Hailie Deegan has long been a standout name in motorsports, amassing nearly five million social media followers and becoming one of NASCAR’s most marketable drivers. A trailblazer for women in racing, she carried high hopes of climbing the NASCAR ranks. However, after three full-time seasons in the Truck Series with just five top-10 finishes in 69 races, her stock car journey has hit a major roadblock. Now, Deegan is shifting gears, leaving NASCAR behind to pursue open-wheel racing in Indy NXT.
Deegan’s entry into NASCAR came with high expectations. A three-time ARCA Menards Series winner with a strong background in off-road racing, she appeared destined for success. Her 2021 debut in the Truck Series was a significant step, but her results fell short of expectations. Despite her popularity, Deegan struggled to secure competitive finishes. After three seasons, she had just five top-10s to her name—far from the breakthrough many had anticipated.
Yet, performance wasn’t the only issue. NASCAR is a sponsorship-driven sport, and securing funding became a major hurdle. “It’s tough to tell a sponsor, ‘Spend a few hundred thousand dollars for a race, and you’ll get your value,’” Deegan admitted. “That’s a hard promise to make.”
The financial challenges in NASCAR are widespread. Speaking to the Associated Press, she highlighted the staggering costs of competing at higher levels. “If $6 million to run for a good Xfinity team just fell out of the sky, I’d do it,” she said. Her part-time 2023 Xfinity Series run with AM Racing, which lasted 17 races with a best finish of 12th, only reinforced how difficult it was to secure a solid ride without major backing.
With her NASCAR options limited, Deegan is taking on a new challenge—joining HMD Motorsports in Indy NXT, the top development series for IndyCar. The transition is bold, given her lack of prior IndyCar experience, but she’s embracing the opportunity. “I’ve been learning a lot and having fun with it,” she shared. While she still has much to absorb, Deegan is optimistic about competing on ovals, believing they will play to her strengths.
HMD Motorsports has a strong record of developing IndyCar talent, giving her a solid foundation. Though she acknowledges she won’t be winning right away, Deegan is focused on gradual progress.
While Deegan hasn’t completely ruled out a NASCAR return, her chances seem slim unless a major sponsor steps in. “If a few million dollars suddenly appeared, great,” she said. “But right now, sponsorship budgets are tighter than ever.”
For now, she’s fully committed to her new journey. Whether she can achieve the success that eluded her in NASCAR remains to be seen, but Deegan isn’t done racing—she’s just taking a different path.
