Hailie Deegan explains the real motive behind IndyNXT move after NASCAR axing
Ex-NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Hailie Deegan has explained the reason for her decision to get into the IndyCar via IndyNXT.
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Hailie Deegan (Via IMAGO)
When Hailie Deegan got the opportunity to race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with AM Racing, many expected her to re-establish herself as the racing prodigy she was projected to be despite the three poor season in the Truck Series. But things didn’t go as expected for the racer, as she was forced part ways with AMR over poor form.
Hailie Deegan was replaced just before the Chicago Street race and was put in a trough place, as she had to make a crucial decision about her career. She made the call to the switch career to the open wheel scene and has a landed a seat with HMD Motorsports in 2025 in the IndyNXT series, the development series of IndyCar. She explained the motive behind the move in a recent interview with Dirty Mo Media.
.@HailieDeegan opens up about her mindset as she gears up for her move from stock car racing to IndyNXT. ?️ pic.twitter.com/NcAKyCPWqg
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) October 23, 2024
I kind of was just poking around, talking a little bit. A few people that like I grew up go-karting with and like just kind of asking questions and seeing it out. I was like, ‘Let’s go to the IndyCar race at Iowa. Let’s go check it out. Why not.’ Just kind of to see what it’s all about and when we started weighing out me as a driver, like my pros and cons [and] my best qualities in my driving are.
Hailie Deegan told Dirty Mo Media.
She pointed out that when she weighed in on her bet’s aspects, she found that she is always good in the open tracks and road courses. Her best qualifying runs coming in the road courses and her impressive IMSA runs, made her to choose a career in the IndyNXT series, hoping to make it into the top-tier soon.
Like, I like high grip stuff. I like places, tracks here are wide open a lot. I love road courses. Besides this past year, some of my best runs have been on road courses and best overall. Best qualifying and all that. The IMSA stuff on top of that, I did good on that side. So, I was like, ‘Man, maybe we should really look at this avenue.’
Hailie Deegan added.
Hailie Deegan calls out NASCAR drivers’ dramatic claims
In an interview with Kenny Wallace this week, Deegan took a shot at the NASCAR drivers about claims of the car being too hot while racing. She pointed out that the drivers make a big dela out of it despite the fact that they have the cool suit helping them.
Training is a huge part. I’d say it’s 60 percent of their racing. And so, I like that that’s actually utilized where NASCAR is not. Like in NASCAR, you don’t have to be in shape in any sort of form as much as people want to say, ‘Oh, it’s hot. It’s hot.’ You have air conditioning in a cool suit. Calm down… Everyone is very dramatic in that sense on the NASCAR side.
Hailie Deegan said.
One of the many reasons why Hailie Deegan doesn’t feel the same level discomfort is the fact that she is one of the fittest racers on the grid. She is now re-constructing her career in the IndyCar and the fitness aspect will be a great benefit for them.
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