Hailie Deegan & NASCAR Insider Mourn After “Uber Debbie” Lost Battle With Lung Cancer

Making her full-time Craftsman Truck Series debut in 2021, Hailie Deegan has been around NASCAR’s stable since 2016. Participating in NASCAR Drive for Diversity, Deegan even won the NASCAR Diversity Young Racer in 2017. Currently driving the #13 Ford F-150 for ThorSport Racing, Hailie Deegan is also competing in Tony Stewart’s Superstar Racing Experience venture driving the #5 car.

Sitting down for an interview on the Rubbin is Racing podcast, Deegan discussed the happenings of the recent Stafford SRX race and also mourned the loss of “Uber Driver Debbie.”

Hailie Deegan and NASCAR insider mourn the passing of “Uber Debbie”

Partnering with NASCAR in 2019, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy rolled into the 2020 Daytona 500 Cup Series race with Large, Spider, and his favorite chauffeur, “Uber Debbie.” Strolling around NASCAR’s garage area, the Barstool crew also took a closer look at NASCAR’s Gen 6 display car. Catching up with NASCAR veteran and now Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson, the crew also had a brief chat with upcoming star Hailie Deegan. With the 61-year-old ‘Uber Debbie’ losing her battle with lung cancer last month, Deegan and Large mourned her passing on the Rubbin is Racing podcast.

During the course of the interview, Large said, “I happened to do a show with her [Hailie Deegan] in Daytona years ago…Spider and I had bumped into you in Richmond when we were down there last week, and I casually mentioned the death of Uber driver Debbie. Uber driver Debbie was on that trip and I just kind of act like everyone knows about it as if it was Michael Jackson’s death. So I said it kind of nonchalantly and I thought that you was somewhat upset by it. Obviously, you know, Rest In Peace Debbie, and whatnot. So, maybe I could have handled that with a little more a plum, this interview is going to go a lot more smooth.”

Replying to Large, Hailie Deegan said, “It’s okay. I mean, I would like to know, especially since I was able to do that show with her and stuff. She was super super nice. So yeah, Rest In Peace Debbie.”

The next ask would be – who was ‘Uber Debbie’ and how did she gain stardom?

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Uber Driver Debbie’s rise to fame

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An Uber driver by profession, Debra Marie Sagnella was better known by the moniker Uber Debbie. Living a normal life, Sagnella’s life would take a turn when Barstool Sports founder and famed pizza reviewer, Dave Portnoy, took a ride in her cab. Suggesting Portnoy to review East Haven’s Minervini’s Pizza, Sagnella quickly turned into Dave Portnoy’s favorite chauffeur. Driven around by Sagnella during most of his ‘One Bite’ review quests, Portnoy even let her conduct a few pizza reviews. With Sagnella’s reviews being loved by Portnoy’s fanbase, she was handed the moniker of ‘Uber Debbie’ for her driving quests with Portnoy. 

Loved by the Barstool crew for her lively personality, Dave Portnoy was saddened by Sagnella’s sudden passing. Paying his respects to his chauffeur, Portnoy posted a video on Twitter writing, “I just found out about the passing of Uber Debbie.  There are very few people you meet in life who are a true original. Debbie was a 1 of 1. She effortlessly made everybody around her laugh with her authentic personality. Thankfully I was able to reconnect with Debby just a few weeks ago. I can’t believe it happened that fast.  Just another reminder to never take a day or minute for granted in this life. Rip true to a true legend. I hope she is enjoying a pack of Marlboro Reds in heaven”.

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Commanding a huge online fanbase owing to her lovable persona, Uber Debbie’s presence will surely be missed.