As the summer motorsports calendar rolls on, Hailie Deegan made the most of her off-weekend with a lakeside retreat, stepping away briefly from the rigors of Indy NXT competition. The 23-year-old open-wheel rookie—once a rising star in NASCAR—used the break to recharge while sharing glimpses of her downtime with fans and sponsors.
Deegan, who now races full-time in the developmental Indy NXT series with HMD Motorsports, has had a challenging start to her new chapter in open-wheel racing. But amid the high-speed learning curve, she found time for a slower-paced escape.
A Calm Weekend with Familiar Company
On June 30, Deegan posted three photos from her weekend on Instagram, revealing a much-needed pause from the grind of the IndyCar ladder. The first image showed her aboard a boat, holding a can of Monster Energy—her longtime sponsor—alongside her Pomeranian, Rambo. The second featured her dog and a friend inside an off-roading vehicle, while the final picture captured a lakeside selfie of Deegan and Rambo floating together in the water.
She captioned the post,
“Off-weekend lake day with my buddy 🤍.” – Hailie Deegan
Later, she shared the update on her Instagram Story, tagging Monster Energy in appreciation of their continued support. The photos struck a balance between sponsorship visibility and a personal look at life away from the racetrack.
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From NASCAR to Indy NXT: A Bold Career Shift
Deegan’s off-track moments come in the midst of a pivotal year. After several years navigating NASCAR’s national series—including a full-time Xfinity campaign with AM Racing that ended in a disappointing 32nd-place finish—Deegan transitioned to open-wheel racing at the start of 2025. She signed with HMD Motorsports, one of the most competitive teams in Indy NXT, becoming the only female driver on the grid following Sophia Flörsch’s departure from the series.
With stock car opportunities dwindling due to sponsorship limitations and underwhelming results, Deegan opted for a fresh start in a more technical and precision-driven discipline. Her entry into Indy NXT raised eyebrows, particularly given the stark contrast in driving style and vehicle dynamics.
A Respectable but Cautious Start in St. Petersburg
Her debut came during the Indy NXT season opener in St. Petersburg, Florida. Deegan qualified in 21st place but showed grit by navigating the tight street circuit cleanly and finishing 14th—on the lead lap. The race, shortened by time after multiple caution periods, was a test of patience and focus, especially for a newcomer in such unfamiliar machinery.
Deegan admitted before the race that she planned a conservative approach:
“I think my goal is to get through this one. Have a clean, easy day for this race and then really start going from there.” – Hailie Deegan
She met that goal, maintaining composure amid four caution flags and multiple wrecks that collected far more experienced drivers. Though the final result wasn’t headline-grabbing, it signaled an important milestone—survival, in an environment where many rookies falter immediately.
The race also answered an early question: Could a stock car veteran adjust to the nuanced demands of an open-wheel machine? The verdict isn’t clear yet, but her debut proved she’s up for the challenge.
Learning a New Discipline: Physical and Mental Demands
Transitioning from NASCAR to Indy NXT is no small feat. The cars are lighter, more sensitive, and much faster in the corners. They also lack power steering—something Deegan has cited as an added physical hurdle compared to what she’s used to. Braking is more precise, and drivers are penalized heavily for even minor contact, making racecraft a completely different art form.
Fortunately, Deegan finds herself in a solid position with HMD Motorsports, which gives her a car capable of competing at the front. What remains is the learning curve—one that demands discipline, adaptability, and a different kind of race intelligence than stock cars require.
With half the season still ahead, Deegan will be expected to build upon her debut and convert experience into speed. Her performance in the next few races will determine whether she becomes a mainstay in open-wheel racing or views it as a brief detour.
News in Brief: Hailie Deegan Shows Off Her Off-Weekend Glow
Hailie Deegan’s weekend off was short but clearly meaningful. Her lakeside snapshots offered a rare moment of calm for a driver who has spent most of her career fighting to prove herself in high-pressure environments. With a strong support system, including her sponsor Monster Energy and team HMD Motorsports, Deegan appears poised to embrace the grind that lies ahead.
Her 14th-place finish at St. Petersburg didn’t answer every question about her open-wheel potential, but it showed she belongs on the grid. Now, after a quiet moment away from the track, she’ll return to competition with fresh energy—and perhaps a clearer mind—as she continues to chase success in one of motorsports’ most demanding series.
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