🤩 Supercross Star Haiden Deegan Admits Obsession with Passing His Idol During FIM World Championship
The Deegan family is celebrating a monumental achievement for rising Supercross talent Haiden Deegan, who fulfilled a lifelong dream by passing his hero, veteran champion Eli Tomac, during the final race of the recent FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) round in Australia. The moment, a clear passing of the torch in the motocross world, has generated an electric reaction across the motorsports community, led by his sister, NASCAR driver Hailie Deegan.
In a post-race interview, the young Haiden Deegan candidly described his exhilaration, admitting the gravity of the achievement almost overwhelmed him. “I’m just going to say this, I was battling Eli Tomac and I was just like a little kid—I was in shock the whole time! I was going ‘I just passed Eli Tomac! I just passed Eli Tomac!’ I was trippin’ the whole time, that was bad ass!”
The Weight of the Overtake
This emotional reaction underscores the immense respect Deegan holds for Tomac, who is one of the most successful and decorated riders in the history of AMA Supercross and Motocross. For Deegan, an athlete who idolized Tomac growing up and even trained alongside him at times, the overtake was the equivalent of a junior baseball player striking out Babe Ruth.
While the WSL round results were significant for Deegan’s career, the psychological victory of besting his mentor is arguably more important for his long-term confidence as he continues his transition into the top tier of 450cc racing.
Haiden’s Historic Year
The WSX heroics cap off what has been a truly historic and dominant year for the young racer, demonstrating his successful move from the 250cc class to racing head-to-head with 450cc giants.
Before heading to Australia, Haiden Deegan had already stamped his authority on the AMA Supercross and Motocross circuits. He notably:
* Swept the Ironman National, proving his endurance and technical skill in the outdoor environment.
* Won the AMA Supercross and Motocross championships in the highly competitive 250cc class, cementing his status as the heir apparent to the sport’s throne.
The WSX appearance and the successful battle with the likes of Eli Tomac served as crucial development steps, preparing him for a full-time confrontation with the top-tier of SuperMotocross and 450cc racing in the future.
Sisterly Pride: The Deegan Dynasty
Meanwhile, his older sister and fellow motorsports athlete, Hailie Deegan, is publicly sharing her pride in her brother’s success. As a rising star in NASCAR, Hailie understands the mental battle required to overcome a hero. The Deegan family, led by patriarch and Motocross legend Brian Deegan, represents a unique, multi-disciplinary racing dynasty built on aggressive talent and relentless work ethic.
Haiden Deegan’s “wide-eyed and exhilarated” moment is a defining highlight of the FIM World Supercross Championship season and signals that the future of American motocross is now firmly in the hands of the young champion.