Preview : ARCA Menards Round 2 at Phoenix

SIMONE PASSARELLO

Mar 4, 20202 min read

Stockcar upcoming star Hailie Deegan is ready to take on Phoenix Raceway after the historical second place at Daytona in her full-schedule ARCA Menards Series debut.

The ARCA Menards Series is set to make its return to the racetrack after last month's Daytona season opener, as the General Tire 150 event will get underway at Phoenix Raceway on Friday night.

After the strong performance in the first round, where Hailie Deegan took home a second place and equalled the best finish for a woman in the world-famous oval racetrack, the 18-year old lady will be back behind the wheel of the DGR-Crosley Ford machine in a friendly track.

At the highly-anticipated Daytona debut, the young racing star confirmed and justified the hype for her NASCAR climb with a remarkable run, completing the 200 miles race at Daytona always within the top-ten positions: Deegan was incredibly close to the big goal in the last few laps and concluded only behind the race-winner Micheal Self.

Last year, the Californian competed as a part-time entry in some ARCA Menards Series events, including the Phoenix round, where she was able to cross the finish line in fourth place after a stunning comeback from the initial seventeenth starting position.

"Phoenix is really fun. I'd say the restarts are the most fun." - commented Deegan.

"You can be four-wide going into turn two and it gets sketchy sometimes. It's a place where a driver can make up for what the car is doing and kind of technique it a little bit."

Deegan's #4 Ford car will feature a special livery, thanks to the agreement with a new sponsor. Toter, the pricipal provider of waste and recycling carts to waste haulers and municipalites in the North American territory will join the DGR-Crosley team Ford car for the upcoming Phoenix round, as well as the May event in Charlotte.

"I'm excited to go back there with a good Toter Ford Fusion, a good setup and a good team. Hopefully all that leads to a good finish." - she added.

Deegan, like for the opening round at the Lucas Oil 200, won't be the only woman on track, as Gracie Trotter will also enter the second race of the ARCA Menards campaign.

18-year old Trotter, a third generation racer, will drive the #99 Bill McAnally Racing Toyota after finishing 16th in the first round of the East Series at New Smyrna in February. She later claimed a 4th place at the Las Vegas event in the West Series, after a very strong performance.

Gracie comes to the ARCA championship after three seasons in the Super Late Model championship.

The General Tire 150 schedule will see the drivers hitting the track at 12:00 p.m. ET time for the Final Practice session, followed by the Qualifying session at 4:30 p.m.

The race will see the green flag at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday 6th March.