Hailie Deegan to make IndyNXT debut with HMD Motorsports in 2025

NASCAR star Hailie Deegan is set to move to single seaters in 2025, joining HMD Motorsports for her rookie Indy NXT campaign.

Photo credits: Connexions

Stockcar racing star Hailie Deegan is set to make the transition to single seater competitions in 2025, as she joins IndyCar's feeder series Indy NXT in 2025 at the wheel of the #38 HMD Motorsports-operated full season entry.

After competing in dirt racing as well as stock cars, the 23 year old will therefor start a new chapter in her motorsport career.

“I am excited about the opportunity and look forward to working with a proven program in HMD Motorsports,” explained Deegan. “I have much to learn, but I am ready to go. The team brings a wealth of knowledge for me to pull from, and I look forward to soaking up as much of that as possible before my race debut next March in St. Petersburg.”

Deegan will make her debut behind the wheel of the Indy NXT Dallara at the collective test on October 18th at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, her preparation for this big step in one of the world's most competitive junior open wheel championship is well underway, as she has previously tested in Formula Regional machinery and is set to make her racing debut in formula cars later this month in the final round of the Formula Regional Americas season at COTA.

Hailie comes into the series with a wide motorsport experience, starting from dirt racing to her groundbraking victories in NASCAR K&N Pro Series, which put her name on the radar of the biggest names in the stock car scene.

Deegan joined the ARCA Menards series in 2019, scoring a top five in a part time campaign, before her first full time season in 2020 where she finished third in the standings.

She switched full time to NASCAR Truck in 2021 - where she would contest three seasons with five top-10 finishes, and a best result of sixth on two occasions.

After a one off in the 2022 Las Vegas round - where she collected a brilliant P13 on debut - Deegan stepped up to the Xfinity Series in 2024. However she endured a challenging season, halting this experience mid way through the year.

The move to road racing, however, will not represent a complete novelty for Deegan, as she has contested select rounds of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge aboard the Ford Mustang GT4 in 2020 and 2023 - often showing great speed.

She will now join Caio Collet, Josh Pierson, Tommy Smith, and Bryce Aron at HMD Motorsports.

“Hailie, and especially the Deegan name, are huge in motorsports, and we welcome them to the HMD Motorsports family,” said Team President Mike Maurini. “Hailie has already been out to the shop and is taking the move to open-wheel racing seriously."

"She is looking for a place in the Indianapolis area to be emersed with the team and is already working with her engineer. We want to make sure she and all the other HMD Motorsports drivers are as ready as possible for every on-track session.”