Indy NXT driver Hailie Deegan’s racing career comes to the forefront as her family faces tragedy following the loss of young motocross talent Aidan Zingg at Mammoth Mountain. On the heels of Deegan’s forthcoming debut in American open-wheel racing, her brothers—Hudson and Haiden—shared their grief for Zingg, reflecting the close ties within the motorsports community.
Motorsport Family Mourns a Rising Star
Brothers Haiden and Hudson Deegan expressed sorrow after the passing of 16-year-old Aidan Zingg during the Mammoth Mountain Motocross event in California. Zingg, a Hemet native from Southern California, showed early promise in motorsport, having started in the 65cc class, and rose rapidly with the support of his parents. His notable breakthrough came at Mammoth Mountain, where he secured the AMA Amateur National Championship at just 14 years old, competing in the 85cc class.
Continuing his upward trajectory, Zingg joined the Kawasaki Monster Energy Team Green program following a successful 2024. Highly regarded as a hopeful in the 250cc category, his career—and life—were cut short by a tragic racing accident at the same location where he had once celebrated a title.
Upon learning of the accident, Haiden and Hudson shared tributes on Instagram, highlighting how Zingg’s loss reverberated with young racers everywhere. Hudson posted an image of Zingg alongside words of comfort:
“So sad to hear the news praying for your family”
Haiden echoed these sentiments, sharing the same image and captioning it:
“Just heard the news abt Aidan Zingg, man that’s sad, praying for their whole family❤️🙏”
The Deegan Siblings’ Path in Racing
The Deegan siblings—Haiden, Hudson, and Hailie—are children of Brian Deegan, celebrated for his legacy in Motocross and Supercross. All three started their competitive endeavors on dirt tracks, following the example set by their father. While Haiden and Hudson have continued the two-wheeled tradition, Hailie shifted to four-wheel racing, initially competing in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) before turning to stock cars.
Hailie Deegan now stands at a pivotal point, preparing to debut with HMD Motorsports in the 2025 Indy NXT season, supported by Monster Energy. Her brothers each remain active on the motocross circuit: Haiden has clinched top titles like the 2023 and 2024 SMX 250cc championships as well as the AMA Motocross and Supercross 250cc crowns, while Hudson, the youngest, is in the early stages of his motocross pursuits in the smaller engine categories.
Brian Deegan’s Vision for Hailie’s Motorsport Career
After Hailie Deegan made the decision to leave NASCAR for Indy NXT due to an unfulfilling tenure in stock car racing, her father revealed that he aspired for her to enter the all-female F1 Academy Formula series. However, Hailie had her own ambitions, preferring to gain more experience in open-wheel racing first. Brian Deegan shared his perspective, emphasizing Hailie’s need for additional seat time before considering a move to the F1 Academy:
“I really wanted her to go do the F1 Academy deal that they were doing with the girls there. I thought that was a cool opportunity. Maybe she will. I don’t know. She felt like she needed to get some more open-wheel seat time before she did that, which I agree. She just started in it. I think give her a season there and kind of see where she is at,” said Brian Deegan.
Currently aligned with HMD Motorsports, Hailie navigates this transitional phase, while carrying the support of Monster Energy as a key sponsor. Her journey reflects a determined shift from the world of NASCAR to the demands of American open-wheel racing, shaped both by family tradition and personal conviction.
An Uncertain Road Ahead in Racing and Remembrance
The Deegan family’s intertwined experiences—a new chapter for Hailie in her Indy NXT racing career, and the somber loss of a fellow racer for her brothers—underscore the emotional and professional challenges that define motorsports. As Hailie prepares for her debut season, her story is set against a backdrop of resilience, opportunity, and remembrance, with the community watching closely for what the future holds at HMD Motorsports, and for the legacies being built and honored on and off the track.
