Hailie Deegan faced a challenging qualifying session for the Indy NXT Grand Prix of Alabama on Saturday, May 3, as she ended up at the bottom of the timesheets among twenty drivers at Barber Motorsports Park. Competing for HMD Motorsports, Deegan’s effort during damp conditions on Firestone wet tires yielded a lap time of 1:27.5294, with an average speed of 94.597 mph—approximately 2.5 seconds behind her teammate, Caio Collet, who led their group.
The qualifying format split the competitors into two groups, with Deegan in Group 1. While her deficit to Collet was significant, it still marked a slight improvement over her previous attempt at St. Petersburg. There, the gap between her and the group leader, Lochie Hughes, was over 3.3 seconds, showing incremental progress even as the pace remains elusive.
The track conditions played a pivotal role, as Group 2 saw a rapidly drying circuit and all drivers switched to soft tires. Times tumbled, with Dennis Hauger, the fastest in Group 2, clocking in more than twelve seconds better than Collet. Hauger secured pole position, while Collet started alongside him. According to Indy NXT rules, the grid is set by alternating the quickest drivers from each group, further complicating starting positions for those struggling with pace.
This event marks the second consecutive race in which Hailie Deegan will start from the last row, underlining the steep learning curve she faces after transitioning from NASCAR to open-wheel racing in 2025.
Learning is my main goal this season, not immediate results,
Deegan has stressed on multiple occasions, highlighting her focus on development rather than short-term achievements. At 23, adapting to the technical and strategic demands of Indy NXT represents an entirely new chapter in her racing journey.
Deegan’s debut at the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg provided a glimpse of her tenacity, as she rose from 21st to finish 14th, partly due to incidents involving her competitors. Capturing her journey off the track, she also shared behind-the-scenes insights and reflections in a vlog on her YouTube channel, expressing optimism and recalibrated expectations ahead of the Grand Prix of Alabama.
Having competed at Barber in stock cars previously, Hailie Deegan believed the familiarity might support a stronger performance. Yet, the demands of open-wheel racing at this level continue to present her with formidable challenges. She will line up 20th for Sunday’s 35-lap Indy NXT race, which begins at 11:30 am ET, followed later that day by the IndyCar series’ main event featuring Alex Palou on pole.
The ongoing struggles of Hailie Deegan in Indy NXT qualifying sessions emphasize the difficulty facing drivers making the leap from NASCAR to the open-wheel ranks. The gap to the leaders, coupled with adjusting to rapidly changing track conditions, signals that substantial adaptation is still required. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Deegan to see if she can transform these demanding experiences into measured progress. The outcome may shape not only her development as a driver but also influence her future opportunities in top-level American motorsports. Fans, observers, and her team will be eager to witness how she responds to the mounting challenges in the competitive and unpredictable environment of Indy NXT racing.
