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Hailie Deegan’s Dramatic Career Shift: From NASCAR Struggles to Challenging Indy NXT Debut

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 2, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Hailie Deegan’s Bold Shift to IndyNXT: A Fresh Start or a Risky Gamble?

HAMPTON, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 23: Hailie Deegan, driver of the #15 AirBox Ford, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series King of Tough 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2024 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Hailie Deegan, a name once synonymous with high hopes in the NASCAR universe, found herself veering off-course after a tumultuous journey in the NASCAR Truck and Xfinity Series. With her robust social media following and an impressive history in off-road racing, Deegan was touted as a future star. However, the reality fell far short of expectations. As she reflected on her 2024 season, she confessed, “Unfortunately, it has not turned out the way that I expected.”

Her exit from the NASCAR circuit was far from graceful. Leaving AM Racing mid-season, Deegan’s rookie year in the Xfinity Series was punctuated by a disappointing lack of top 10 finishes across 17 races. Coupled with internal team issues and a disconnect in performance alignment, her NASCAR journey was fraught with obstacles.

In a surprising turn of events, Deegan switched gears, joining HMD Motorsports for the 2025 Indy NXT season. This marked a drastic pivot in her career, transitioning from stock cars to open-wheel racing, a field she had no prior experience in before mid-2024. Deegan’s leap of faith was a result of limited opportunities in NASCAR’s upper echelons.

Her IndyCar debut was a baptism by fire, revealing stark differences between the two racing series. Speaking to Frontstretch, Deegan shared her experience, “The difference is wild, for sure. The faster you try to go, the harder it is. It just keeps getting harder and harder.” Her observation was not just about the technicalities, but also the physical demands. Unlike NASCAR, Indy NXT cars lack power steering, making them physically demanding to navigate. Deegan even admitted to needing more gym time due to the physicality of the sport.

Despite her NASCAR journey being plagued with struggles, Deegan’s IndyCar debut was not an instant success either. She finished 14th at the St. Petersburg race, accomplishing her primary goal of survival. “I mean, I wanted to finish on the lead lap, finish all the laps. So whatever we got from there, I just want to take away the good I could from it,” Deegan stated.

The young racer’s NASCAR struggles were no secret. Across three full Truck Series seasons, Deegan secured just five top-10 finishes in 69 races. When she advanced to the Xfinity Series with AM Racing, her performance did not improve. She cited lack of financial backing as a significant roadblock to competing with top teams.

While Deegan was still finding her feet in Indy NXT, another rookie, Dennis Hauger, was making headlines. The Norwegian driver dominated his first-ever Indy NXT race at St. Petersburg, leading every lap from the pole position and securing a resounding victory. His flawless execution sent a powerful message to the field: he is a serious contender for the 2025 championship.

Hauger’s triumph was a stark contrast to Deegan’s learning curve. However, Deegan remains undeterred and is determined to grow. She is still adapting to the new racing style and aims for consistent progress, especially on oval tracks, where she believes her competitiveness will shine. As the Indy NXT season progresses, Deegan aspires to bridge the performance gap and prove her mettle in open-wheel racing. Whether she has a promising future at the Indy NXT level remains a topic of discussion among racing enthusiasts.

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