The prospect of a Hailie Deegan MHR 2026 return has caught fans and pundits off guard, as neither party had been strongly linked before, nor were rumors swirling about such a move. Over recent seasons, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) has transformed from mid-tier Truck Series competitors into genuine playoff contenders, highlighted by Eckes enjoying one of the most dominant seasons in truck series history.
Deegan’s Recent Racing Struggles and Reflection
Recently, Hailie Deegan transitioned to Indy NXT, racing for HMD, where her stint was less successful than anticipated. While she achieved her best result at Laguna Seca with an 11th-place finish, it was well below the standard set by a team that placed second in the overall championship. After this challenging period, Deegan appears ready to move back to her NASCAR roots, despite her previous difficulties in the sport’s top three divisions.
During her final Truck Series campaign with title-winners Thorsport, Deegan earned just two top-ten finishes. Later, during her Xfinity stint with AM, she was released mid-season after failing to score a single top ten. In the seasons after her departure, AM secured 21 top tens and made playoff appearances with Harrison Burton, illustrating a clear turnaround. Currently, MHR is enjoying moderate success, with drivers like Hemric and Ankrum each netting a victory and securing playoff spots, while the team overall remains inconsistent.
Rookie Connor Mosack is 14th in points, with three top-ten finishes but no top fives, and Jack Wood, a part-time driver participating in most races, sits at 19th with one top ten. MHR is still in the process of solidifying its driver development approach and has not yet demonstrated the capacity to elevate drivers whose track records were previously questioned, such as Mosack and Wood. This situation raises significant questions about whether MHR would be the right environment for Deegan to relaunch her NASCAR career, or if, given her results, NASCAR remains the right fit at all.
Uncertainty Surrounds Deegan’s Future with MHR
There has been no official or widely-reported confirmation of a deal for a Hailie Deegan MHR 2026 return, with credible sources providing little beyond mention and no public updates since. Deegan has not commented on whether she intends to leave HMD or if a continued presence in Indy NXT is even being considered. Equally, there are no known discussions involving Deegan and teams other than MHR at this stage.
The one link between Deegan and a potential MHR union is her appeal as a marketable driver who brings sponsorship, a trait she shares with Mosack, Wood, and Ankrum—current drivers whose sponsorships are valued by the team. This financial support could be a deciding factor for MHR, which has previously taken chances on drivers fitting this profile.
Evaluating a Return: Does It Make Sense?
The notion of Deegan rejoining MHR raises questions about her prospects for success, given her recent performances and challenges. Past races have highlighted a visible shift in her driving style and mindset, particularly during her time at Thorsport. After qualifying fifth but getting caught in an early crash, Deegan’s approach seemed to change for the worse. Rich Lushes, her crew chief that year, shared insights from a Sirius XM interview:
“He expected her to be more aggressive and not to take anything from anyone.” – Rich Lushes, Crew Chief
Through radio communication during the first Las Vegas race of the year, Lushes consistently urged Deegan to show more urgency and aggression after she dropped from fifth to 23rd by the end of the first stage. Key moments of the race illustrated how a pivotal incident—when Holmes and teammate Rhodes pushed her into a three-wide situation right as the race began—was met with a passive response, as she held her line rather than fighting back.
This stands in contrast to her earlier ARCA West performances, where Deegan earned comparisons to Dale Sr. for her aggressive moves and late-race passes. The shift from assertive competitor to a more passive presence has been apparent, and unless this issue is resolved, there is concern that Deegan could continue to struggle in NASCAR as she did in 2023.
The Road Ahead for Deegan and MHR
As speculation grows around a potential Hailie Deegan MHR 2026 return, the future is anything but certain. MHR’s current driver lineup and development track record suggest that a return would come with significant risks, both for Deegan’s career and the team’s competitive aspirations. The lack of formal reports or solid rumors makes it clear that, for now, the possibility remains highly speculative. The coming months will be critical, as both Deegan and MHR weigh the professional risks and rewards of such a move, and the outcome could influence the landscape of NASCAR’s Truck Series for 2026 and beyond.
