"NASCAR as a whole is gruesome" - Hailie Deegan speaks out on AM Racing exit while shifting focus to IndyCar
Hailie Deegan shared her ‘gruesome’ experience racing in NASCAR as she transitions from stock cars to open-wheel racing. The ex-Xfinity Series driver believes the hectic schedule in NASCAR was taking a toll on her, hence the decision to move to Indy NXT next year.
Deegan is a 23-year-old American racing driver who drove for AM Racing in the Xfinity Series before the team dropped her earlier this year. She then signed with HMD Motorsports and will be driving the No. 38 car in the Indy NXT series next year.
Speaking with Kenny Wallace, Deegan talked about her tough experience in NASCAR, saying:
“I had a lot of weight on my shoulders, for sure, this year, Like it was tough. And I feel like it was a big burden and now like to have something so new and fresh in the Indy NXT side.” [24:17]
The three-time LOORRS champion applauded the crews racing in NASCAR amid a ‘gruesome’ schedule.
“I think NASCAR as a whole like, yes it is gruesome. I don’t know how those crew guys do it.”
Deegan told Kenny Wallace that crews working in NASCAR dedicate their weekends to the races. Even after the Sunday races, NASCAR crews clock in early to work on Monday. The Xfinity Series, which she previously raced in, holds 33 race weekends in a year.
As a former NASCAR driver, Wallace agreed. Deegan responded by saying she would have more time to work on herself in the more relaxed 14-race schedule in Indy NXT.
“That was another selling point for me on the Indy side is like I am going to have time to work on myself throughout the year because the races, there’s only 14 races throughout the whole season.” [25:11]
Deegan is set to become the fifth driver for HMD Motorsports next year. She will run alongside teammates Caio Collet, Josh Pierson, Tommy Smith, and Bryce Aron.
Hailie Deegan reflected on her first outing in an open-wheel car
Following the Chris Griffis Memorial Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Hailie Deegan shared what it’s like being behind the wheel of an open-wheel car. Despite finishing at the bottom of the rankings, the former stock car racing driver had fun learning the ins and outs of open-wheel racing.
Per Bob Pockrass on X (formerly Twitter), Deegan said:
“First time at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in general, so it's definitely a lot to take in all 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.”
The California native added:
“This track is so iconic, so surreal. There’s so much history that has happened here. Just to be here, driving, testing, practicing, it’s great. The open-wheel side has so many different nuances to this world in itself. There’s so much more data and resources to go off of. I think learning how to utilize things to their fullest potential is what I'm going to have to learn.”
During her first Indy NXT test runs, Hailie Deegan put down 67 laps, while others crossed the 75-lap mark. She also set her best time of 1:18.9038, about four seconds off the pace.