Hailie Deegan has made a bold move, reaching out to Jamie Chadwick for valuable advice as she navigates the intense world of Indy NXT racing in 2025. After three tough years in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and an abrupt Xfinity Series exit, Deegan’s path has led her into open-wheel racing’s competitive ranks. Determined to adapt quickly and build a foundation for her future, Deegan’s decision to seek counsel from Chadwick—one of the series’ trailblazing female winners—reflects her commitment to learning at the highest level.
In the fiercely challenging landscape of Indy NXT, history has seen only a handful of women achieve victory. Ana Beatriz became the first, winning in 2008 and 2009, with Pippa Mann following at Kentucky Motor Speedway in 2010. However, Chadwick distinguished herself in a different way: by mastering road courses. In June 2024, Chadwick became the third female driver to win an Indy NXT race and crucially, the first woman to conquer a road course, dominating at the Grand Prix of Road America. Her victory, achieved with cool precision on the formidable 4.014-mile circuit, set her apart as a role model for aspiring drivers like Hailie Deegan.
Deegan’s own Indy NXT journey began with determination. She made a promising debut at St. Petersburg in March, finishing 14th after a race full of cautions. Anticipating her next challenge at Barber Motorsports Park, she didn’t hesitate to reach out to Chadwick. During a recent press conference, Deegan revealed how Chadwick’s approach and encouragement became an essential part of her rookie learning curve.
Deegan admitted.
The transition from NASCAR to Indy NXT is no ordinary leap. Indy NXT cars require an entirely different set of skills—higher cornering speeds, more precise braking, and no tolerance for car-to-car contact. They also lack power steering, demanding physical conditioning unlike anything Deegan encountered in her stock car races. Chadwick’s expertise in handling these challenges made her an ideal mentor. Deegan further explained,
At the Grand Prix of Alabama, Hailie Deegan started 19th and finished 17th, contending with one of the most physically demanding tracks on the circuit. The lessons from Chadwick provided not only technical advice but also moral support.
Deegan stated, her determination clear. The mentor-mentee relationship offered new perspectives that could accelerate her development through the rigorous Indy NXT calendar.
Jamie Chadwick’s recent career provides a compelling blueprint. Arriving in the United States from the United Kingdom in 2023, Chadwick took on the immense challenge of mastering a 450-horsepower Indy NXT by Firestone machine weighing just over 1,400 pounds. The journey to her 2024 triumph was anything but easy but demonstrated tenacity in the face of adversity. Chadwick’s consistent resolve led her not just to an historic win at Road America, but now to new opportunities in the 2025 European Le Mans Series with IDEC Sport. She’s already made headlines with another major achievement—becoming the first female driver to capture an outright victory in the European Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard after winning her class in Barcelona.
Chadwick’s endurance and adaptability offer valuable lessons for Deegan, who herself aspires to innovation and success in an ever-evolving racing landscape. Chadwick described her latest victory with humility and strategic clarity:
Referring to the challenging conditions, she added,
Her resilience on slick tires and ever-changing conditions provided the sort of example Deegan seeks to emulate.
As Hailie Deegan prepares for her upcoming challenge at the Indianapolis Grand Prix, the stakes could not be higher. The rookie’s journey is not just about results but about adapting and growing under pressure. By leveraging Jamie Chadwick’s mentorship, Deegan has demonstrated a strategic and open-minded approach, positioning herself for a breakthrough. The combination of Deegan’s youthful ambition and Chadwick’s experience presents the possibility of a new era for women in motorsport, signaling a shift toward greater inclusivity in a historically male-dominated sphere.
This collaboration between drivers echoes throughout the racing community. Chadwick’s ongoing success not only inspires Deegan but highlights the potential of women supporting women in competitive motorsports. The challenges that face both drivers—unforgiving tracks, technical mastery, and physical endurance—place them at the vanguard of innovation and change in their sport. Deegan’s ongoing dialogue with Chadwick represents more than a simple exchange of advice; it is a living testament to the evolving pathways women are forging in the world of high-speed racing.
Looking ahead, Hailie Deegan’s willingness to consult a champion like Jamie Chadwick may prove transformative. The next races will likely test her limits; yet with Chadwick’s strategies and encouragement, Deegan is poised to accelerate her learning process, addressing the nuances of open-wheel racing that challenge every newcomer. Whether it’s mastering corner speed, handling energy-draining tracks, or fostering mental strength in the heat of battle, Deegan’s proactive approach stands as a model for other emerging talents who seek to learn from established figures in their field.
The significance of this connection stretches far beyond their individual careers. As more women carve out successful roles on the global stage, their mentorship becomes a catalyst, prompting teams and fans alike to reconsider traditional narratives in racing. Should Deegan translate Chadwick’s guidance into top results in the coming races, the doors may open wider for others to follow, both within Indy NXT and across the broader motorsports domain.
While Chadwick continues to pile up victories in Europe, her impact is felt back in America, where Hailie Deegan puts her advice to the test on demanding courses. The mutual respect between these two drivers strengthens the spirit of camaraderie—and competition—that defines elite racing. It also reminds fans that behind every high-speed lap lies a powerful story of persistence and adaptability, of one generation passing skills and encouragement to the next.
As this dynamic between Hailie Deegan and Jamie Chadwick continues to develop, it holds the potential not only to shift individual fortunes but to inspire a broader reckoning within motorsport—one that embraces diversity and excellence in equal measure. Observers now turn their attention to the Indianapolis Grand Prix, eager to see if Deegan, guided by Chadwick’s wisdom, can make another leap forward. Her story remains one of courage and relentless pursuit, and the racing world watches with anticipation, knowing that the connection between these two remarkable athletes has already made a difference.
