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NASCAR Star Hailie Deegan’s Bold Transition to Indy NXT: A Risk, a Dream, and a Concerned Father’s Perspective

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 4, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Hailie Deegan prepares for IndyCar debut with HMD Motorsports: “A new challenge, a new chapter”

May 11, 2019; Tucson, AZ, USA; NASCAR K&N Pro Series driver Hailie Deegan during the Twin 100s at Tucson Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In the high-stakes world of motorsports, a name that’s been making headlines is Hailie Deegan. This rising star and social media sensation of the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck series has sent shockwaves through the industry with her audacious move to compete in the Indy NXT series. This transition from stock car racing to the more streamlined, fenderless machines of Indy NXT is far from a safe bet and has ignited discussions about Deegan’s career ambitions and her pursuit of her new aspirations.

Deegan’s motorsports career trajectory is anything but ordinary. Unlike her Indy NXT rivals, who have been honing their skills from as young as five or six years old, Deegan’s journey began on the dirt tracks of off-road racing. This unconventional start didn’t hinder her progress; she made history by becoming the first woman to clinch a win in the K&N Pro Series West. From here, she plunged into the cutthroat competition of NASCAR, driving for AM Racing in the Xfinity Series.

The pivotal moment of her career arrived when she decided to compete in the Indy NXT race on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. However, the person grappling most with her bold decision is none other than her father, motorsports legend Brian Deegan.

Racing, inherently fraught with danger, becomes particularly nerve-racking when it involves open-wheel racing. The fear factor escalates for parents watching their offspring on the track, a sentiment Brian candidly admitted as he watched his daughter’s debut in open-wheel racing. “It’s exciting, but nerve-wracking,” he confessed to Jamie Little. “It’s a steep learning curve for her, but I’m excited. As a parent, you like to see that, but it’s still our daughter going very fast in her very small race car.”

The leap from stock car racing to Indy NXT is a formidable challenge, even more so for someone like Deegan, who lacks experience in open-wheel racing. “Everyone else has been doing this since they were seven years old,” observed a race announcer, highlighting the magnitude of Deegan’s undertaking.

Despite the daunting transition, Deegan remains optimistic. “I feel like I’ve been learning so much and having a blast doing it,” she shared. “It’s been a big change, but a fun one. I’m realistic; I know I’m not going to win my first race.”

The vehicles used in Indy NXT differ vastly from what Deegan is accustomed to. They demand a high level of precision and physical strength, particularly upper body strength, due to the absence of power steering. “My little hands want to slip off the wheel,” she admitted, underlining the demanding nature of these racing machines.

Deegan’s unwavering determination, coupled with her sizeable social media following of around five million, make her a marketing treasure. However, the challenge lies in translating her popularity into success on the NASCAR track, a feat she found challenging. A series of unfavorable results, coupled with her ambition to transcend the Truck series, led her to venture into the realm of open-wheel racing.

The burning question now is whether Deegan will remain in the open-wheel circuits or attempt a NASCAR comeback. When asked about the possibility of returning to NASCAR, she responded, “If there is an opportunity, if someone wants to pay for a ride, yeah, I will do it.”

Deegan’s career pivot echoes that of Danica Patrick, who transitioned from NASCAR to IndyCar and later returned to NASCAR, solidifying her status as a motorsports legend. Could Deegan follow in Patrick’s footsteps? Or could she leverage her talent, skills, and vast social media presence to carve out a niche for herself in open-wheel racing?

The 23-year-old has plenty of time and opportunities to navigate her career. She may indeed benefit from a hiatus from NASCAR racing. However, her future hinges on her performance in the Indy NXT. Successful performances could attract the attention of big sponsors and teams, potentially from both NASCAR and IndyCar. Only time will tell what lies ahead for this promising young talent.

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