Hailie Deegan wants the Truck Series season opener out of Daytona to ‘a track like Vegas’ where it’s about drivers’ skills than luck
Hailie Deegan’s best finish at Daytona is P2 from the 2020 ARCA Menards Series season opener.
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Hailie Deegan (Credits: @NASCARXfinity)
The 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck series will kick off at Daytona International Speedway with the season opener NextEra Energy 250. One of the season’s highlights is Hailie Deegan, NASCAR’s sole female driver, competing full-time for championship-winning ThorSport Racing. Friday’s event will mark her debut in the No. 1 Ford F-150.
In a recent interview with the RACER, the Ford driver pointed out that she would have liked to see the Truck series opener on a track like Vegas, where drivers’ skill is the primary factor. Daytona is considered one of the most challenging tracks to score wins, and the torturous racing here demands more luck from drivers than in any other track.
“I kind of wish it started somewhere else, like at Vegas or whatever, so it is a little bit more in the driver’s favor, and you have a little bit less luck on your side. But then again, you have to be lucky in almost every race to have everything go your way,” Deegan said.
“Daytona is the one race that you need to be extra lucky for, so I think starting off at Daytona, I’m going in with just a clear mindset. I’ve talked with my crew chief Rich Lushes a lot, and we’ve set our goals of what we want to do and what our plan will be, and I’m excited about it,” Deegan added.
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Hailie Deegan is hopeful about her 2023 season
Deegan moved to ThoSport after her exit from DGR, which rebranded itself as Tricon Garage and joined TRD. Being a Ford Athlete, Deegan had no choice but to move, and while she was searching for an Xfinity series ride, the 2021 Truck Championship winning team came calling.
She has the best team and resources of her career around her now at the Ford team. Experienced campaigners Matt Crafton, Ben Rhodes, and Ty Majeski are her teammates, and veteran crew chief Rich Lashes will guide her. Deegan had to prove herself in 2023 with consistent front-row finishes and is expected to score in her first career win.
“Going into this year, my strong suit has been a mile and a half tracks. I feel like I just have a really good understanding of them. That’s where I’ve had some of my best finishes. The road courses have also been good. We are definitely shooting for the stars on these tracks,” she said.
“I know what I’m being given equipment-wise and team-wise, so I expect a lot out of myself and, being on my A-game, and getting a lot of good finishes towards the front. Honestly, I feel like I’m doing everything I can, and it motivates me to put even more work in to go above and beyond because I know I’m being given such a great opportunity,” Deegan added.
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