She made her asphalt, late-model debut with a pair of CARS
Super Late Model Tour starts, the rst of which came at
Tri-County Motor Speedway, then Hickory Motor Speedway.
hile still attending Rancho Christian High School, Hailie
became a NASCAR Drive for Diversity member in 2016 and
became one of nine drivers to comprise the 2017 NASCAR
Next Class.
That placed her on the fast-track to success. Her 2019 Pro Series
season saw her make her debut for the DGR-Crosley team at
the second Pro Series East race at Bristol in their No. 54 Toyota
Camry. Her rst ARCA top-ve would come weeks later at
Indianapolis Raceway Park, and she won the pole the next week
at Roseville.
Deegan has shown a rare maturity and dedication to her
craft that separates her from many of her teenage peers.
Its what made Ford come calling to pluck her from Toyotas
development driver program. Training as hard on her tness as
her driving, Deegan has shown a consistency most teenagers
cannot match.
Deegans shift to Ford also represents a family homecoming.
Her father, Brian, drove Fords as part of his decorated X Games
career, wheeling a Ford Fiesta to Rallycross gold in 2011. He
also drove Fiestas in the Global Rallycross Championship and a
Ford Raptor in the Lucas il ff-Road Series.
The ARCA slate and IMSA will bring more scrutiny, something
many might shy away from at her age. Thats just how it is.
ne person wins. Youre going to have a lot of bad days, she
admits, seeming ready to handle any adversity coming her way.
In Deegans rst season on NASCAR Pro Series est, running
for Bill McAnally Racing, she made her debut at New Smyrna
Speedway. She nished 19th, falling back slightly from her starting
position thanks to mechanical problems.
Later in the year, Hailie caught the eye of a former Sprint Cup
Series Champion, Kevin Harvick. The two fought for position
late in the race.
Harvick told Daniel McFadin of NBC Sports after the race, If
I had to pick one person to say, Alright, thats the person KHI
would want to represent and has the most potential,’ it would
probably be Hailie Deegan. She did really, really well.
For her age, Deegan has a remarkable level of racing
38 THE OFFICIAL NASCAR 2020 PREVIEW & PRESS GUIDE
experience on different surfaces and in different cars.
Deegan received her high school diploma in une of 2018
before a race at Sonoma. Adding to her day, Deegan went on
to ualify third moments after receiving her diploma. That race
completed an impressive start to her year in est Series races.
In each of her rst six races, Deegan nished top ten.
Despite all those accomplishments, the highlight of Deegan’s
season came at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track.
Deegan ualied on the pole, the rst female driver to do that
at the the 2019 Pro Series level. Her rst win was at the NAPA
Auto Parts Idaho 208. During that race, she sensed the chance
of the 2018 victory, so Deegan passed her teammate on the last
lap to win, which was the only lap she led all race long.
Deegan easily amassed Rookie of the Year honors.
At 18 years old, Deegan is one of the brightest young stars in
NASCAR, but what impresses all who meet the budding star is
the ease with which she handles her success. Comfortable in
her own skin, Deegan possesses the poise that eludes
most teens.
Scrutiny and pressure will now only increase for Deegan, but
does it seem like she would have it any other way