NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Hailie Deegan is facing a tough rookie season. After three unimpressive years in the Truck Series, Deegan looks to struggle again in the Xfinity Series driving the No. 15 Ford for AM Racing.
Halfway through her rookie season, Deegan is ranked 27th, last among full-time starters. She has yet to achieve a top-10 finish, with her best finish being a 12th at Talladega. For comparison, Brett Moffitt, using the same equipment last year, had nine top-10 finishes and was ranked 15th in the year-end standings. Hailie Deegan’s playoff chances disappeared when the team announced Joey Logano as his replacement for the Chicago Street Race. The two-time Cup winner will drive the No. 15 Ford to test the car’s performance. The move could be a sign of what’s to come as the two parties may part ways.
There’s been a lot of speculation about Deegan’s future in NASCAR with AM Racing, as she has not been able to show consistent speed on the track or in Xfinity. Let’s take a look at the possible paths forward for the 22-year-old.
Exploring 3 possible paths for Hailie Deegan after potential AM Racing exit
#1 A break from NASCAR
Hailie Deegan could explore opportunities beyond NASCAR’s three major national series by returning to her dirt racing roots, where her racing career began with dirt bike and off-road racing.
NASCAR legend Tony Stewart described her as a “one hell of a dirt racer” following her performance last season on dirt ovals in the SRX Racing Series. Taking a break from NASCAR for a bit or trying another series could be beneficial for the 22-year-old Californian.
#2 Back to the Truck
Another possibility for Hailie Deegan could be a move to the Truck Series, which would allow her to focus on honing her skills in a third-tier series before returning to the Xfinity Series. Deegan made her full-time debut with TRICON Garage (formerly David Gilliland Racing) in 2021 before moving to ThorSport Racing in 2023. She has five top-10 finishes, with a best finish of sixth, and reached 17th overall in her rookie season.
#1 Part-time at Joe Gibbs Racing
With the sponsorship she brings, a part-time Xfinity program with a top organization could help Hailie Deegan prove her speed and solidify her presence in NASCAR. Joe Gibbs Racing could be one potential landing spot for Deegan, as all four cars will be competitive every week.
Deegan was previously part of Toyota’s TRD Pipeline and could have been promoted to Joe Gibbs Racing, but she switched affiliations to Ford Performance. A return to Toyota could open up more opportunities for her.
