Hailie Deegan’s AM Racing future under the scanner as the NASCAR star’s recent social media activity fuels future rumors

Hailie Deegan's recent absence from the entry list of the upcoming race at the Chicago Xfinity Series event has given birth to some speculations. Moreover, #15 Deegan's recent social media activity has raised rumors in the NASCAR community.

Ahead of the 18th Xfinity Series race at Chicago Street Circuit, AM Racing announced that Team Penske's Joey Logano would replace AMR's full-time driver Deegan in the #15 Ford. With this move, AM Racing plans to bring the two-time Cup Series champion Logano's expertise for a better second half of the 2024 season.

A recent post by Dave Green on X also raised doubts about the 2023 Truck Series Most Popular Driver Deegan's future in her full-time debut run in the Xfinity Series. The two-times Craftsman Mechanic of the Year stated that the 22-year-old Deegan has removed ties of AM Racing from her social media bios. Green in his NASCAR Prophecy X handle said:

"Hailie Deegan has removed AM racing from her Twitter bio. I don’t know if she’s upset about Joey Logano racing her car this weekend or they are going their separate ways. @HailieDeegan @AMRacingNASCAR #NASCAR" Green wrote.

However, there isn't any announcement of the Californian's long-term schedule in the Xfinity Series. But one thing has become certain as NASCAR heads toward the playoff season.

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Hailie Deegan's playoff chance is out of the picture for the 2024 season

Hailie Deegan is in her first full-time season in the Xfinity Series with AM Racing. With not being able to start the regular season race at Chicago, Deegan faces a major setback in her chance to compete in the 2024 Xfinity playoffs. NASCAR rulebook states that all drivers should start the regular races of the season.

According to Fox Sports Bob Pockrass, the #15 Ford driver Deegan won't be allowed to compete in the playoffs if she gets a win later this season. She will automatically be out of contention once she misses the regular season race.

"Deegan would not be eligible to make the playoffs if she misses Chicago. A waiver wouldn’t be given in this instance. And because Logano is a Cup driver, a win wouldn’t get the team in the owners playoffs (but they do get owner points, which is important for owner standings)." Pockrass wrote.

Before her Xfinity stint, she competed full-time in the Truck Series for David Gilliland Racing and ThorSport Racing. In over 69 races driving the Trucks, she accumulated 5 five top-ten finishes.

However, Deegan has yet to capitalize on her performance in her debut season in NASCAR's second-tier division. She currently sits at P27 in the overall Xfinity Series standings. Her season-best performance was a P12 finish in Talladega and has managed to finish in the top 20 just four times after 17 starts in the 2024 Xfinity season.