After parting ways with Xfinity Series team AM Racing, the former NASCAR driver Hailie Deegan is now preparing to enter the world of open-wheel racing with Formula Regional Americas. The 23-year-old is set to debut with Toney Driver Development at the iconic Circuit of The Americas (COTA) for the final round of the FR Americas championship.
Deegan began racing on dirt tracks, racing Sprint cars. She then moved to racing on asphalt with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series in 2018. After gaining considerable experience with K&N Pro, ARCA Menards, and the Craftsman Truck Series, Deegan progressed to the Xfinity Series with AM Racing in 2022.
However, AM Racing decided to part ways with the Californian racer earlier this year. With no other seat left in the three NASCAR national series, Deegan went back to competing on dirt tracks with Midget cars. She also took part in testing a Formula 3 car at Putnam Park Road Course in Indianapolis, raising rumors of her quitting NASCAR altogether.
Now, ahead of the final round of the FR Americas championship at COTA from October 31 to November 3, 2024, Toney Driver Development has confirmed Deegan as one of its debuting racers. Deegan shared the news on Instagram.
"I'm beyond excited to be making my first open-wheel start at Circuit of The Americas with TDD. I have competed in a handful of races at COTA, and I am looking forward to my first open-wheel race start being at a track I'm familiar with. Standing starts will be new for me, but I'm always up for a challenge and the opportunity to continue to learn and drive,” Deegan commented in TDD's press release.
Hailie Deegan to compete in Nitrocross against Travis Pastrana and the Ken Block family
After an abrupt end to her NASCAR stint, Hailie Deegan is set to make a comeback in dirt racing in Nitrocross. The Californian will compete against the likes of motocross legend Travis Pastrana and Lucy, Mika, and Kira Block (family of late rallycross star Ken Block).
Deegan will take part in the SXS for Salt Lake City, Side-by-Side class feature races at Utah Motorsports Campus. The news was shared on the official Nitrocross page on X.
"Hailie Deegan has CONFIRMED a spot in SXS for Salt Lake City"
The races are set to take place on October 5 and 6, 2024. Apart from Pastrana, Deegan, and the Block family, the races will also feature Luke Roberts, Kory Willis, Jacob Rosales, Terry Madden, Mia Chapman, and a few others. Fans can watch the entire race weekend live on Rumble.com.