What Happened to Hailie Deegan’s NASCAR Career?
What’s Happening? Hailie Deegan is leaving NASCAR after what was a difficult 2024 season. Deegan is transitioning her talents to the…
Hailie Deegan’s time in NASCAR may not be done. In an interview at IndyCar media day, the former Truck and Xfinity Series regular confirmed she is open to a return to NASCAR. However, factors out of her control could prevent that from happening.
Hailie Deegan had a tough season last year, after her Xfinity Series debut with AM Racing, she struggled throughout the early season before she and the team split mid-season. At the time most rumors suggested she was done with NASCAR. She confirmed these rumors on Oct. 14 when she signed with HMD Motorsports to race in the Indy NXT Series in 2025.
Despite her new career route, during an interview with Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, Deegan claimed she is open to a return to NASCAR, however, the financial side of the sport would factor into that opportunity.
“I mean, I wouldn’t say my NASCAR days are done. I think if there is an opportunity, if someone wants to pay for a ride, yeah, I’ll do it, but, as of now, there is… just… it’s too much money for a lot of sponsors to put to the table” – Hailie Deegan
She further clarified that sponsor dollars were a major factor in her eventual jump to open-wheel racing for 2025. “That’s something that was kind of a big factor for me,” Deegan said. “It’s hard. It’s hard to get sponsor money.”
For the majority of her career Deegan had significant support from Monster Energy. Throughout her early career, the combination of sponsor and driver became very recognizable for fans of NASCAR. However the two appeared to part ways following her 2022 Truck Series effort with David Gilliland Racing.
What’s Happening? Hailie Deegan is leaving NASCAR after what was a difficult 2024 season. Deegan is transitioning her talents to the…
Deegan is far from the only driver both in and out of NASCAR to struggle with the financial aspects of the sport. Despite a championship caliber season last year, former Joe Gibbs Racing Xfinity Series driver Chandler Smith found himself out of a ride for similar reasons at years end.
While Smith landed on his feat in the Truck Series with Front Row Motorsports, the shock of a top prospect like Smith, who was having a career year, losing a ride was a major storyline late last season. However, sponsor struggles have also affected top-level Cup Series drivers as of recent.
What’s Happening? On Saturday, NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship contender Chandler Smith confirmed that he does not have a ride for 2025….
Following the 2022 season, two time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch’s sponsor MAR’s Inc. left Joe Gibbs Racing, resulting in Busch’s departure from the team as well. While this was just a few seasons ago, JGR is now reeling from the recent loss of another long-time sponsor.
Prior to November’s Championship Race at Phoenix, Denny Hamlin announced FedEx would not return to his No. 11 in 2025. Hamlin is coming off a three win season, and while he is still at the top of his game, the exit of Busch due to a similar situation is raising questions about Hamlin’s long-term future at JGR.
While some teams are dealing with these troubles, others, like RFK Racing, have continued to bring on new partners. Sponsorship troubles are nothing new to the sport, but, it is a problem that teams and drivers are becoming more and more vocal about.
What’s Happening? Future NASCAR Hall of Famer Denny Hamlin is facing a lot of challenges entering the 2025 season. From sponsor…
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