Hailie Deegan Publicly Defends Disappointing Indy NXT Test Amid Piling Backlash From NASCAR Fans

Hailie Deegan, after a stint at NASCAR, has made a switch to Indy NXT (developmental series for IndyCar). The youngster was drawn to open-wheel racing back in 2019 when she was just 18. She test-drove an IndyCar at the World Wide Technology Raceway and her first comment climbing out of the car, although jokingly was, “Screw stock racing.” Back then, she was still driving in the ARCA Menards Series.

Well, six years later, she actually made a career switch to Indy NXT foraying into the world of open-wheel racing. While this move isn’t unprecedented. It is generally the other way around, like how Tony Stewart switched to NASCAR after IndyCar. Or how Josef Newgarden and Pato O’Ward have shown interest in moving to NASCAR in the future. NASCAR is regarded to be bigger than IndyCar in terms of popularity. However, for Deegan, Indy NXT at the moment seems to be the only option. Many fans even ridiculed this move after Deegan’s recent test run wasn’t as promising. Despite the backlash, the youngster has backed herself after her session.

Hailie Deegan stayed composed after a disappointing test run

Deegan’s switch came after she had a short-lived NASCAR career. Which saw three full seasons in the Truck Series and merely half a season in the 2024 Xfinity Series season. After showing promise in the ARCA West Series, where she bagged three wins, Hailie was expected to get success in NASCAR’s top divisions. However, she remained winless throughout. After she completed 17 races in the Xfinity Series, bagging a best finish of 12th place in Talladega, AM racing cut ties with her.

After some time off, the youngster is back to show her potential to the world of racing. Hailie Deegan will compete in the full 14-race schedule of the Indy Lights series, driving the No. 38 car. She will join a five-driver team at HMD Motorsports, alongside Caio Collet, Josh Pierson, Tommy Smith, and Bryce Aron. However, before that, she was part of the Chris Griffis Memorial test, which allows teams to test new drivers and cars for the upcoming season.

In the session held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Deegan clocked a time of 1:18.9038, which placed her last in the line-up. Despite her only piloting an open-wheel car for the second time ever, she received a lot of backlash from fans. However, Deegan, on the other hand, enjoyed every bit of it and is hopeful to improve post the session she said, “First time at Indianapolis in general so it’s definitely a lot to take in at once these cars are very very fun to drive. Very different from what I’m used to. I drove an open-wheel car one other time. So this is definitely a lot to take in. This track is so iconic. So surreal, there is so much history that’s happened here. Just to be here driving, testing, practicing is great.”

It is no secret how vastly different open-wheel racing is from stock racing. Be it the speed, handling, or the grip! Rarely can anyone master it on their second try. However, Deegan is determined to get a hang of it. “I think the open wheel side there are so many different nuances in this world in itself. So just having everyone teach all that. I feel there is so much more data and resources to go off of, stuff you can utilise and learning how to utilising it to it’s fullest potential is what I’m gonna have to learn,” Deegan added.

While she has not competed in any top open-wheel racing series, Deegan isn’t exactly new to the format. Her several years of karting experience are sure to aid her journey in Indy NXT.

Hailie Deegan’s karting experience

The Deegan family name is well-known in the world of Motorsports. Her father Brian Deegan is a legend in the world of Motocross, being multiple times X Games gold medalist. Even her brother Haiden Deegan is the reigning AMA Pro Motocross Championship 250 Champion. Growing up, Deegan has always been surrounded by motorcycles, ATVs, high-octane Super-trucks, and go-karts.

Amongst these go-karts seemed to have attracted her the most. After having received a trophy Kart for her eighth birthday, Deegan was quick to jump in and get her first win in 2009 at the SXS Stadium Series Trophy Kart class. After this Degan raced in the Junior 1 Karts and Junior 2 Karts until 2013. She gained a lot of success, thereby becoming the first female LOORRS champion.

In just two years, Deegan was the Modified Kart Regional Champion. Deegan still enjoys Go-Karting and hopes in one from time to time. She is very active on YouTube, posting fun videos about her life. In one of the recent videos, she clearly revealed her passion for open-wheel racing by purchasing two new go-karts. While Deegan is often compared to Dianca Patrick as the next big thing when it comes to females in Motorsports, now walking on the same path as her, maybe she can even surpass Patrick.

What do you think are Deegan’s chances in open-wheel racing? Let us know in the comments below.