CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – Brian Deegan, the pioneering innovator of Freestyle Motocross and the most decorated Freestyle Motocross rider in X-Games history, is going to bring his brand of over-the-edge racing to the world of stock car racing.  In doing so, Brian brings an entirely new audience – millions of young, insanely loyal Deegan fans who idolize this hard-driving iconic figure.

Deegan announced at Charlotte Motor Speedway that he will be joining the NTS Motorsports driver development program with the objective of moving through the ranks as quickly as possible.  Deegan will become part of a two-car program that NTS fields, along with current SRL driver Brennan Newberry.

Deegan, as usual, was very open about his view of this opportunity, “When NASCAR chairman Brian France told the world that NASCAR ‘is a contact sport … we're going to loosen it up,’ I’m not sure Mr. France knew what he was getting into.  I took that as a personal invitation for guys like me.  I love racing, I love going fast, I love pushing the limit and that’s what I’m going to bring.”

“I have been designated as the General of the Metal Mulisha and so the Metal Mulisha army is going to march on stock cars,” Deegan said.

NTS Motorsports Team Owner Bob Newberry commented, “Brian is a winner and is going to bring the same commitment and passion that took him to the top of Motocross and the X-Games world to our racing program.  We are similarly committed to putting Brian in world class equipment, getting him the seat time to ensure his success, and moving him through our development process.”

Newberry continued, “This will be energized by both new fans and new sponsors that Deegan and Metal Mulisha (Deegan Motocross team, clothing and product line) will attract.  In fact, we have already brought in two exciting new sponsors, MySmokinRide.com, the Facebook of motorsports and race fans, and Fountain Powerboats, the premier powerboat manufacturer in the world.  Both sponsors immediately recognized the opportunity that this team will bring to the world of racing.”

“As we evaluated various sponsorship opportunities and the larger motorsports sector, the biggest challenge was how to break through the clutter,” said Kel Bloomer, CEO of MySmokinRide.com.  “Our association with Deegan and Metal Mulisha is clearly the way to stand-out as a new sponsor.  MySmokinRide.com is designed to give every type of race fan a dynamic environment to interact, so traditional race fans can get to know Deegan’s army and vice versa.”

Reggie Fountain, founder and President of Fountain Powerboats, prides himself on being associated with winners.  "Brian Deegan is a fierce competitor, and that is a valuable commodity," said Fountain.  "Just like the boats that we build to win championships and set records, it takes a level of dedication to settling for nothing less than being the best, and Brian is clearly at the top of his game." 

"One of the greatest challenges any motorsports marketing entity faces is how do you consistently deliver measurable value to all of the parties involved," said Martin Sanborn, Director of North American Operations for Powerboat P1 USA, and the P1 Marketing Alliance.  "By bringing together winning combinations of talent that share common demographics, we can provide opportunities for everyone to achieve their objectives.  Deegan's Metal Mulisha and Fountain Powerboats are the extremes in their respective fields, and we see them as a potent combination with shared resources."

About BRIAN DEEGAN & METAL MULISHA
At a young age, Brian developed a passion for racing. Growing up in a small town in Nebraska, Brian wasn’t into football so instead he rode dirt bikes. He soon realized he had a talent and wanted to pursue his dream. After graduating from High School, he told his father to give him one year and if it didn’t work out then he would come back home and go to college.

With his dreams in front of him and Nebraska in the dust, he headed for California on a credit card, old truck and his dirt bike. Turning pro at age 17, Brian rode his way onto a Supercross Team.  In 1997 at the LA Coliseum, Brian Deegan won the 125cc main and in true rebel fashion, ghost rode his bike across the finish line. This was the beginning of what we know today as Freestyle Motocross (FMX).

Brian Deegan founded a group called the Metal Mulisha and despite numerous broken bones and almost dying 3 separate times, went on to win 10 X-Games medals.  In his most recent near-death experience, Brian lost a kidney and severely injured his spleen while filming for MTV’s Viva La Bam.  Today FMX is recognized across the world as one of the premiere events in X-Games.

Brian formed the Rockstar Energy/Metal Mulisha/Lucas Oil short course off-road truck racing team which Brian won the championship in 2009 and already has earned him two wins in 2010

For more information about Brian Deegan and Metal Mulisha, please contact Kristen Schaus at 239-272-5659/Kristen@shpny.com or Cristina Dennstedt at 407-754-8946/Cristina@shpny.com from Sarah Hall Productions.

About MYSMOKINRIDE.COM
MySmokinRide.com provides a social networking site designed specifically for global motoring enthusiasts.  Launched in January of 2010, MSR currently has thousands of members around the globe and continues to grow daily. Unlike other networking sites that share their space with a wide variety of interest groups, MSR is dedicated exclusively to race fans, car and motorcycle enthusiasts or virtually anyone interested in motoring in any form.

Open to everyone, MySmokinRide.com allows members to upload photos, share information, socialize, create special groups and forums within the site and custom design their home page, referred to as their “garage”.  The simple-to-use site is obviously designed with motor sports enthusiasts in mind.  Basic membership is free.  To learn more about the site and to see it in action, please visit www.mysmokinride.com or contact Theresa Leahy at 561-366-7503/Theresa@mysmokinride.com.

About FOUNTAIN POWERBOATS & P1 POWERBOAT MARKETING ALLIANCE
Reggie Fountain launched Fountain Powerboats with the single minded goal of building the fastest, smoothest, safest, best-handling and most dependable boats on the water.

The Fountain Powerboats product line includes Performance Boats, Fishing Boats and Express Cruisers all of which combine the latest in marine technology to deliver high speeds, fuel efficiency and the finest interiors and layout designs in the industry.

Year after year, Fountain earns top accolades from the marine press, including 29 awards to date from Powerboat Magazine for product excellence.  Last year the newly designed 47 Lightning won Powerboat Magazine’s “Offshore Boat Of the Year” and the 48 Express Cruiser won Boating Magazine’s “Boat of the Year” and the Robb Report’s “Best of the Best”.

Founded and led by its Chariman, Asif Rangoonwala, the Powerboat P1 and the Powerboat P1 Marketing Alliance is a global organization that works with manufacturers like Fountain, major series and sanctioning bodies, powerboat racing events, marinas and boat dealers to promote the sport of powerboat racing and create marketing partnerships.  For more information about Fountain Powerboats and the Powerboat P1 Marketing Alliance, please contact Martin Sanborn with the P1 Marketing Alliance 252-258-4557/msanborn@LTTmotorsports.com.

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