
00:15:05.995 --> 00:15:07.925
with either I don't like the brand,
398
00:15:08.125 --> 00:15:09.565
I know I won't use a product
399
00:15:10.185 --> 00:15:13.005
or it's something that like, I'm like, that is not me.
400
00:15:13.285 --> 00:15:15.365
I do not wanna be associated with that whatsoever.
401
00:15:15.985 --> 00:15:18.125
And so I think there's a lot of that that does happen.
402
00:15:18.275 --> 00:15:20.365
It's always the ones that like you do not wanna be
403
00:15:20.365 --> 00:15:22.085
associated with looks bad, like
404
00:15:22.115 --> 00:15:24.005
with your image that wanna pay the most.
405
00:15:24.595 --> 00:15:26.165
It's always, always.
406
00:15:26.785 --> 00:15:30.125
And so I think when it comes to that side of things, it,
407
00:15:30.355 --> 00:15:31.925
I've tried to stay true to myself.
408
00:15:31.955 --> 00:15:34.325
Like I'm so thankful that like the deals I do have
409
00:15:34.325 --> 00:15:36.005
with Monster, like I'm a caffeine addict,
410
00:15:36.195 --> 00:15:37.605
like start to finish.
411
00:15:37.805 --> 00:15:39.245
I drink at least one energy,
412
00:15:39.245 --> 00:15:40.805
you drink a day, everyone always asks me.
413
00:15:40.805 --> 00:15:42.125
They're like, oh, it's water in your can.
414
00:15:42.265 --> 00:15:43.765
So I guess there's like a stigma talking about that.
415
00:15:43.765 --> 00:15:45.205
I'm like, no, it's not like, no. Yeah.
416
00:15:45.305 --> 00:15:46.845
I'm like, when you see me walking to the grid
417
00:15:46.845 --> 00:15:49.045
with like a white monster, the monster ultra in my hands,
418
00:15:49.045 --> 00:15:50.285
like I'm genuinely drinking it.
419
00:15:50.385 --> 00:15:53.325
And so I think when it's working with brands like that,
420
00:15:53.395 --> 00:15:56.245
like my dream car when I turned 16, I,
421
00:15:56.445 --> 00:15:58.125
I wanted a Ford Raptor, like,
422
00:15:58.225 --> 00:15:59.605
and there's so many different things.
423
00:15:59.805 --> 00:16:01.685
I love cooking. I cook everything from scratch.
424
00:16:01.945 --> 00:16:03.285
And so having a partner from
425
00:16:03.545 --> 00:16:05.885
that's like pit boss grills that I have.
426
00:16:06.035 --> 00:16:09.365
Amazing. And so I, I try to align myself with brands
427
00:16:09.365 --> 00:16:11.485
that are going to, that are going
428
00:16:11.485 --> 00:16:14.045
to truly portray me and I'm gonna use a product.
429
00:16:14.205 --> 00:16:15.445
I won't do it if I'm not gonna use it.
430
00:16:15.475 --> 00:16:16.765
Amazing. That's good to hear.
431
00:16:17.115 --> 00:16:19.365
Yeah. ,
There's, there's been a lot
432
00:16:19.365 --> 00:16:22.445
with drivers on social media over the last, you know, decade
433
00:16:22.625 --> 00:16:25.205
or so, as, as drivers figure out that they need
434
00:16:25.205 --> 00:16:27.205
to use social media to reach fans
435
00:16:27.305 --> 00:16:29.365
and to, to have a presence for sponsors.
436
00:16:29.565 --> 00:16:30.725
I mean now you have kind
437
00:16:30.725 --> 00:16:34.005
of a pushback like Joseph Newgarden unfollowing everybody on
438
00:16:34.005 --> 00:16:36.005
social media or some drivers getting trouble,
439
00:16:36.005 --> 00:16:37.885
including his wife for liking stuff, including his wife.
440
00:16:37.885 --> 00:16:40.285
He had to actively unfollow his wife. Wild. Yeah.
441
00:16:40.585 --> 00:16:43.645
Um, I don't know if she was still pregnant at the time
442
00:16:43.705 --> 00:16:45.365
or if that was after the baby was born,
443
00:16:45.365 --> 00:16:46.525
but it's a wild move.
444
00:16:47.225 --> 00:16:51.085
Um, but you, you like have taken to social media
445
00:16:51.725 --> 00:16:52.805
seemingly really naturally
446
00:16:52.865 --> 00:16:54.965
and have a, like a large following and,
447
00:16:54.985 --> 00:16:56.685
and are able to stay in touch with fans.
448
00:16:57.145 --> 00:17:00.165
So how, how do you balance, you know, putting
449
00:17:00.195 --> 00:17:02.445
that out while also focusing on the craft?
450
00:17:02.465 --> 00:17:04.165
Or is that just second nature at this point?
451
00:17:04.525 --> 00:17:07.485
I mean, I think, and I, I truly like, I think my dad
452
00:17:07.505 --> 00:17:09.925
for this side of things, 'cause like my dad was popular
453
00:17:10.425 --> 00:17:12.845
and like back on the marketing side
454
00:17:13.145 --> 00:17:14.325
before there was social media.
455
00:17:14.465 --> 00:17:16.005
Now marketing is so easy,
456
00:17:16.035 --> 00:17:17.645
it's like at everyone's fingertips.
457
00:17:17.645 --> 00:17:19.445
But like back in my dad's day, it was hard.
458
00:17:19.475 --> 00:17:22.485
Like, like you had tv like
459
00:17:22.625 --> 00:17:24.325
and just the presence of you being around.
460
00:17:24.465 --> 00:17:27.365
And he like made this massive fan base
461
00:17:27.795 --> 00:17:29.525
that supported his clothing brand
462
00:17:29.525 --> 00:17:31.285
and a massive clothing brand, um,
463
00:17:31.285 --> 00:17:32.765
with Metal Musha back in the day.
464
00:17:32.795 --> 00:17:34.605
Like it did amazing.
465
00:17:34.785 --> 00:17:38.445
It was in Macy's, Dillard's, um, Tillies,
466
00:17:38.445 --> 00:17:41.565
like all these places that he was able to do
467
00:17:41.565 --> 00:17:42.685
that off his marketing
468
00:17:42.685 --> 00:17:45.005
and his like tactics with that without social media.
469
00:17:45.225 --> 00:17:46.485
Now it is just like, nope.
470
00:17:46.565 --> 00:17:48.045
I post on social media and I get views
471
00:17:48.045 --> 00:17:49.045
or go viral, whatever, whatever.
472
00:17:49.045 --> 00:17:51.605
And people are like, oh, you're a mastermind in marketing.
473
00:17:51.635 --> 00:17:53.605
It's like, no, it's just at your fingertips now.
474
00:17:53.605 --> 00:17:56.685
And so I truly thank my dad for that side of things
475
00:17:56.685 --> 00:17:58.845
because he is so knowledgeable on that side.
476
00:17:58.945 --> 00:18:01.605
And uh, when it comes to posting on social media,
477
00:18:01.635 --> 00:18:03.965
like I've always just been super real and myself
478
00:18:04.065 --> 00:18:05.565
and it's done well.
479
00:18:05.565 --> 00:18:08.445
And like obviously I have a name because with my dad
480
00:18:08.445 --> 00:18:10.565
and everything that gets me like somewhat of a following.
481
00:18:10.565 --> 00:18:12.485
But I feel like I've started to find my, like,
482
00:18:12.485 --> 00:18:14.605
niches on social media stuff I like posting
483
00:18:14.985 --> 00:18:16.885
and I just like be honest.
484
00:18:17.025 --> 00:18:18.125
And I, it is pretty funny
485
00:18:18.365 --> 00:18:20.965
'cause I feel like I hit the wave on the NASCAR side, like
486
00:18:20.965 --> 00:18:24.125
with my YouTube channel to where like at first when I,
487
00:18:24.665 --> 00:18:28.645
it was me and my, like my fiance now, um, now fiance, um,
488
00:18:28.675 --> 00:18:29.765
back then when we were dating
489
00:18:29.785 --> 00:18:31.645
and stuff, like he, he raced too.
490
00:18:31.645 --> 00:18:33.965
He raced back. We met racing K and n and arca.
491
00:18:34.705 --> 00:18:36.805
And when he stopped racing she was in
492
00:18:36.805 --> 00:18:37.925
the der for diversity deal.
493
00:18:38.065 --> 00:18:39.725
So it was a free program pretty much.
494
00:18:39.945 --> 00:18:41.925
And um, he just went out there and raced.
495
00:18:41.955 --> 00:18:44.085
Well, he didn't have a sponsor might obviously go further,
496
00:18:44.415 --> 00:18:45.845
which you have to have in racing.
497
00:18:46.025 --> 00:18:48.165
And so he was helping me out on the social side
498
00:18:48.625 --> 00:18:50.325
and like, I feel like people kind of made fun
499
00:18:50.325 --> 00:18:52.845
of us in the beginning, like within the garage be
500
00:18:52.845 --> 00:18:55.245
because of me filming like YouTube and doing everything
501
00:18:55.245 --> 00:18:56.565
and having a camera on 24 7.
502
00:18:57.065 --> 00:18:58.285
And then next thing you know,
503
00:18:58.395 --> 00:19:00.085
like it's people texting us like, hey,
504
00:19:00.085 --> 00:19:01.645
when are you guys posting the next YouTube video?
505
00:19:02.025 --> 00:19:04.925
And like, kind of getting on us about it a few years later.
506
00:19:05.025 --> 00:19:07.685
And it's, I was like, it's funny how the tables like turn
507
00:19:07.685 --> 00:19:10.565
with that and now everyone has a YouTube channel in NASCAR
508
00:19:10.665 --> 00:19:13.085
and is posting on that and trying to figure it out
509
00:19:13.105 --> 00:19:15.005
and hey, let's collab, let's do this.
510
00:19:15.005 --> 00:19:17.365
And I'm like, it's funny how things change once you start
511
00:19:17.365 --> 00:19:18.365
seeing like the power of it,
512
00:19:18.865 --> 00:19:21.005
You can like and subscribe to our YouTube
513
00:19:21.005 --> 00:19:22.005
channel.
.
514
00:19:22.665 --> 00:19:25.805
So Tim, so Tim, Tim wrote a children's book, um, .
515
00:19:26.125 --> 00:19:27.325
So he thought it was the marketing
516
00:19:27.325 --> 00:19:28.645
that was the problem on social media.
517
00:19:28.785 --> 00:19:32.125
It turns out it was not . Um, it was just terrible book.
518
00:19:32.125 --> 00:19:33.125
Anyways, ,
519
00:19:34.305 --> 00:19:35.205
I'm sure it was great. I'm serious,
520
00:19:35.205 --> 00:19:37.005
Which you can buy on Amazon. I
521
00:19:37.005 --> 00:19:38.005
Was taken out.
522
00:19:39.465 --> 00:19:41.445
Um, so anyways, that's, uh,
523
00:19:41.465 --> 00:19:42.885
that's all the time we have for now.
524
00:19:43.065 --> 00:19:44.085
We don't wanna take any more of it,
525
00:19:44.145 --> 00:19:46.605
but thank you very much for coming on
526
00:19:46.945 --> 00:19:49.925
and um, you know, we will be following very closely
527
00:19:50.795 --> 00:19:52.885
what you do in the future, um, and,
528
00:19:52.945 --> 00:19:54.725
and we love everything you're doing. So keep it up.
529
00:19:54.895 --> 00:19:56.085
Thank you. I appreciate it.
530
00:19:59.575 --> 00:20:01.625
This has been off track with Hinch and Rossi.
531
00:20:01.805 --> 00:20:04.985
Off Track is part of the SiriusXM Sports Podcast network.
532
00:20:05.405 --> 00:20:06.545
If you enjoyed this episode
533
00:20:06.545 --> 00:20:08.785
and want to hear more, please give a five star
534
00:20:08.785 --> 00:20:09.825
rating and leave a review.
535
00:20:10.425 --> 00:20:12.625
Subscribe today, wherever you stream your podcasts.
536
00:20:12.805 --> 00:20:15.385
We are at Ask Offtrack on Twitter and Instagram.
537
00:20:15.565 --> 00:20:18.465
And if you wanna follow us on Twitter, we're at Hinch Town
538
00:20:18.465 --> 00:20:19.825
and at Alexander Rossi.
539
00:20:20.045 --> 00:20:21.545
If you wanna follow them though,
540
00:20:21.545 --> 00:20:23.225
we have no idea why you would.
541
00:20:23.655 --> 00:20:25.945
He's at the Tim Durham on Twitter.
542
00:20:26.495 --> 00:20:28.465
Find us on YouTube and subscribe to our channel
543
00:20:28.525 --> 00:20:29.705
for exclusive video content.
544
00:20:30.205 --> 00:20:32.985
Off Track is produced by Tim Durham, and by that we mean fi.