During the opening lap of the Detroit Indy NXT Grand Prix on Sunday, Hailie Deegan was caught in a destructive crash involving 10 cars at Turn 4, leading to significant setbacks for her rookie campaign. This incident, rooted in on-track chaos, highlighted just how quickly fortunes can shift in racing, especially for new drivers navigating unpredictable events.
The chain reaction began when Callum Hedge made contact with the back of Myles Rowe’s car, sending Rowe spinning out and creating an unavoidable pile-up that ensnared much of the field. While Hedge managed to escape the immediate mess, a cascade of trouble unfolded behind him. Amidst the chaos, only two drivers slipped past unscathed; Deegan found her No. 38 HMD Motorsports car near the back of the stopped group, momentarily avoiding harm until Ricardo Escotto, who had started from last, collided with her vehicle.
Describing the harrowing moments that wrecked her race, Deegan said:
“Well guys, that kind of sucked. Lap one, there was a massive wreck hogging up the track. Got absolutely smoked. I ended up getting stopped in time, barely tapped in front of me, not enough to damage, and then I got smoked by someone else from behind. It killed the front wing and also broke something in the rear. So we had to come to pit road, make few changes. Had to change the bars in the back, ‘coz the bar was all bent and stuff. So they got that changed.”
Her team immediately rushed to make repairs, changing out damaged parts and getting the car back into racing condition. Yet the damage had already been done — the repairs cost multiple laps, and Deegan rejoined the contest trailing the leaders by a significant margin. Still determined, she focused on finishing cleanly despite the setback and aimed to make the most out of a difficult situation.
Reflecting on her race, Deegan shared:
“We were like three laps down (after it). So we were kind of out from the start. So made laps, learnt, ran my fastest lap during the race, so I was happy with that. Had some good data to look at, but bummed on how it started. What a long race, didn’t even make three corners for a wreck.”
Up until the Detroit crash, Hailie Deegan’s rookie season in Indy NXT had been largely uneventful, with no collisions and just one off-track incident at Barber where she narrowly avoided losing control. Sunday’s chaos marked a harsh shift from her relatively smooth start, underlining how the unpredictable nature of racing can upend even the most prepared competitor.
Despite being forced to make multiple pit stops and losing several laps, Deegan still managed to cross the finish line in 16th place—an improvement over her qualifying spot, even if five laps off the leader’s pace, offering a small consolation in a weekend dominated by frustration.
Deegan Prioritizes Learning Amidst Setbacks
Throughout her debut Indy NXT season, Deegan has consistently stated that her primary objective is long-term growth rather than immediate victories. Having transitioned from NASCAR and dirt racing to open-wheel cars, she is still adapting to different challenges presented by tracks like Detroit and events such as the 10-car pile-up.
After competing in the Indianapolis Grand Prix in May, Deegan highlighted her steady progress and focus on making incremental improvements at every outing. She commented on her continued development through each race and practice opportunity:
“Every time I hit the track, I’m improving. So that’s kind of my goal. Keep chipping away at it, chipping away at it. And there hasn’t been a time where I’ve been on track and gotten backtracked. I’ve constantly been getting better, so that’s constantly my goal for at least these practice sessions,” she said on a YouTube VLOG on her channel.
Looking ahead, Deegan prepares for the upcoming Indy NXT event at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis, which will mark her first competition on an oval in an open-wheel car. She did gain oval experience earlier this year during a test at Nashville Superspeedway, and this next race presents both fresh challenges and learning opportunities as she continues to adapt her NASCAR background to the specific demands of Indy NXT competition.
The Detroit crash serves as a reminder of how turbulent and emotionally charged racing can be, especially in a rookie year full of expectations and unpredictability. As the season progresses, Hailie Deegan remains focused on honing her skills, making the most of every session, and overcoming the setbacks that come her way, all while representing HMD Motorsports among seasoned drivers on some of America’s most challenging circuits.
