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Hailie Deegan has had a hard 2024 racing season. Fans who once cheered her on when she made the jump from motorsports to the NASCAR Xfinity Series will wonder what happened when she was with AM Racing.

Deegan was successful in ARCA, and then moved to the Truck Series and made her Xfinity Series debut in 2024 with AM Racing’s No.15 Ford. The transition was tough: she had four top 20s in 17 races, and her highest finish was 12th at Talladega. But her rookie season came to an early close when the team unceremoniously parted ways with her in July.

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A New Challenge in the Trans Am Series

Hailie Deegan
Credit: Sports Update 24 via Youtube

After her NASCAR season ended early, Hailie Deegan joined the Trans Am Racing Series to turn things around. She raced in the SpeedTour All-Star event at Lime Rock Park alongside NASCAR legends Bobby Labonte, Greg Biffle, and Ken Schrader. But her challenges continued in this new series.

During the race, it recently emerged that the 23-year-old driver fought hard against Labonte until she lost focus, went off track, and collided with Davey Jones’ car. Neither was seriously damaged, but the incident spotlighted the pressure and errors Deegan has lived with in 2024. The accident was likened to the Cars movie battles by fans, but it was another tough moment in what has been a difficult season for Deegan.

Mixed Reactions to Her Future

With 2024 coming to an end, Hailie Deegan is making a bold move and switching to open-wheel racing for 2025. HMD Motorsports confirmed on Oct. 14 that she’ll compete in the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone series. This decision to move into a completely different discipline has not been well received.

Some critics compared this move to her past and believe that she will not be able to face other drivers who are so experienced. For others, it’s the opportunity for the young driver to get a clean sheet in a field that is more focused on talent and flexibility. Joining a team so good at grooming young talent could provide her with the support she’ll need to succeed.

But Deegan’s 2024 has been the hardest year of his career so far and the real test remains in INDY NXT. Will the challenges continue for her, or can she bounce back in open-wheel racing?

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