Hailie Deegan is shifting her professional racing focus from NASCAR stock cars to open-wheel competition by joining the Indy NXT series in 2025, defying her father Brian Deegan’s suggestion that she enter the F1 Academy instead. The 23-year-old driver recently completed her first Indy NXT test with HMD Motorsports at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and is set to compete full time in the IndyCar development series next year.
Brian Deegan, a legendary X Games medalist and patriarch of a racing family, had hoped Hailie would join the female-only F1 Academy launched by Formula One Group in 2023. Despite his recommendation, Hailie decided she needed more experience in open-wheel cars before joining that series, leading to her commitment to Indy NXT rather than the F1 Academy’s path.
The Legacy of the Deegan Family in Motorsports
Brian Deegan’s impact in motorsports extends beyond his own success in freestyle motocross, where he earned 16 X Games medals. His elder son, Haiden, is pursuing motocross like his father, while Hailie has established herself in four-wheel racing disciplines. She launched her stock car career in 2018 through the K&N Pro Series, progressing through ARCA Menards, NASCAR Truck Series, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series over six years. Her departure from AM Racing midway through the 2024 season marked a turning point as she searched for new opportunities on the race track.
Brian Deegan’s Perspective on Hailie’s Career Path
Brian Deegan openly discussed his daughter’s future racing options in a recent interview with RACER, expressing both concern and support for her ambitions. When asked if Hailie wanted to keep racing, Brian confirmed:
“I’ve asked her if she really wants to continue racing or does she want to move on. She wants to race. Like I said, it’s a tough road, and it would be cool to see her get more support as a young female racer.” —Brian Deegan, racing icon and father
Regarding the possibility of her joining the F1 Academy, Brian added:
“I really wanted her to go do the F1 Academy deal that they were doing with the girls there. I thought that was a cool opportunity. Maybe she will. I don’t know. She felt like she needed to get some more open-wheel seat time before she did that, which I agree. She just started in it. I think give her a season there and kind of see where she is at.” —Brian Deegan, racing icon and father
Growth and Recognition of the F1 Academy
The F1 Academy has rapidly gained prominence since its launch, attracting top female talent and benefiting from its official affiliation with Formula One. The series crowned Marta Garcia as its inaugural champion in 2023, followed by Abbi Pulling in 2024. Its growing popularity is bolstered by a Netflix documentary series about the F1 Academy, which premiered internationally on May 28, making it a significant platform for female drivers worldwide. Despite these advantages, Hailie chose to pursue the more challenging route offered by Indy NXT to gain open-wheel experience first.
Indy NXT Debut and Female Representation on the Grid
After testing with HMD Motorsports in October 2024, Hailie was signed for the 2025 Indy NXT season. Initially, she was one of two female drivers on the team alongside Sophia Floersch. However, following Floersch’s departure after the first race, Hailie became the sole female racer on the Indy NXT grid for the remainder of the season, marking a rare and demanding position in the male-dominated field.
Brian Deegan’s Concerns Over High-Speed Open-Wheel Racing
Open-wheel cars in Indy NXT reach higher speeds than the stock cars Hailie previously drove, often exceeding 190 mph during races. This jump in velocity has been a source of anxiety for her father, who is protective but respects her determination. Brian described his feelings to RACER:
“It is nerve-racking. It’s scary. She’s racing an open-wheel race car at 190 miles per hour. Whether you’re in the front or the back, you’re still in a race car going that fast. It’s still dangerous! That part kind of makes me nervous, but I think as long as she enjoys it, I think it’s one shot at it, you know? She’s still real good with it.” —Brian Deegan, racing icon and father
Challenges During Hailie Deegan’s Rookie Season
Hailie’s rookie Indy NXT year has tested both her skills and resilience. She began the series with no prior open-wheel experience except for two races in the Formula Regional Americas Championship. Although her race pace has been improving, her qualifying results often place her near the back of the starting grid. Despite this, she has shown remarkable consistency by avoiding major incidents during races.
The sole exception came during a multi-car crash at the Detroit Grand Prix, a 10-car pile-up for which she was not at fault. Her ability to keep her car clean and finish races is viewed as a positive attribute during this transitional phase in her career.
Implications of Hailie Deegan’s Decision for Female Motorsports Participation
By rejecting the more structured development environment of the F1 Academy, Hailie Deegan has embraced an uncertain and demanding path through Indy NXT. Her choice underscores the challenges faced by female drivers seeking to break into traditionally male-dominated series and highlights the limited opportunities available. Her progression will be closely watched as an example for other young women contemplating careers in open-wheel racing.
Moving forward, Hailie’s performance throughout the 2025 Indy NXT season will be critical in shaping her future prospects, and she will need to continue improving her pace to compete with experienced peers. Meanwhile, her journey serves as a reminder of the pressures and difficult decisions faced by female athletes striving for success at the highest levels of motorsport.