Hailie Deegan’s racing career has taken unexpected turns in recent years, placing her in new roles across different series and providing insight into her personal pet peeves. From her early success in the K&N West Series to the challenges faced in her most recent Indy NXT campaign, Deegan’s journey has drawn attention from fans, drivers, and reporters alike.
In a 2019 conversation with Jeff Gluck, Deegan revealed she strongly dislikes when information is withheld from her, an attitude shaped by the high-pressure dynamics of motorsports. She emphasized her ability to keep secrets, but her frustration when others keep them from her.
“Yeah, that’s one thing about me. I like to know everything. I’m good at keeping secrets, but I like to know everything. I hate when people withhold information from me. It’s like the biggest thing I hate….I hate when people keep secrets from me, like, “Oh?” I won’t say anything — just tell me though!” — Hailie Deegan, Driver
Early Milestones and Proving Grounds
At the time of her 2019 interview, Hailie Deegan was progressing through her second full-time season in the K&N West Series and making select starts in the K&N East. She earned pole position at the East season opener, but an early retirement due to mechanical issues derailed her race. Still, Deegan managed to secure her second victory in K&N Pro competition and announced a six-race commitment with Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA Menards Series. That year, she also captured her first top-five ARCA finish at Indianapolis Raceway Park, reinforcing her position as one of NASCAR’s promising young drivers.
In 2020, Deegan moved to the Truck Series, rising quickly into a full-time seat the following year. Her consistent performances in the series, including multiple top-ten finishes, helped her earn recognition as the Truck Series’ Most Popular Driver—a testament to her appeal and impact among NASCAR fans and drivers.
Transition to Indy NXT and Season Results
After parting ways with AM Racing and exiting the Xfinity Series midway through 2024, Deegan sought competitive opportunities in Indy NXT, IndyCar’s developmental series. Her rookie campaign, however, proved challenging, culminating in a 14th-place finish among the full-time field and limited moments in the spotlight. Reporter Marshall Pruett noted the steep learning curve Deegan faced as she transitioned from oval and off-road racing backgrounds to the demands of road racing.
“You can teach a road racer to be an excellent oval racer, but it’s damn near impossible to take an oval racer and train them to be an excellent road racer,”
he wrote in RACER Mailbag. — Marshall Pruett, Reporter
“She tried to take her off-road and oval knowledge and add road racing to it, and there’s no doubt she could improve year by year if she wanted to make it her future, but it was never going to happen all at once in a single season of NXT. I don’t know where she’ll go next, but it isn’t NXT,”
he added. — Marshall Pruett, Reporter
Despite completing 14 starts and accumulating 202 points, Deegan did not record a top-10 finish or lead a lap during the season. Her results matched those of Tommy Smith, who finished at the bottom of the standings, highlighting how tough the series was for her as a newcomer to open-wheel racing. Throughout the campaign, Deegan consistently found herself qualifying near the rear and struggling to move forward in races, even as she attempted to leverage her strengths from off-road and oval competition.
What’s Next for Hailie Deegan?
As her time in the Indy NXT series appears to come to a close, questions arise about Deegan’s future direction within motorsports. The experience underscores both the unique technical demands of high-level road racing and the adaptability required for drivers switching disciplines. Given her previous success in NASCAR’s developmental ladder and the Truck Series, Hailie Deegan racing career may return to familiar territory or continue to break new ground in search of competitive momentum.
Her openness about the importance of communication and her drive to succeed continue to shape her path, as she navigates a career defined by resilience and change. The motorsports community, including figures such as Jeff Gluck, Marshall Pruett, and fellow drivers, will watch closely to see where Deegan’s next steps will lead.
