Hailie Deegan’s NASCAR journey has hit a challenging stretch, with almost three months passing since her last official race. After parting ways with AM Racing in July following a lackluster season, her future in NASCAR seems uncertain. Her season was marred by consistently poor performances, finishing 20th or worse in 17 races and averaging a position of 26.8. Despite these struggles, Deegan hasn’t faded away entirely from the racing scene.
Although she’s been absent from the racetrack, Deegan remains highly active online, keeping her fans engaged through her social media presence. She’s used her platform to stay connected with her audience, promoting various campaigns and content that keep her followers interested. Most recently, she found a way to combine her love for racing with her online influence, creating unique content that bridges her two worlds. While her future in NASCAR remains unclear, Deegan’s dedication to her brand and her fans shows she’s still committed to the sport in her own way.
Despite the current challenges in her career, Hailie Deegan’s early racing journey was filled with promise. She competed in the ARCA Menards Series West in 2018 and 2019, driving for Bill McAnally Racing and securing three victories. Her impressive performance led to her being crowned the 2020 ARCA Menards Series Rookie of the Year, as she finished third in the point standings. These achievements highlighted her potential as a rising star in the racing world. However, despite these early successes, Deegan has faced tough times in recent years.
As someone with significant racing experience, Deegan understands the mental and physical preparation required to succeed. One of her unique practices is a simple yet important pre-race ritual. In a promotional video with Idahoan Foods, Deegan shared a glimpse into her racing habits. When asked about her pre-race routine, she revealed that her ritual involves staying hydrated. “The only ritual I have is I have to take a sip of water right before the green flag drops,” Deegan said.
While it may seem simple, hydration is crucial for NASCAR drivers, who endure long, grueling races that can span 500 to 600 laps. Maintaining fluid levels is essential to avoid dehydration, which can severely impact performance. For example, Tony Stewart’s successful attempt at racing the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day in 2001 was largely due to proper hydration, a lesson he learned from a near-debilitating experience in 1999 when dehydration almost took him out of both races. For Deegan, this pre-race sip of water is more than just a habit—it’s an essential part of staying sharp during high-speed competition.
NASCAR has long been a male-dominated sport, and female drivers are rare. When they do compete, it’s often difficult for them to make a significant impact. Hailie Deegan seemed to be breaking that mold, with her impressive ARCA career and strong potential. She joined Toyota’s development program in 2017, a strategic move for many promising drivers. However, in 2019, she made a critical decision to switch to Ford’s development program, a move that some believe has contributed to her current struggles.
Veteran NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick has commented on the impact of this decision. According to Harvick, leaving the Toyota development program may have been a major misstep. “The big mistake here was getting out of the Toyota development system. I think Ford has the worst development program as far as their drivers go. Toyota has the best, and I think Chevy is somewhere in the middle. Getting out of that Toyota development program with all the resources, and they’re willing to give time. I think that she needed more time in the Truck Series, getting that guidance and mentorship that she needed in order to develop into what she needed to be a NASCAR race-car driver.”
Since shifting to Ford’s program, Deegan’s performance in the Craftsman Truck Series from 2021 to 2023 has been less than stellar, with only one top-five finish and six top-10 finishes. Many, including Harvick, believe that staying in Toyota’s development system would have provided her with more support and opportunities to grow as a driver.
At present, Deegan is weighing her options while supporting her younger brother, who is also involved in racing. There was some initial interest in her from the Haas Factory Team, but that opportunity has since fallen through. Now, Deegan is left to consider her next steps as she navigates the challenges of remaining competitive in a sport where female drivers are few and far between.
While her future in NASCAR is uncertain, there’s still hope that Deegan will make a comeback. Her talent, experience, and connection to her fans give her the tools to continue pursuing a career in racing. With the right support and opportunities, NASCAR’s rising female star could soon find herself back in the driver’s seat, ready to compete at the highest level once again.
“Hailie Deegan Unveils Her Strange Yet Simple Pre-Race Routine as She Faces a Lengthy Absence from NASCAR Competition”
