By Kayla Jardine/Joe Cingrana
On your marks, get set, graduate!
16-year-old rookie driver Hallie Deegan had a big race to prepare for this past weekend, but not before she graduated high school.
Deegan took the stage at the Sonoma Raceway in California not to claim a prize, but to get her diploma -- and then head straight to the track to compete in the regional NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.
Most people cross a stage to receive a high school diploma.
— Sonoma Raceway (@RaceSonoma) June 23, 2018
They just don't do it in a fire suit and immediately hop in a @NASCARHomeTrack race car to race. Congrats @HailieDeegan! 👩🎓#Carneros200 pic.twitter.com/YyQdRT92hW
Graduating wasn't Hallie's only happy memory that day. The speedster also placed third in qualifying and took home seventh overall.
Hallie is one of nine young racers chosen by NASCAR as up-and-comers and she's the only female in the group.
It looks like she's kicking her future into high gear!
