Ambition is one thing, but shared values are another. Hailie Deegan, the only full-time female competitor in NASCAR’s three top-tier series currently, will be making a significant leap from the Truck Series to the Xfinity Series in 2024. Beyond the tricks on the track that stand as a testament to her rise, this is an achievement that is a beacon of pride for the Ford performance driver’s motocross legend-father, Brian Deegan.
The groundbreaking move was announced after a multiyear deal with AM Racing. The 22-year-old Californian has been a rising star in NASCAR ever since Deegan‘s association with Ford Performance’s development program in 2020. This alone has opened doors to various racing disciplines for Hailie, including the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, the ARCA Menards Series, the Truck Series, and finally, the Xfinity Series.
Hailie Deegan’s father Brian Deegan shares a proud message on her daughter’s newfound success
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Hailie Deegan’s promotion to the Xfinity Series comes with the backing of Ford and new sponsors Airbox and Viva Tequila Seltzer. When the news broke out of her promotion last Thursday, Hailie expressed her excitement, saying, “From the start, the team has been nothing but great to work with, and the vision that [team president] Wade [Moore] has for the team to accomplish align with my values perfectly.”
Hailie may not boast a stellar record in the Trucks, with no wins and just five top-10 finishes. However, her fan following is undeniably impressive, with millions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Her popularity remains a driving force as she continues her ascent through the NASCAR ranks. The AM Racing team, which has been fielding a single Xfinity car this year for Brett Moffitt, plans to expand to two cars next season. Their confidence in Hailie Deegan’s potential is palpable.
Brian Deegan, a motocross legend known for groundbreaking stunts, including the twisting backflip 360, proudly supports his daughter’s NASCAR journey. In a recent Instagram post, we can see the Deegan family visiting Hailie’s new race shop with AM Racing.
Brian Deegan expressed his joy and pride in the caption, “Checking out the race shop Hailie is racing out of. It’s a family-based team with good morals that want to help develop her race craft. Hard work delivers good results. We’ve come a long way from modkarts at the off-road series. We are excited to see what the future holds. Proud of you. ❤️ 💪🏻”
Hailie Deegan doesn’t have the most impressive of stats in her time in the Truck Series. So one could wonder if it was her popularity that got her the ride in the Xfinity Series. After all, Hailie’s stats don’t paint a compelling story to back up her promotion. She was 17th and 21st in her first two Truck seasons and stood 19th when the news of her promotion broke last week.
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Her average finish was 21st and 22nd in those two seasons. Her average finish so far this year is 21st with championship-caliber ThorSport Racing. She has no top-5 finishes, only five top-10s, and just two laps led in 67 career Truck Series starts.
Watch This Story | Hailie Deegan’s NASCAR Journey: A Tale of Triumph and Tribulation
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AM Racing’s President reveals if the decision had anything to do with Hailie Deegan’s fan following of
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AM Racing’s President, Wade Moore, offered insight into the decision-making process. While Hailie undoubtedly has a massive following, Moore emphasizes that her popularity is only part of the story. He revealed that getting to know Hailie personally was key in making this decision. Talking to FOX Sports, he admitted, “Obviously, she has such a brand of following, but I don’t think that really tells the whole story of who she is until you really get to spend that time with her.
“We found out really quickly that she is just a very driven and passionate person. And it doesn’t just pertain to driving race cars. Everything that she approaches in her life, she’s typically very emotionally invested. So when you have someone that cares about things as much as she does, we can figure the rest out,” Moore concluded.
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So, do you think Hailie Deegan will be able to step up her game in Xfinity? Share your thoughts and predictions with us in the comments below.
READ MORE: Hailie Deegan’s Latest Shocking Entry Threatens Former Truck Series Champion Contention in the Xfinity Series
