HAILIE DEEGAN Shows Growth in Indy NXT After Bold NASCAR-to-Open-Wheel Switch

August 22, 2025

by Neha Dwivedi // from thesportsrush.com

• HAILIE DEEGAN made the gutsy call to leave NASCAR’s grinding disappointment behind for open-wheel racing, and it’s paying off. After four brutal seasons that netted just five top-10s in 85 starts across NASCAR’s lower tiers, she’s found her footing in Indy NXT with HMD Motorsports. Sitting 17th in points with consistent top-20 finishes through 12 races, including an impressive 11th at Laguna Seca, she’s proving that sometimes you need to completely change the game to find your groove.
• While we’re watching other drivers chase any sponsor with a checkbook, DEEGAN is drawing hard lines about who she’ll work with. She’s turning down deals that don’t align with her values, refusing to fake enthusiasm for products she wouldn’t actually use. Her partnership with Monster Energy makes sense—she’s a self-described caffeine addict who actually drinks the stuff. It’s refreshing to see someone prioritize authenticity over quick cash in a sport where drivers often become walking billboards for brands they’ve never heard of.
• The physical demands of IndyCar are pushing DEEGAN to evolve as an athlete in ways NASCAR never required. She’s focusing heavily on strength and conditioning, recognizing that open-wheel racing demands peak fitness compared to stock cars. With two races left in her debut Indy NXT season—Milwaukee Mile on August 24 and Music City Grand Prix on August 31—she’s building the foundation for what could be a legitimate path to IndyCar. Sometimes the best career move is admitting what isn’t working and having the courage to start over.

hmd motorsports, indy nxt, milwaukee mile, monster energy