NASCAR is highly competitive and sometimes a brutal sport. We see a lot of young talent come and go without ever making their mark. However, some do manage to leave their mark. And Hailie Deegan has been one of those bright female talents in the sport who has been making waves in the Truck Series. But her fans are eager to see her rise to the Xfinity Series.
However, Deegan recently revealed the harsh reality behind the barrier that has hindered her progress. In an exclusive interview on NASCAR’s ‘Rubbin is Racing,’ she shed light on the singular factor that’s stopping her from making the leap to the Xfinity level. Despite the odds, Deegan’s determination and talent continue to shine as she reveals that she’s always trying to make it to the next level.
Hailie Deegan confesses that financial hurdles are preventing her from an Xfinity advancement
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Hailie Deegan, the young NASCAR Truck Series driver for Thorsport Racing, has been facing an unexpected roadblock in her racing journey. While her talent and skill are undeniable, the barrier that stands between her and a full-time spot in the Xfinity Series is financial. Deegan opened up about the daunting costs of running a season in the Truck Series. And that already amounts to nearly $2 million, if you are running in an A-Team. However, the expenses for the Xfinity Series are exponentially higher, approximately double or even more.
During the conversation, she was asked if she would consider racing in the Xfinity Series full-time. “I mean, I would hope soon,” said Deegan.
“It’s just it’s all financial side, and like, I would love to go to Xfinity, absolutely love to. I’d love to run there full-time next year. But it’s just the financial side of it and you go from these truck racing budgets of having to raise enough money sponsorship for that, and then you go to Xfinity which is about double, and if not more if you want to run.”
She emphasized that even top-tier drivers like Joey Logano, a Cup Series Champion, had to pay to compete in the Truck Series race at the Bristol Dirt track, highlighting the costly nature of the sport.
However, Deegan does have an Xfinity Series race under her belt. In her Xfinity debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Hailie Deegan finished in a respectful P13 on the lead lap.
What did Hailie Deegan have to say about her Xfinity debut?
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The 22-year-old Californian showcased her potential and determination as she secured a commendable 13th-place finish in her Xfinity Series debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This remarkable achievement marked the best finish by a woman driver in an Xfinity debut, solidifying her place in racing history.
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She reflected on her debut Xfinity race when speaking to NBC Sports. “I’d say that once we really got into that second stage to third stage, that’s when I started feeling a lot better about it. We made one change that wasn’t great and put us back a little bit. I think that once we were able to overcome that … I feel that’s when we started learning a lot.”
She said she had learned a lot from running her first race in the Xfinity Series. “I learned so much that I haven’t got it processed yet … but I’m just happy we were able to have a good run.”
Despite her success, Deegan acknowledged the challenges in securing sponsorships to run more Xfinity races. She expressed her wish to move up to the Xfinity Series full-time but admitted that financial support is essential for such a significant step.
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Her fans are eagerly waiting for her to return to the Xfinity track and the day when she will become a full-time competitor in the series. Let us know your thoughts on whether you wanna see Hailie Deegan running full-time in the Xfinity Series.