News Director 
Story By: JIM NICHOLS / DEEGAN NICHOLS RACING – VALATIE, NY – Last off-season, Deegan Nichols Racing decided that we were going to make some big changes and race more quality events rather than quantity. Our decision paid off very well.
In 2018 we ran 47 races which was awesome but with our changes we knew we would run less races. Those were going to be of much higher quality which only helps Deegan.
In 2019 we ran 35 races (had 6 rainouts), resulting in 28 top top 5’s, 15 wins, 7 runner-ups and 4 third place finishes. The big difference was the decision to run the Burris Money Series for the state championship in Pennsylvania.
I, without a doubt, underestimated the dedication, work, travel and everything else that this was going to take. With most tracks being four to five hours from home, it was a challenge but boy did we have some of the best times of our lives!
Our primary goal for down there was to learn and prepare for the years to come. A secondary goal was to get a top 5 finish and anything better then that was going to be a bonus. We achieved both as we certainly learned and struggled at times We had many many ups and downs and we ended the last race down there with fifth.
Dodge City Speedway and Weedsport Kartway were both also on our schedule as well with the goals of winning a championship at Dodge. We weren’t really sure what to expect at Weedsport but a championship was in the back of our minds.
Dodge City didn’t exactly go as planned as, after the first week, we were put into an Advanced Box Stock class which I just don’t understand. However, it is what it is. Unfortunately that class just got smaller and smaller and after winning all five of those races, we needed to make a change. Deegan just wasn’t going to learn anything by racing against one kart and winning every week. That’s what the class dwindled down to.
We decided to move him up to the next class which, in turn, meant giving up our big point lead and starting over. Deegan didn’t disappoint.
He ended up being the kart to beat, picking up multiple wins in the Jr 1 Methanol class. If only we started the season in that division.
Weedsport ended up being the track we got our best points finish this season. We finished in second, just two points shy of the championship. We had a great season there, never finishing outside of the top 3 and picking up two wins.
Deeg asked me about the points towards the end and I told him that the only way we had any chance to win the championship was to win the last two races. He went out and did just that!
We needed some luck as well and just didn’t get it. However, we are very happy with the results.
Overall it was a great season for us, as we picked up wins up at Dodge City, Turkey Trot, Weedsport & Paradise! Thanks to all of our sponsors and our great group of friends and family for their amazing support.
As for next year, plans are in the works. Schedules are being decided. Sponsor thank you’s and proposal’s are being worked on and we are in full swing already.
Again, thank you everyone, it was a great season.
