The Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) championship, launched by iconic racers including Tony Stewart, witnessed a heated moment in 2021 when Hailie Deegan and former IndyCar champion Paul Tracy clashed during a race at Slinger Speedway. This incident became a notable event due to Tracy’s visible frustration and subsequent departure from the track after the crash, raising questions about the competitive dynamics within the series. The Hailie Deegan SRX crash incident specifically drew attention as it involved two highly regarded racing drivers.
At the time, Deegan was establishing herself as a prominent figure in stock car racing, rising steadily through NASCAR’s ranks and often compared to pioneers like Danica Patrick. Her family background in racing brought considerable media interest, positioning her as a promising talent to watch within both traditional NASCAR and new racing platforms like SRX. Deegan, then 23, competed part-time in the SRX series, making her debut at Knoxville Speedway before the Slinger Speedway race.
During the intense competition, Deegan and Tracy collided midway through the race. Although she later approached Tracy to apologize and clarify that the spin was unintentional, Tracy responded quite harshly, expressing his disappointment over the incident:
“I’m just so frustrated with people just dumping me… Well that’s just not cool.” (16:12 onwards) —Paul Tracy
Transition in Deegan’s Career Following NASCAR Departure
After parting ways with AM Racing, Deegan’s prospects within NASCAR diminished, leading her to explore opportunities in other racing disciplines. She shifted focus to open-wheel racing and currently competes in the Indy NXT series with HMD Motorsports, where she remains the only female driver in the field. This move marks a significant turning point as she aims to carve a new path distinct from her stock car racing past.
Facing Criticism and Challenges in Indy NXT
Despite her high-profile background and strong support system, Deegan has struggled to consistently perform at the top level in Indy NXT, sitting 19th in the standings halfway through the season. This performance gap has drawn criticism from fans and commentators across social media platforms. Addressing this negativity, Deegan expressed that she doesn’t entertain opinions from those without real racing experience or success, emphasizing her focus on constructive critiques from credible drivers.
“I really don’t value anyone’s opinion unless they’re above me success-wise. So if some big name driver told me I sucked or I was terrible at this, obviously that would affect me a lot more. But people who have never done it before, it doesn’t really affect me at all. I don’t understand how people can feel like they can have an opinion about that when they’ve never done it before.” —Hailie Deegan
“At the end of the day, on the outside, I don’t know if racing is ready for a fully competitive female. Everyone says they want to push it.” —Hailie Deegan
What Lies Ahead for Deegan in Her Racing Journey
The Hailie Deegan SRX crash incident and her ongoing struggles in Indy NXT highlight the challenges she faces as she tries to break new ground in a male-dominated sport. Balancing expectations and criticism, her persistence in open-wheel racing indicates a commitment to proving herself beyond her stock car roots. How Deegan navigates this phase could influence broader perceptions about female drivers competing at high levels across motorsport disciplines.