Hailie Deegan, a well-known name in motorsports thanks to her affiliation with the NASCAR National Series and her famous lineage tied to action sports legend Brian Deegan, is embarking on a new chapter in her racing career. She recently announced a shift from NASCAR to the Indy NXT Series for the 2025 season with HMD Motorsports. After spending four seasons in NASCAR with varying results, Deegan is set to drive the No. 38 car in the hopes of reigniting the success she experienced in her early racing years. Expressing her excitement for this new opportunity, Deegan looks forward to collaborating with the established program at HMD Motorsports to enhance her performance on the track.
During her time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series from 2021 to 2023, Deegan faced challenges, with her performance yielding only five top-10 finishes in 69 starts. Her best points finish came in her rookie year when she took 17th place in the standings. The difficulties continued into the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024, where she encountered crashes that led to three Did Not Finish (DNF) outcomes. Deegan’s promising start in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Division showcased her potential as a rising star, highlighted by becoming the first female driver to secure a victory. Her achievements in this series, which later transformed into the ARCA Menards Series West, included three wins and a third-place finish in the championship in 2019. Additionally, her performances in the ARCA Menards Series solidified her talent as she achieved multiple podium finishes and ended the season in third place.
Transitioning to the Indy NXT Series with HMD Motorsports aligns Deegan with a team specializing in nurturing talent destined for the upper echelons of IndyCar competition. Paired with teammates such as Caio Collet, Josh Pierson, Tommy Smith, and Bryce Aron, Deegan’s seat within the team is intended to maximize her potential and pave the way for success in open-wheel racing. Team President Mike Maurini affirmed the significance of the Deegan name in motorsports and extended a warm welcome to Hailie, emphasizing the serious approach she has already taken towards adapting to the challenges of open-wheel racing. Deegan’s commitment to immersing herself within the team and working closely with her engineer demonstrates her dedication to making a smooth transition and being fully prepared for the upcoming season.
Acknowledging that she has much to learn, Deegan expressed her readiness to embrace the new opportunities that the Indy NXT Series presents. Eager to absorb the wealth of knowledge offered by HMD Motorsports, she is gearing up for her race debut in March at St. Petersburg. As she embarks on this next stage of her racing journey, Deegan remains optimistic about the experiences and insights that lie ahead, making it clear that she is focused on honing her skills and pushing towards achieving success. With a supportive team and a conducive environment for growth, Deegan is determined to capitalize on this fresh challenge to reignite her racing career and make her mark in the competitive world of open-wheel racing.
