Hailie Deegan has opened up about her difficulty adapting to the intense physical demands of Indy NXT, raising concerns about the challenges faced by drivers switching from NASCAR. Deegan’s honest account sheds light on how different the world of open-wheel racing is and how her lack of experience is affecting her performance this season.
A Look Back at Deegan’s NASCAR Roots
Deegan began her professional racing career in 2018 with Bill McAnally Racing, competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, which would later become the ARCA Menards Series. Over the years, her career grew to include appearances in the NASCAR Truck Series and the SRX series, leading up to her 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series ride with AM Racing.
This momentum came to an abrupt halt when her partnership with AM Racing ended midway through the season. Left without a major drive, Deegan considered new opportunities and soon participated in a few Formula Regional races to test her skills in open-wheel cars. After a trial session with HMD Motorsports, she secured a deal to compete in Indy NXT, the prominent junior series to IndyCar, as she looked ahead to 2025.
Deegan Explains the Extreme Physical Demands of Indy NXT
The physical rigor involved in Indy NXT has proven to be a significant hurdle for Deegan. Unlike NASCAR vehicles, Indy NXT cars do not have power steering, placing more strain on drivers, especially on road courses. In a candid discussion on the
“Off Track with Hinch and Rossi”
podcast, Deegan described her recent struggles:
“Obviously, the road courses are very hard. Barber (the track that hosts the Grand Prix of Alabama, where Deegan had a P17 result) was bad for me. Like physically, okay, I’m not that far off when we get to practice or qualifying. Whatever it is, I’ll be okay, not bad. But like the longevity for me, I’m dying.”
—Hailie Deegan, Driver
“Like after practice, for the second practice, I’m back at the Airbnb with my hands in an iced bowl of water, just trying to get some sort of strength back because I was just like dying in pain and so… from just being sore. So I think tracks like those were hard,”
she added. —Hailie Deegan, Driver
Earlier this year, Deegan also remarked that NASCAR, by comparison, was
one of the most unphysical forms of racing
.
Challenges That Go Beyond Physical Fitness
Deegan’s rookie year in Indy NXT has not met expectations so far. She qualified and finished last in the majority of races, including the Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber. With only the Milwaukee and Nashville oval tracks remaining in the season, she currently sits at the bottom of the standings among full-time drivers.
Her struggles are not just about physical endurance or adapting to the demands of Indy NXT cars. The American’s limited experience on road and street circuits has left her at a disadvantage. Most NASCAR Xfinity races take place on ovals, so Deegan’s transition to tracks like Barber has been especially challenging, causing her to fall behind her rivals.
Another factor has been her approach to the rookie season. She has admitted to holding back instead of risking crashes and expensive damages for HMD Motorsports, choosing to learn gradually rather than push aggressively. This conservative approach, combined with the physical strain, has contributed to her lack of pace and results compared to her competitors.
The Road Ahead for Deegan in Open-Wheel Racing
With only a handful of races left, Deegan has the opportunity to apply what she’s learned and attempt to finish her first Indy NXT season on a stronger note. Her transparent discussion of the physical and mental toll of open-wheel racing highlights the steep learning curve for drivers making the move from NASCAR. The coming seasons will reveal if she can adapt and improve, or if the unique demands of Indy NXT continue to challenge even the most determined racers.
