Ahead of the upcoming race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Hailie Deegan took a break from her Indy NXT Series preparations to spend time with her mother on a lake, a moment highlighted by a recent social media post featuring the duo on a jet ski. This Hailie Deegan Indy NXT racing update gives insight into her off-track life and career progress as she adjusts to open-wheel racing in Lexington, Ohio.
Deegan’s Turn to Open-Wheel Racing
After competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with AM Racing, Hailie Deegan transitioned to the Indy NXT Series, where she now drives the #38 car for HMD Motorsports. With seven starts already this season, Deegan is gaining vital experience as a rookie in open-wheel racing, even though she has yet to secure a top-10 finish. So far, she stands 19th in the points leaderboard, holding 94 points and trailing leader Dennis Hauger by a significant margin.
Hailie is no stranger to motorsports success within her family. Her mother, Marissa Deegan, recently posted a heartfelt image on Instagram showing the pair enjoying a jet ski excursion—an opportunity for a brief escape before racing resumes. Marissa is married to Brian Deegan, a celebrated X Games gold medalist, while Hailie’s brothers, Haiden and Hudson, also compete in motocross, highlighting the family’s deep roots in the racing world.
Family Reflections on Deegan’s Racing Choices
Brian Deegan, Hailie’s father and a notable figure in the motocross community, has been open about discussing career decisions with his daughter. After her time in NASCAR, there was consideration about Hailie joining the F1 Academy, an all-female formula racing series, but she ultimately chose to continue with HMD Motorsports in the Indy NXT Series. Brian reflected on these turning points:
“I’ve asked her if she really wants to continue racing or does she want to move on. She wants to race. Like I said, it’s a tough road, and it would be cool to see her get more support as a young female racer.”
He also spoke about his view on the F1 Academy path and Hailie’s decision to get more open-wheel experience before considering other series:
“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,” he added.
The F1 Academy, featured in a Netflix docuseries, provides up to two-year contracts exclusively for female drivers, offering exposure to the world of formula racing and the chance to tour alongside the Formula 1 grid.
What Lies Ahead for Deegan
While Hailie Deegan faces a challenging rookie season in the Indy NXT Series, her determination and the support from her family remain strong. She is set to return to racing at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 6 after an 18th-place finish in her previous start. As she continues to carve out her place in the competitive landscape of open-wheel racing, her journey is being closely followed by fans and figures within the motorsports community.
With a racing lineage that includes motocross and stock car experience, along with a family invested in her success, Deegan’s ongoing adaptation to Indy NXT could shape the path for more young women considering professional motorsports. Her progress throughout the season, including moments away from the track with loved ones, adds further depth to her story within this demanding and evolving sport.
