Fans Surprisingly Back Hailie Deegan’s IndyCar Move Despite Disastrous Test Runs

Hailie Deegan is an enigma for most people. She might not be the best driver out there. However, she has the conviction of following her dreams, unapologetically. Imagine, this. when the world moves from Indy to NASCAR, she dares to go against the current. She is vulnerable, she is human, and she can fall, dust herself, and get back up. She is relatable.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that even though she has poor test runs in IndyCar, fans support her. She is following her dreams, after all, from when she was 18 and had just seen the open-wheel race cars.

A month ago, Hailie Deegan had the chance to be a part of a few test runs before her debut in IndyNXT. During the session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Deegan recorded a time of 1:18.9038, finishing last among the competitors. This was only her second time driving an open-wheel car, leading to considerable criticism from fans. However, Deegan embraced the experience and expressed optimism about making improvements in the future.

“First time at Indianapolis in general so it’s a lot to take in at once these cars are very very fun to drive. Very different from what I’m used to. I drove an open-wheel car one other time. This track is so iconic. So surreal, there is so much history that’s happened here. Just to be here driving, testing, practicing is great,” she said. Open-wheel racing and stock car racing are fundamentally different in more ways than one, including speed, handling, and grip. It’s uncommon for someone to excel at open-wheel racing on their second attempt. Nonetheless, Deegan is committed to mastering the skill. “I think the open wheel side there are so many different nuances in this world in itself. So just having everyone teach all that. I feel there is so much more data and resources to go off of, stuff you can utilize, and learning how to utilize it to its fullest potential is what I’m gonna have to learn,” Deegan added.

Cut to a month later, Deegan posted an image from her race in the Formula Regional Americas Championship. It’s a single-seater open-wheel racing series meant to serve as the starting point to an eventual racing career in IndyCar or Formula 1. For Deegan, participating in the series was a no-brainer since it gave her more time in a high-downforce car.

The result was a massive improvement from her tests in IndyCar. She was able to muster an 11th-place finish in the first half of the race at COTA and managed to score a point in the championship with her 10th-place finish in the second round. It meant her commitment to constantly working to improve in open-wheel racing paid off. It also silenced fans who once lashed out at the driver after she made the switch to IndyNXT.

This time around, they showed Deegan with love on her newest Instagram post captioned, “Days like this 🫶,” with an image of FRAC car.

What do fans say about Hailie Deegan’s move to IndyCar and her performance at the test runs?

However, when she shared a picture of her new ride yesterday, fans were supportive. One said, “38, let’s go can’t wait for this season see you in Saint Pete you are someone who I have always looked up to.” Although the number doesn’t have a special reason for Hailie Deegan, she did use it on two occasions. The first time she ran a #38 was in the Camping World SRX Series, where she managed a pole position. Following that, she used it during her Formula Regional Americas Championship debut, finishing within the top 10. Perhaps the number can become the lucky charm she needs for success in the world of open-wheel racing.

While the test run was recent, fans will have to wait for a while before they see Deegan behind the wheel in an IndyNXT race. The first race in the series is a few months away, taking place in March 2025, in St. Petersburg, Florida. One fan, barely able to wait, said, “Can’t wait to see you out there racing.”

Nathaniel Jacob “Nate” Hamilton, who previously went by the name Renegade Bull, is an American YouTuber and oversees the channels Renegade Media Group and Renegade Faction. He also commented on the post saying, “Was good to see ya out there!” What struck fans was just how well Deegan took to the IndyCar Series. It’s worth noting that even though she hasn’t participated in any major open-wheel racing series, Deegan is not unfamiliar with the format. Her extensive background in karting over the years will likely benefit her as she embarks on her journey in Indy NXT.

Then there was someone who actually applauded her for moving away from NASCAR, “Glad to see you get away from NASCAR. NASCAR will never have the prestige that open-wheel racing has! Lookin forward to watching you in 2025! Hope you and your family have a very blessed holiday season!” While it’s quite common for drivers to move from IndyCar to NASCAR—like Tony Stewart did—Hailie Deegan is heading in the opposite direction. Despite the perception that NASCAR boasts greater popularity, Deegan felt that Indy NXT was her best opportunity at this stage in her career. After her recent test run, some fans were skeptical of her choice, especially since the results didn’t meet expectations. However, Hailie remains confident in her abilities and stands by her decision and so do the fans after the test run. One went as far as saying, “She belongs in here, not in NASCAR.”

How do you feel about Hailie’s chance in Indy NXT?