How a California farmer became an off-road racing champion
Heger, 25, recently won the Dakar Rally, a grueling, nearly 5,000 mile race through the Saudi Arabian desert. He won in just over 59 hours, crediting his endurance to growing up on his family's farm in Southern California's Imperial Valley.
While a tractor's top speed caps around 20 mph, Heger's Polaris RZR vehicle rips through the desert at 118 mph.
"Having the ability to drive a tractor for 20 hours, being able to work long hours, was good preparation," Heger told CBS News transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave.
How Heger became an off-road racing champion
Heger started racing at 6 years old. He won his first championship by 12. He exploded onto the off-road racing scene and has won six consecutive major events.
"I love pressure," he said. "I love trying to do things that, you know, people might think is hard or crazy to do. I've been able to have a really good run in off road racing. And with that comes, you know, nice red target on my back."
In January, he was a last-minute entrant to what could arguably be called the World Cup of off-road racing at the Dakar Rally.
He crossed the finish line on his 25th birthday.
"It was definitely surreal," he said.
Joe Heger, Brock's father, is his son's biggest fan.
"When he was younger, he used to tear a lot of stuff up. I used to tell him, slower, sometimes faster. It makes you more humble, and it makes you take care of your equipment. Teaches you how to respect, wake up everyday, go to work and and enjoy what you do," Jon Heger said.
Sneak peek: Where is Jermain Charlo?
Hegseth orders Navy to rename USNS Harvey Milk, Jeffries calls it "a complete and total disgrace"
FEMA, Trump administration react to sources saying chief did not know U.S. had a hurricane season
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Sarina Wiegman hints Lauren James could start against France for England's Euro 2025 opener
ZURICH (AP) — England's bid to retain its Women's European Championship title has been boosted by one of its star players nearing a return to full fitness. Lauren James, who was a major doubt ahead of Sarina Wiegman's squad selection, played her first match since April when she came on as a 63rd minute substitute in Sunday's pre-tournament friendly — a 7-0 thrashing of Jamaica. And Wiegman said James could even start when the Lionesses kick off their title defense against France on Saturday in Zurich. 'Well, I'm not going to give you the lineup, but she played 30 minutes last week so she can play more than that,' Wiegman said with a smile on Friday. 'I think that's saying enough.' Indeed, against Jamaica, James showed little sign of the hamstring injury that had kept her out since the start of April as she provided a sumptuous assist for Alessia Russo just eight minutes after coming on. 'She's in a good place,' Wiegman said. 'She's ready to get more minutes tomorrow.' The defending champion, which also finished runner-up to Spain in the 2023 World Cup, is one of the favorites at Euro 2025 but England faces more difficulties in Switzerland than it did three years ago on home soil. There has been upheaval in the squad in the buildup and this time around the Lionesses won't have the backing of a fervent home crowd. 'It's new territory,' England captain Leah Williamson said. 'We're not necessarily looking at it as a defense, but a new challenge and a new opportunity to do something new. We take any challenge that comes our way.' England also faces Wiegman's home nation, the Netherlands, in Group D as well as tournament debutant — and neighbor — Wales. ___
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Wiegman: Lauren James could start in England's UEFA Women's Euro 2025 opener
England's bid to retain its UEFA Women's Euro Championship title has been boosted by one of its star players nearing a return to full fitness. Lauren James, who was a major doubt ahead of Sarina Wiegman's squad selection, played her first match since April when she came on as a 63rd minute substitute in Sunday's pre-tournament friendly — a 7-0 thrashing of Jamaica. And Wiegman said James could even start when the Lionesses kick off their title defense against France on Saturday in Zurich. "Well, I'm not going to give you the lineup, but she played 30 minutes last week so she can play more than that," Wiegman said with a smile on Friday. "I think that's saying enough." Indeed, against Jamaica, James showed little sign of the hamstring injury that had kept her out since the start of April as she provided a sumptuous assist for Alessia Russo just eight minutes after coming on. "She's in a good place," Wiegman said. "She's ready to get more minutes tomorrow." The defending champion, which also finished runner-up to Spain in the 2023 World Cup, is one of the favorites at Euro 2025 but England faces more difficulties in Switzerland than it did three years ago on home soil. There has been upheaval in the squad in the buildup and this time around the Lionesses won't have the backing of a fervent home crowd. "It's new territory," England captain Leah Williamson said. "We're not necessarily looking at it as a defense, but a new challenge and a new opportunity to do something new. We take any challenge that comes our way." England also faces Wiegman's home nation, the Netherlands, in Group D as well as tournament debutant — and neighbor — Wales. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! Get more from UEFA Women's EURO Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Sarina Wiegman hints Lauren James could start against France for England's Euro 2025 opener
ZURICH (AP) — England's bid to retain its Women's European Championship title has been boosted by one of its star players nearing a return to full fitness. Lauren James, who was a major doubt ahead of Sarina Wiegman's squad selection, played her first match since April when she came on as a 63rd minute substitute in Sunday's pre-tournament friendly — a 7-0 thrashing of Jamaica. And Wiegman said James could even start when the Lionesses kick off their title defense against France on Saturday in Zurich. 'Well, I'm not going to give you the lineup, but she played 30 minutes last week so she can play more than that,' Wiegman said with a smile on Friday. 'I think that's saying enough.' Indeed, against Jamaica, James showed little sign of the hamstring injury that had kept her out since the start of April as she provided a sumptuous assist for Alessia Russo just eight minutes after coming on. 'She's in a good place,' Wiegman said. 'She's ready to get more minutes tomorrow.' The defending champion, which also finished runner-up to Spain in the 2023 World Cup, is one of the favorites at Euro 2025 but England faces more difficulties in Switzerland than it did three years ago on home soil. There has been upheaval in the squad in the buildup and this time around the Lionesses won't have the backing of a fervent home crowd. 'It's new territory,' England captain Leah Williamson said. 'We're not necessarily looking at it as a defense, but a new challenge and a new opportunity to do something new. We take any challenge that comes our way.' England also faces Wiegman's home nation, the Netherlands, in Group D as well as tournament debutant — and neighbor — Wales. ___ AP soccer:
