Fame and following had never been higher for that of Haiden Deegan, and rightfully so; as the rookie was had made quite the impression on the industry in the rounds prior to Detroit, for the 2023 250cc East Coast Championship. But many enthusiasts of the sport knew that the number 238 was just getting started, and after an astounding run in practice within Ford Field, it was Deegan who eyed victory lane for his heat race, as well. He would take the green flag with swagger and self-belief, knowing that he could run alongside teammate Jordon Smith as the number fifty-eight moved into second. However after two laps of leading, the action between the two Yamaha riders would become eerily close; just after the whoop section, when Deegan drifted a bit wide into the adjacent right-handed berm. Contact would be made, and a game of serious, cat-and-mouse would ensue in the switchbacks that followed. Brake checks, bar-banging, and look-backs would precede a climactic interlocking of motorcycles that sent Smith to the ground in the turn before the “SX” double, shortly thereafter! Deegan would be forced to roll his way through the section, granting Jeremy Martin the lead with six laps remaining. Regaining his composure immediately thereafter, Deegan would eventually finish the race in a runner-up designation, looking forward to carrying his momentum into the main event. Once here, he would nearly steal the lead from Hunter Lawrence in the first corner, with tight-knit action pushing him to fourth by the time he and his fellow leaders jumped past the green flag. Deegan was on a mission, just behind Nate Thrasher and Jeremy Martin, following his two elders as laps then progressed shortly thereafter. Deegan would steadily gain on the number six, who descended to third; which led to a climatic pass being made, before the last rhythm lane (prior to the finish line) with just over five minutes to go on the clock! Deegan had pushed Martin wide, to the point that Jeremy couldn’t counter, which sealed third-place for the Star Racing Yamaha rookie! The memo was then to focus and eliminate mistakes, especially with an ever-changing track that forced many in the field to slow their pace as the checkered flag neared. But Deegan was having none of that, and maintained an impeccable flow to the conclusion of lap seventeen; where a podium performance, via third, when be obtained!