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Hailie Deegan’s NASCAR exit wasn’t the end—will her Indy NXT leap lead to a future stock car return?

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
January 23, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 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

HAILEE DEEGAN REFUSES TO CLOSE THE DOOR ON NASCAR COMEBACK AFTER MAJOR CAREER SHIFT TO INDY NXT

In a surprising revelation, Hailie Deegan—once heralded as NASCAR’s next big female star—has opened the door to a potential return to stock car racing despite her recent transition to the Indy NXT series. After a rollercoaster ride in NASCAR’s lower divisions, Deegan’s 2024 season took a dramatic turn when she lost her Xfinity Series seat with AM Racing after an underwhelming performance, including a disappointing run during the Chicago Street Race weekend.

While many expected Deegan to fade from the NASCAR spotlight, her unexpected move to open-wheel racing has turned heads. She’ll be racing for HMD Motorsports in the 2025 Indy NXT season, the official feeder series for IndyCar. But while Deegan is pursuing a new career path, she hasn’t entirely ruled out a return to NASCAR in the future.


“I wouldn’t say my NASCAR days are done”—Hailie Deegan keeps NASCAR comeback hopes alive

In an interview, Deegan admitted that NASCAR is still on her radar, but her comeback hinges on one critical factor: sponsorship money. The 22-year-old driver made it clear that securing a top-tier seat in NASCAR requires heavy financial backing, a resource that’s become more challenging to come by as her career has progressed. For now, Deegan is focused on her Indy NXT opportunity, but the lure of a NASCAR return isn’t completely out of reach.

“I wouldn’t say my NASCAR days are done,” Deegan said candidly. “I think if there’s an opportunity, if someone wants to pay for a ride, yeah, I’ll do it.”

Deegan’s comments shed light on the financial realities of NASCAR, where drivers often need major sponsors to fund their seats. Unfortunately for Deegan, she found it increasingly difficult to secure the right amount of backing to compete at NASCAR’s top level. That’s when the Indy NXT offer came into play. “It’s too much money for a lot of sponsors to put on the table,” she continued. “It’s hard to get that kind of sponsor money. When this opportunity came up, I just took it.”


From NASCAR to Indy NXT: Why Deegan Made the Leap

While NASCAR may still be in her future, Deegan’s move to open-wheel racing was driven by more than just financial constraints. The talented driver revealed that she’s always had a deep love for all types of racing, particularly road courses—a strength she’s shown time and time again during her NASCAR career. Her background in go-karting and success on road courses played a big role in her decision to switch gears.

“When it comes to racing, I like all racing,” Deegan said. “I grew up go-karting, and when the opportunity came up to get into an open-wheel car, I took it. I fell in love with it. I’ve always loved road course racing, and I always felt like I had some of my stronger runs on road courses in the past. So being able to go back to that is really key for me.”

Her transition to Indy NXT also seems like a natural fit for Deegan, who has long shown promise on road courses in the NASCAR ranks. Now, with a fresh start in Indy NXT, Deegan has a chance to rebuild her reputation and prove she’s more than capable of succeeding in open-wheel racing.


Will Hailie Deegan’s Indy NXT Success Lead to a NASCAR Return?

As Deegan sets her sights on the 2025 Indy NXT season, it’s clear that she’s not giving up on her dreams of becoming a top-tier racer, whether it’s in NASCAR or IndyCar. Her journey, which has already been filled with twists and turns, is far from over. She’s clearly not done making waves in the motorsport world.

The Indy NXT series offers a unique opportunity for Deegan to showcase her skill set in a completely different racing discipline. If she can make a splash there, don’t be surprised if NASCAR teams take another look at her down the road, especially if her open-wheel experience translates into success. The motorsport world is full of surprises, and Deegan’s potential comeback could be one of the biggest stories in NASCAR in the coming years.

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