Rumors circulating about a possible Hailie Deegan NASCAR Truck Series return in 2026 have stirred intense debate among racing fans and insiders. The speculation follows a tough stint in open-wheel racing for Deegan, igniting conversations about her career direction and what her next move could mean for the NASCAR landscape.
At just 24, Hailie Deegan—daughter of motocross legend Brian Deegan—has experienced a whirlwind career. After impressive wins in the ARCA Menards Series West in 2018 and 2019, she transitioned to ARCA’s national series in 2020, taking on drivers like Sam Mayer and Chandler Smith. Deegan entered the NASCAR Truck Series with DGR-Crosley, going full-time in 2021 and later competing with ThorSport Racing. Despite the high expectations, her Truck Series run did not produce standout results, with a sixth-place finish at Talladega in 2022 as her single top-10 over 69 starts.
After parting ways with ThorSport, Deegan jumped to the NASCAR Xfinity Series with AM Racing in 2024. However, she exited after 17 races following underwhelming finishes. With her NASCAR future uncertain, Deegan diverted to Indy NXT for 2025, but her first season in open-wheel racing featured finishes no higher than 11th, placing her 14th in series points. Now, a report from BrakeHard hints at a potential comeback for Deegan in the NASCAR Truck Series, and the rumor mill has targeted possible destinations including a ThorSport reunion, a deal at Niece Motorsports, or joining Kaulig Racing’s anticipated Ram-backed five-truck operation.
Potential teams in play for Deegan’s next step
ThorSport Racing, where Deegan raced last, appears to be a logical option. The team is set to lose veteran Matt Crafton in 2026, opening up the No. 98 truck as Ty Majeski moves to the No. 88. While Deegan’s previous tenure with ThorSport fell short of expectations, returning to a familiar environment could offer her another opportunity to refine her stock car skills.
Niece Motorsports has also surfaced as a contender, as the team deals with driver reshuffling after moving on from Kaden Honeycutt and switching Christian Rose for Andrés Pérez de Lara midway through 2025. Open seats could appeal to Deegan, offering a reset with a different organization.
Kaulig Racing’s ambitious expansion into the Truck Series with a five-truck Ram-backed lineup presents yet another opportunity, especially as the team reportedly wants a female driver and has considered several prospects—such as Toni Breidinger and Isabella Robusto, both of whom declined offers. Deegan’s long-term branding power, supported by Monster Energy and Craftsman, could make her an attractive signing even as her recent competitive results have lagged.
Fans voice divided opinions on a possible Truck Series comeback
The possibility of a Hailie Deegan NASCAR Truck Series return in 2026 has ignited animated discussions across fan communities, especially on social platforms like Reddit. Perspectives diverge sharply, reflecting both skepticism and optimism about her trajectory.
One user commented,
“You mean it was a bad idea to go from being slow in familiar cars to skipping up past 80% of the Indy progression ladder to try some formula car action?”
—Reddit user. The sentiment captures doubts surrounding Deegan’s decision to leap from struggling in stock cars to attempting a demanding transition into open-wheel competition, skipping preliminary steps like USF2000 and Indy Pro 2000 that successful drivers such as Kyle Kirkwood completed.
Another perspective focused on relative challenges and exposure,
“I don’t blame her. I think I’d also rather ride around in 25th in Trucks than second to last in Indy NXT.”
—Reddit user. The practical view connects with the reality that the NASCAR Truck Series routinely offers larger fields, more television exposure on FS1, and visible pathways toward the Cup Series, something less attainable in the smaller and less popular Indy NXT paddock.
A third fan recommended a different route,
“Figured this was going to happen, considering that Hailie Deegan has been uncompetitive in Indy NXT. However, think she’s better off going to ARCA or CARS Tour before making a national series return.”
—Reddit user. This suggestion aligns with Deegan’s past success in ARCA and recognizes the CARS Tour’s value in sharpening short-track racing skills, areas where top drivers like Ty Gibbs and Corey Heim developed before advancing to NASCAR’s upper divisions.
Another voice noted Deegan’s brand power and suggested a new manufacturer alignment,
“Is her Ford deal done with? Would be a solid move for either Toyota or Ram from a brand perspective. She’s clearly the best female driver in NASCAR in the last few years, and we know brands care about that. It was definitely a mistake for her to move to open wheel racing, so would be interesting to see her come back and start back at the bottom with a bit more drive and maturity.”
—Reddit user. This take highlights how Deegan’s impact as a high-profile female driver in NASCAR, especially after Danica Patrick’s departure, holds commercial and promotional appeal, potentially drawing attention from manufacturers like Toyota or Ram if her Ford connections are at an end.
One more commenter shed light on Kaulig Racing’s interest,
“It’s Kaulig trucks. They wanted Toni but she said no, Rubusto but she said no. They want a female driver in a truck. Hailie has sponsorship.”
—Reddit user. Kaulig’s push to secure a marketable female presence for its five-truck operation, after being turned down by young talents Toni Breidinger and Isabella Robusto, positions Deegan as a leading candidate based on available sponsorship and visibility.
The response from the NASCAR fan base remains anything but tepid. Fans have not hesitated to blend sarcasm, pragmatism, and critical insight as they assess whether a return to Trucks would revitalize Deegan’s career or simply expose her to another round of on-track struggle. The observations also point to the importance of sponsorship and market appeal in shaping the next steps in her journey.
Historical performance and shifting alliances in Deegan’s career
Looking back, Deegan’s early career shimmered with promise, particularly after three ARCA Menards Series West victories and consistent showings on the national ARCA circuit. However, the leap to the Truck Series revealed the steep challenges of top-tier NASCAR, as Deegan was unable to crack the top 15 in the season standings through two years with DGR and one with ThorSport.
Despite marketing might, including backing from Monster Energy and Craftsman, sustained on-track struggles led her first to Xfinity and, after a mid-season separation with AM Racing, to open-wheel ambitions in Indy NXT. The latter move proved to be a difficult adjustment, as Deegan posted only mid-pack results, finding herself outmatched by open-wheel specialists and the unfamiliar machinery. During this time, manufacturers such as Ford that once championed her progression may have reduced their involvement, potentially opening the door for a new team or a switch to Toyota or Ram.
Comparable stories in NASCAR, like Zane Smith’s rise from average Truck results to a 2022 championship and eventually a Cup Series opportunity, demonstrate both the risks and rewards of perseverance at this level. Other drivers, such as Ty Gibbs, fine-tuned their skills with extended runs in ARCA before leaping to higher series, while Corey Heim and Carson Kvapil took developmental detours that paid off with wins and advancement.
The broader implications for NASCAR and women in motorsports
If Deegan does make a comeback in the NASCAR Truck Series, her path will be closely watched for what it says about the dynamics of talent development, manufacturer loyalties, team strategies, and the ongoing demand for visibility and marketability in motorsports. She would join a small group of women who have raced competitively in national NASCAR divisions in recent years, among them Danica Patrick and Toni Breidinger, putting a renewed spotlight on the push for greater diversity in the sport.
Brands looking to connect with young fans and promote inclusion may see Deegan’s possible return as a way to leverage her status as a recognizable and marketable figure. However, her performance on the track will be the ultimate test—both for her career’s direction and for the teams considering her as a potential driver for 2026 and beyond.
As fan forums and social media threads continue to debate whether Deegan’s next step is a comeback in the making or a gamble destined to repeat old struggles, industry attention will remain fixed on team announcements, sponsorship decisions, and the shifting alliances that shape NASCAR’s Silly Season.
With the future of Hailie Deegan’s racing career hanging in the balance, every move—from her selection of teams to the manufacturers willing to back her—will be scrutinized. NASCAR fans, industry insiders, and sponsors are watching closely as the rumor mill swirls, poised to see if the next chapter marks a personal redemption or yet another risk that fails to pay off.
