BEAUMONT, AB – Does marriage change the way one competes in a race car? Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series competitor Dean Deatherage says no. “Yes it’s going to be my first season as a married man,” laughs the driver of Scott Safety #18 Dodge, “however there will be no changes to how I race and yes, Shelly [my wife] will be part of the crew.” Deatherage got married during the off-season down in Mexico. Several NPP Series drivers have quietly stated behind the scenes that 2015 could be a breakout year for Deatherage. Impressive on-track performances the past several seasons backs up this vote of support.

The Beaumont, Alberta driver has finished in the Top 10 in every NPP Series Feature events he’s competed in since August 18th, 2012. Deatherage has an average Feature finish of 6.4 the past three seasons. In his 23 starts in NPP Series competition [since September 6, 2008], Deatherage has 18 Top 10’s and 4 Top 5’s. “I had a soft start to the season last year but I still ended up in the same position [in the standings] as two years ago.” Deatherage finished fourth in the 2013 and 2014 NPP Series Championship points chase. “I’ve definitely thought about things that could have gone better and things that could have gone worse. I was getting upset at stuff out of my control which really threw me off.” Married life just might mellow out Deatherage a little for the 2015 season but maybe not as much as everyone thinks it will. “It’s always a goal to win in this class,” adds Deatherage, “this season I’m going to concentrate more on having fun.” The fun factor adjustment might be the right ingredient needed for the breakout year his fellow competitors believe will take place.

#18 DEAN DEATHERAGE – Beaumont, Alberta
23 Starts
18 Top 10’s
4 Top 5’s
4 Heat wins
1 Pole
0 Feature wins