HAILIE DEEGAN Conquers First IndyCar Race Despite Physical Challenges

March 6, 2025

by Sumedha Mukherjee // from www.essentiallysports.com

• HAILIE DEEGAN made her IndyCar debut at St. Petersburg after a challenging transition from NASCAR, where her 2024 Xfinity season yielded zero top-tens across 17 starts. The 23-year-old admitted feeling “so out of place” and “jittery” heading into her first qualifying session, starting from the back of the grid after struggling in practice sessions.
• Despite the steep learning curve from stock cars to open-wheel precision racing, DEEGAN delivered on her primary goal of survival and progress. She navigated the chaos-filled 45-lap race cleanly, avoiding multiple crashes that claimed other competitors while making strategic on-track passes to gain positions throughout the event.
• The physical demands hit hard – DEEGAN finished 14th on the lead lap but emerged with a visibly swollen right forearm from wrestling an IndyCar without power steering for the first time. She called it “by far the hardest form of racing I’ve ever been a part of” and emphasized the need for increased gym time to handle the physical challenges ahead.

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