Hailie Deegan, once touted as a prodigy in NASCAR, is now charting a new path in motorsport by shifting her focus to open-wheel racing. After an underwhelming stint in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with AM Racing, Deegan was forced to part ways following a string of poor performances. Faced with a pivotal career decision, the 22-year-old driver is now embarking on a fresh chapter in the IndyNXT series with HMD Motorsports in 2025, marking her official entry into the IndyCar world.
Deegan, known for her impressive early career in stock car racing, recently shared her reasons for making the switch in an interview with Dirty Mo Media. She explained that her decision was not made lightly but stemmed from careful consideration of her strengths as a driver. After visiting an IndyCar race at Iowa and reflecting on her past successes, particularly on road courses and high-grip tracks, Deegan realized that open-wheel racing might be better suited to her talents.
“I was like, ‘Let’s go to the IndyCar race at Iowa. Let’s go check it out. Why not?’” Deegan said, describing her curiosity-driven visit to the race that helped solidify her decision. “When we started weighing out me as a driver, my pros and cons… I found that I’m always good on open tracks and road courses.”
Deegan’s standout performances on road courses in IMSA, coupled with her best NASCAR qualifying runs coming on similar tracks, helped tip the scales in favor of the switch to IndyNXT. She admitted that her love for high-grip environments and her skillset on wide-open tracks made the move to open-wheel racing a natural choice. “Some of my best runs have been on road courses… The IMSA stuff on top of that, I did good on that side,” she added.
Her transition also comes with a critique of the NASCAR scene, particularly around the physical demands placed on drivers. In a candid moment, Deegan dismissed complaints about the heat inside NASCAR cars, pointing out that drivers are equipped with cooling systems, including air conditioning and cool suits. “Calm down… Everyone is very dramatic in that sense on the NASCAR side,” Deegan remarked, adding that she feels NASCAR doesn’t place as much emphasis on fitness as IndyCar does.
Deegan, who is known for her commitment to fitness, believes her training will give her an edge as she rebuilds her career in the physically demanding world of IndyCar. “Training is a huge part. I’d say it’s 60 percent of their racing,” she noted, highlighting the importance of physical conditioning in open-wheel racing compared to stock car racing.
With her transition to IndyNXT, Deegan is aiming to make a name for herself in a new racing discipline, hoping her natural ability on road courses and her relentless drive will propel her toward the top-tier IndyCar series. While she’s leaving behind the NASCAR world where she was once expected to shine, Deegan’s bold move to open-wheel racing could be the career re-ignition she needs. As she gears up for her debut with HMD Motorsports, the motorsport world will be watching to see if this rising star can truly find her footing in IndyCar.
