From being ejected from AM Racing in her debut season to now being linked to the Haas Factory team, Hailie Deegan’s Xfinity career has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride. However, a lot of things need to fall into place for Deegan to make her comeback to NASCAR racing at the Xfinity level.

For starters, she needed a team where a driver was either being dropped or promoted. The latter prevailed, with Cole Custer being announced as the Haas Factory Team driver for the 2025 season. The defending Xfinity Series champion will pilot the No. 41 Ford for Gene Haas’ new venture after partying ways with Tony Stewart.

The rumor mills were already reading between the lines ever since Custer was slated to return to Cup racing. And how this move would leave the door open for Hailie Deegan to make her comeback. But, the rumor was confirmed by HFT COO Joe Custer while announcing his son’s new role at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Reacting to the links with Deegan, Custer said, “Yes, we’ve spoken with her. Obviously, she was with one of our technical partners, so that’s a challenge, right? To see what the future is with her. We believe there’s more in her, and we want to be part of that, but that’s for future conversations.”

It’s no secret that a lot of NASCAR fans have been unimpressed by Deegan’s showings in her rookie season. Therefore, they were baffled to see the driver being linked to a championship-contending team like Haas Factory Team. In no time, they shared their verdict on this development, questioning the logic and reasoning on the team’s part to consider her.

Fans react to Hailie Deegan being linked to HFT

One of the big factors that still moves the needle in favor of drivers when it comes to seat in a team is sponsorship money. In that aspect, Deegan is well-backed by Monster Energy. However, this fan couldn’t comprehend that despite her woes this season, she is genuinely in the running to bag herself a new opportunity for the 2025 season. “How many chances is she going to get 🤦🏻‍♂️.I guess if you bring a FAT checkbook anything can happ..”

Zero wins in the Craftsman Truck Series in her three-year stint. A dismal 2024 year where she ran at the tail end of the field and ultimately was sacked by her own team. The criteria for a team to sign a driver were believed to be skill and results, but in Deegan’s case, none of that mattered, according to a Reddit user, “Failing upward. The nascar way.”

This move would also prove detrimental to Harrison Burton’s hopes of finding seat time in the lower series after being replaced by Josh Berry at Wood Brothers Racing. Burton was rumored to replace Custer in the No. 00 car. “Harrison Burton will be working at Texas Roadhouse next year.”

Adding to the silly season drama, some even predicted what the two-driver lineup would like for the Haas Factory Team in the Xfinity Series. “I see Preece and Deegan in the 2 cars. Custer to the 00 Cup car and Herbst to 23XI.”

Conspiracy theories have never been away from NASCAR racing. In this instance, this fan believed that it was Ford who was pulling the strings, trying to keep Deegan’s career afloat with HFT. “No one wants her, but Ford gave Gene Haas a million dollar check to keep this failed experiment going for another season.”

As far as Hailie Deegan is concerned, she just might have a genuine shot to announce herself back on the NASCAR stage.