HAILIE DEEGAN Hosts Kansas Fan Event Amid NASCAR Return Speculation for 2026

September 28, 2025

by Pranay Bhagi // from www.sportskeeda.com

• HAILIE DEEGAN made a strategic brand appearance at Kansas Speedway for the Cup Series playoff race, leveraging her partnership with Idahoan Foods to stay visible during what’s been a challenging transition year. While we love seeing her connect with fans, it’s hard not to notice this feels like damage control after her Indy NXT debut fell short of expectations.
• The 24-year-old’s switch from NASCAR to open-wheel racing with HMD Motorsports hasn’t delivered the results we hoped for – finishing 14th in points with no top-10s and a best finish of P13 at Nashville. It’s a reminder that talent doesn’t always translate seamlessly across racing disciplines, even for someone with DEEGAN’s pedigree and motorsports DNA.
• Now rumors are flying about a potential NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series return for 2026, which honestly makes sense given her Indy NXT struggles. The question is whether teams will give her another shot after her previous NASCAR stint, or if she’ll need to prove herself again in the open-wheel world – either way, we’re rooting for her to find the right fit to showcase what she can really do.

hmd motorsports, indy nxt, kansas speedway, nascar craftsman truck series