NASCAR News: Following contract termination, an insider sent Hailie Deegan a lifeline
Before last weekend’s Chicago Street Race, Hailie Deegan and AM Racing announced their separation, causing a major shake-up in NASCAR. Once it was known that Deegan would not be returning, veteran driver Joey Logano took over as the driver of choice. A number of other drivers have yet to be verified will also be competing. Fans started to wonder what the young female driver would do next after this event. Now, journalist Bob Pockrass has shared his thoughts.
Hailie Deegan expressed her dismay on X (previously Twitter), disclosing her crushed expectations of moving up in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a milestone for which she had assiduously trained.
“I was really excited and hopeful about moving forward in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season. I’ve been dreaming about it for years and have been working towards it. I put a lot of effort into getting ready for this when the team asked me to drive their vehicle. Regretfully, things have not worked out the way I had hoped,” Deegan said.
Reputable Fox Sports motorsports writer Bob Pockrass has now offered his opinion on Deegan’s possible career path.
On April 19, 2024, in Talladega, Alabama, Hailie Deegan, driver of the #15 AirBox Ford, watches during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway. Deegan was seated incorrectly at AM. GETTY IMAGES / James Gilbert
“To give Deegan a good chance of succeeding, it might take someone with that same affinity for risk—risk from a financial standpoint.”
“Deegan must relocate to an area where she is confident in her ability to race for a few years. Pockrass suggested that she go somewhere with a solid structure in place that would allow her to set realistic goals and progress.
“She has to go somewhere with supportive teammates—even though she had those with her truck teams, and things didn’t really get much better from them. To deal with her shortcomings, she might even require a program where she competes in a few races across a range of series, from late models to Xfinity.”
When considering Deegan’s early yet noteworthy career achievements, she can be proud of two top-10 Truck Series results and several wins in the ARCA Menards Series West.
When considering Deegan’s early yet noteworthy career achievements, she can be proud of two top-10 Truck Series results and several wins in the ARCA Menards Series West.
“Deegan was celebrated five years ago as a potential superstar who could help transform the sport,” he said.
Deegan needs a supporting cast that genuinely believes in her potential as she takes on these new challenges.
“Finding a believer—from sponsor, to owner, to crew chief—will be key to whether she can make a career out of stock-car racing.”
