Hailie Deegan discusses Indy NXT road course challenges as she reflects on her adaptation from stock car racing to open wheel racing in the 2024 season. During a recent qualifying session at World Wide Technology Raceway, the driver shared how physically demanding the road courses are compared to ovals, and emphasized her efforts to seek advice from 2024 Indy NXT champion Jamie Chadwick.
Physical Demands Set Road Courses Apart
Competing for HMD Motorsports, Hailie Deegan highlighted the increased physical strain posed by road courses, which tests her endurance more than the ovals do. Deegan, who is known for her relatively smaller stature compared to many of her fellow drivers, has been making adjustments to her car setup and personal fitness to handle these tougher challenges.
“Yeah the ovals, I think from my perspective, I’m not as strong as a lot of people out here. I think I’m pretty small person generally. So definitely the physical side of things have been so hard for me on the road courses, so I’ve changed few things with the car.”
—Hailie Deegan, Driver
Improving with Guidance from Jamie Chadwick
Deegan has sought out guidance from Jamie Chadwick, who made history as the first female driver to win an IndyCar development series since 2010. After struggling at Barber Motorsports Park, the young American reached out for direct advice, seeking greater insight into how to perform on challenging road circuits.
“I’ve actually been able to talk to Jamie Chadwick and pick her brain a little bit of things they did. And it definitely helped me along on the road courses. And I just feel like physically being able to hang on for long periods of time, so I feel like the ovals are way less physical than the road course. So I feel a little bit more comfortable. A little bit more in the game and especially being at a place like gateway where I’ve raced before.”
—Hailie Deegan, Driver
Deegan’s comfort level on ovals remains higher, especially on tracks like Gateway where she has past experience. Her conversations with Chadwick have informed new approaches in both her driving and preparation between events.
Recent Race Performance and Transition from NASCAR
At the recent qualifying session at World Wide Technology Raceway, Deegan showed promise, briefly rising to third on the leaderboard before ultimately securing a tenth-place finish in qualifying. In her first race of the season, she advanced from a starting position of 21st to finish 14th after several competitors were sidelined by an opening lap incident. Her ongoing efforts to improve were further tested at Barber Motorsports Park, where she began in 19th position and finished 17th.
Deegan made the switch from NASCAR to Indy NXT after she was unable to secure sponsorship to remain in stock car racing. Previously, she competed in the Xfinity Series with AM Racing, finishing 23rd overall, with her best performance being a 12th-place finish at the Ag-Pro 3000 Series. The transition to open wheel racing has introduced a fresh learning curve, especially as she navigates the competitive environment set by drivers such as Jamie Chadwick and notable teams like Andretti Global.
Reaching Out for Honest Advice
Reflecting on her journey, Deegan described her initial meeting with Chadwick and the supportive atmosphere among her peers in the Indy NXT paddock. Her willingness to seek out honest feedback signifies a determination to grow and adapt in her new racing discipline.
“My first ever Indy NXT race that I came to last year, I got to meet her and everything so she was very friendly which is awesome so I definitely felt comfortable reaching out to her and knew that she’s going to give me an honest answer something that I’ve been really working towards,”
Deegan said. —Hailie Deegan, Driver
What Lies Ahead in the Championship
Currently, Hailie Deegan holds 18th position in the drivers‘ championship standings, with 68 points in her account. As she continues to compete through a demanding Indy NXT season, her drive to improve—supported by advice from experienced champions like Chadwick—positions her as a determined competitor with the potential for steady growth throughout the year.
The road ahead for Deegan in Indy NXT will test her adaptability and resilience as she works alongside established teams such as HMD Motorsports while aiming to rise through the ranks and master the physical and technical demands of both ovals and road courses.
