FONTANA, Calif. – iK9, a leader in canine security services and training, will support Hailie Deegan in her six-race campaign in the ARCA Menards Series.
The company will serve as Deegan’s primary sponsor during the May 31 General Tire #AnywhereIsPossible 200 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., and will be an associate sponsor at the five other ARCA races.
The 17-year-old racer from Temecula, Calif., will make her ARCA debut May 19 at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway in a Toyota Camry fielded by Venturini Motorsports. Deegan will then race at Pocono before competing June 14 at Madison (Wis.) Int’l Speedway, July 13 at Elko (Minn.) Speedway, Oct. 5 at Lucas Oil Raceway in Clermont, Ind., and Oct. 18 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan.
Deegan is also racing full-time in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and part-time in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. iK9 will also serve as Deegan’s primary sponsor for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway on April 6.
“We think Hailie is an exceptional talent who has proven to be an up-and-coming leader in the racing world,” said Landon Ash, founder of Xtreme Concepts, the parent company of iK9. “Motorsports is a powerful marketing platform and this partnership with Hailie is great for the sport, but also for iK9 and Xtreme Concepts as we reinforce our commitment to NASCAR and the development of its future stars. Hailie is a strong personality who strengthens our existing lineup of Jeffrey Earnhardt, Kyle Busch and Brandon Jones. They’re all specialized athletes who align very well with iK9, as we provide the skills and support necessary for our clients to care for their highly specialized dogs.”
Deegan became the first female to win a NASCAR K&N Pro Series race when she took the checkered flag last September at Meridian (Idaho) Speedway. She ended the season as the Pro Series West Rookie of the Year, another female first in any NASCAR regional or national series. Deegan recently added a victory at the Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to her resume on Feb. 28.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to build my NASCAR career and I’m extremely proud to represent iK9 along with Toyota, TRD, Monster Energy and Craftsman,” said Deegan, the only female racer to have won multiple championships in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. “Partnerships are key to earning these kinds of opportunities, and iK9’s mission appeals to who I want to be as a racer and also as a person.”