The Lucas Oil Challenge Cup can be more like an MMA match than an off-road race, but Brian Deegan is no stranger to that. After all, there is a lot at stake: Ego; bragging rights for a year; and this time, there was $30,000 up for grabs.

Even more strange is the fact that there are two classes of race trucks tangling with each other in this dash for the cash. The race can quickly turn into a brawl, and it seemed as if drivers at this final champ bout at Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park had taken the gloves off. Things had been pretty exciting from the very start, with lots of door-banging action, but near the end, the competition got really hot. However, Deegan wasn’t the one “throwing punches.”

“I got plowed from behind,” said Deegan, “It wasn’t just a punt; (Pro 4 driver Eric) Barron was pushing me. I was locked on with Barron and he was pushing me all the way off the jump. I got clear, saw a clear track, so I gassed it and went after (Robby) Woods. Barron got by me in Turn 2 on the last lap. I saw Woods leave the bottom open, but he would leave it open then cut down to get a run; that’s Pro 2 style. And Barron barreled in there. He went in there and just punted him (Woods). I weaved through it and got by Woods and made it to the finish in second.”

Brian Deegan signing autographs for fans in the pit area during a break between races.

Those two turns of brutality cost Barron the win. Officials knocked him down from the lead position to ninth place, showing him black flags as he crossed the finish line ahead of Deegan and Woods.

Following Barron across the line, Deegan saw checkers, and was handed the Cup and the big fat check on the podium. We would have loved to have been there to hear Wood’s conversation with Barron after their fisticuffs on the track, but as they say, “that’s racing.” And it probably wouldn’t have been publishable anyway. There’s always next year, and paybacks are a …

For the inside story on the 2013 Lucas Oil Off-Road Race Series Championship Season closer held at Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park stay tuned to Off Road Xtreme!