Hailie Deegan’s NASCAR run was filled with history-making moments, controversies, and a steep learning curve. Having made her debut in 2018, the 22-year-old announced her move to the 2025 IndyCar NXT season with HMD Motorsports. Although she had an inconsistent NASCAR record, she did impress on the racetrack many times and is seen as one of the most popular racers in America. However, her move to open-wheel racing raises the question of whether the deck is stacked against female drivers in NASCAR.

For decades, NASCAR has faced scrutiny for its apparent gender disparity, with only a handful of women breaking into the top tiers of the sport. In fact, only 20 women have competed in the Cup Series since Sara Christian’s debut in 1949. Over the years, female drivers have been hampered by a lack of funding and the absence of a well-defined developmental pathway to reach the top. This led Hailie Deegan’s father Brian to claim that women racers weren’t treated on the same level as their male counterparts, even suggesting that NASCAR isn’t ready for a successful female racer. However, Kenny Wallace isn’t in agreement.

Schrader and Wallace weigh in

Historically, NASCAR has had few female standouts. Apart from Christian, Janet Guthrie, who broke into stock car racing in the 1970s, paved the way for more recent names like Danica Patrick and Hailie Deegan. Despite these trailblazers, victories and becoming a household name remain elusive. Danica Patrick’s Daytona 500 pole in 2013 and occasional strong runs stood as rare bright spots. Against this backdrop, Brian Deegan’s words struck a chord with skeptics and supporters alike. However, former NASCAR driver and analyst Ken Schrader has other opinions.

On Saturday, Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader discussed Hailie Deegan’s move to Indy NXT and his father’s comments on female drivers in NASCAR. Speaking on the *Herm & Schrader* podcast, Wallace didn’t mince words, asking Schrader about Brian Deegan’s statement: “Brian said, ‘I don’t think NASCAR is ready for a successful girl race car driver.’ What do you think? You know that’s a dad saying that about his daughter.”

Schrader’s response was emphatic: “No, I don’t believe that. I’ve thought about it some, but I don’t think so. NASCAR’s ready for whoever the next successful driver is. I gotta believe that there is nothing that Daytona Beach would like better than for a female to be climbing out with some consistency of these vehicles in Victory Lane. Who wouldn’t want that? I mean, that would be huge.”

Schrader mentioned that the barriers to success in NASCAR aren’t about gender but rather the difficulty of reaching the top level in motorsports. Funding is hard to come by in NASCAR and even more so for female drivers. Amber Balcaen, who became the first Canadian woman to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race in the U.S. in 2016, said her biggest accomplishment was landing a sponsorship with RV product manufacturer ICON Direct. However, the pathway to get to NASCAR isn’t easy for any gender according to Schrader.

“There are thousands of good racers throughout the country, but only a small percentage make it to Cup, Xfinity, or Trucks. And even fewer frequent Victory Lane.” Schrader agreed, highlighting the statistical odds stacked against all drivers, not just women: “Now, if we take all those thousands of drivers, then just focus on the female ones, the chances are just… statistically lower. But that doesn’t mean they can’t succeed.”

Hailie Deegan’s career: A bumpy road

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At the heart of this debate lies Hailie Deegan, who has been navigating a turbulent career. Once hailed as a rising star in NASCAR, Deegan’s journey has been fraught with challenges. Her early success in the K&N Pro Series, where she claimed three wins between 2018 and 2019, showcased her potential. However, her transition to higher levels of stock car racing has been anything but smooth.

Deegan’s stint in the NASCAR Truck Series was disappointing, with only five top-10 finishes across three full-time seasons. A move to the Xfinity Series in 2024 with AM Racing offered a fresh start, but the results were similarly underwhelming. Despite flashes of potential, Deegan struggled to secure consistent finishes, averaging 26.82 across 17 races. Her best performance, a 12th-place finish at Talladega, was marred by a lack of support from her Ford teammates.

While her short truck series career could be attributed to an underwhelming team, the struggles continued in Indy NXT, where she faced a steep learning curve. Deegan’s debut was a tough outing, finishing last in a test session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While open-wheel racing presented new challenges, her performance showed little improvement initially. However, a switch to Formula Regional Americas late in 2024 marked a turning point.

Driving for Toney Driver Development, Deegan began to find her footing. At the Circuit of the Americas season finale in November, she delivered solid performances, including an 11th-place finish in her first race and a top-10 result on a wet track in the second. Deegan’s improved pace and confidence hinted at a potential revival. Reflecting on her progress, she said: “It’s a big learning curve, so much different than anything I’ve ever done before. But I’m gaining so much experience and learning every race.”

The debate over NASCAR’s readiness for a successful female driver isn’t likely to fade soon. As Deegan and other women continue to push boundaries, the sport must grapple with how it supports and nurtures diverse talent. If Hailie Deegan’s career proves anything, it’s that resilience and adaptability remain key to breaking through in motorsport, no matter the odds.