Hailie Deegan Dealt With Another Blow Amid Slipping Xfinity Dreams

It seems like there’s never a dull moment at the top of this sport. While the upper echelons of NASCAR are embroiled in rampant shenanigans on almost a daily basis, the journey to reach this prestigious destination has been anything but quiet. As aspiring drivers set their sights on the coveted Cup Series, the Xfinity Series, and the Truck Series, drama is never far behind.

The latest buzz in the gossip mill centers around ThorSport Racing, as they announced a crew chief switch for their drivers. What’s got everyone talking is that this isn’t the first time such a shakeup has occurred within the team.

Hailie Deegan in uncharted waters as Lushes Returns to Ben Rhodes

While NASCAR’s Truck Series is eyeing the Bristol Motor Speedway, a surprising crew chief change is set to shake things up. Championship-winning team, ThorSport Racing made another crew chief change and the center of this storm is none other than Hailie Deegan, one of the sport’s most popular drivers and one of the few full-time women in NASCAR today.

The 2023 season brought a new partnership for Deegan as she joined forces with crew chief Rich Lushes. Together, they tackled the No. 13 Ford garage for the opening 19 rounds of the series. However, the results were less than stellar, with only a single top-10 finish, a sixth-place spot at Texas.

Now, with just four races remaining in the season, ThorSport Racing has made the decision to bring in Brian Ross as Deegan’s new crew chief. This change is set to play out in Bristol, Talladega, Homestead, and Phoenix. Rich Lushes, on the other hand, will return to the 99 garage to work with his champion, Ben Rhodes. Rhodes and Lushes had previously clinched the 2021 NASCAR Truck Series championship and secured the runner-up position in the 2022 championship, marking two of the best seasons for Rhodes.

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It appears that ThorSport Racing had high hopes for Deegan’s 2023 campaign, aiming to replicate the success achieved with Rhodes. However, given the underwhelming performance of the Lushes-Deegan duo, the decision to part ways signals a fresh start for Deegan as she looks to finish the season strong with Brian Ross by her side, while Lushes returns to his proven partnership with Ben Rhodes.

Journey to the Xfinity Series remains elusive for Deegan

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Deegan, despite facing challenges in the Truck Series, continues to dream big and has her sights set firmly on the Xfinity Series. Her determination to climb the NASCAR ladder is fueled by her remarkable debut in 2022. Back then, Deegan made her NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in the SS-Green Light Racing No. 07 at Las Vegas, ending the race on a high note by finishing on the lead lap in 13th place. This achievement marked a historic moment in the sport, as it was the best result ever recorded by a woman in a series debut.

Since that memorable debut, Deegan has been vocal about her aspirations for a full-time ride in Xfinity. However, she also acknowledged the financial challenges that come with a full-time seat in NASCAR. In a recent episode of the Rubbin’ is Racing podcast, Deegan discussed the financial demands of the sport. She said, “I think if I was able to win in Truck Series, I wouldn’t have to worry about financial side in Xfinity I think it would definitely come with it. I think that there had been probably more sponsors knocking down the door and things like that, but obviously I gotta do that, I gotta prove myself.”

Deegan’s journey in the Truck Series has had its share of struggles, but she remains resilient and determined as she emphasized the importance of securing a win, as it would not only be a personal milestone but also a potential game-changer for her career. “I have had a struggle for the past couple of years in the truck series and I feel like we have had moments this year we’ve hit our stride gotten a couple of wrecks it starts back at Square one and going to back up like this last race at Richmond, we were so fast and a truck was so good. But having a win would definitely make my career a lot easier and probably a lot less stressful on the financial side for me.”

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With no wins under her belt and an Xfinity ride not in sight, it will be fascinating to see what magic she can brew come Bristol.