NASCAR’s Hailie Deegan Oversight on Women’s Day Triggers Backlash From Natalie Decker & Racing Fandom

Women have been involved in NASCAR since the earliest years of the sport. Only a few female participants have been recorded, but those superwomen who did take the wheel made history. The first woman to hit the track was Sara Christian, driving in the first NASCAR race in June 1949 in Charlotte. Her career-best finish was an impressive 5th place at Heidelberg Raceway. Currently, Hailie Deegan is the only woman competing full-time in a top-tier NASCAR series.

Yet Deegan was cropped out of NASCAR’s tribute to all the women working in the racing series- from drivers to pit crew and others. Her exclusion was viewed with disappointment by racing fans and another racer.

Hailie Deegan’s exclusion raises eyebrows on Women’s Day

NASCAR acknowledges the spirit of womanhood even though the sport is heavily dominated by men. A woman is yet to make a breakthrough into winning a Cup-level race. But current female drivers and their crew are tirelessly working to turn their dreams into a reality.

On their official Instagram page, NASCAR posted a tribute to all the women engaged with the racing scenario . The picture included renowned individuals like Toni Breidinger, Natalie Decker, Taylor Reimer, and others. 

The caption read: “NASCAR celebrates #InternationalWomensDay! From drivers to pit crew members to engineers and team owners, may their passion continue to inspire generations.”

However, the absence of a dominant feminine entity sparked debate among fans in the comments. Even Natalie Decker added her own take criticizing NASCAR’s selective activity. “It’s awesome to FINALLY see NASCAR post faces of the women in the sport BUT where is @hailiedeegan ?? She is the only female right now running at the highest level full time.”

Natalie Decker made history at the Daytona Xfinity opener. She and Deegan started the race, marking the first time two women started an Xfinity race since Jennifer Jo Cobb and Milka Duno did it in Kansas in 2014. Decker led seven laps and finished 19th.

Fans also chimed in with their attacks on the stock car racing series.“IMSA but not the only full-time driver out of all 3 series…? 💀💀” Another fan commented: “no Deegan? The only currently active fulltime in the top 3 series.”     

Other fans hilariously added short GIFs featuring Hailie Deegan, subtly putting across the message. One person said: “Not having deegan on there is wild”. Another person commented: “How is Deegan not on this?😂”

Hailie Deegan is charging into her rookie year as a full-time Xfinity driver in 2024. But her transition from Truck to Xfinity was viewed with suspicion by some.

Read More: Hailie Deegan Rues Missed Top-10 Opportunity in Atlanta With Fuel-Saving Tactic Going Wrong

Deegan’s promotion to Xfinity invited doubts

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Hailie Deegan came off a 2023 season ranking 19th in the standings. She also has zero top-5 finishes, only five top-10s, and just two laps led in 67 career Truck Series starts. So when Ford Motorsports and AM Racing decided to push up her level in 2024, some people were skeptical.

Racer Erik Jones cautiously expressed his doubts. “For me, Xfinity was 10 percent harder than Trucks and Cup has been 110 percent harder than Xfinity. The higher you go up through the series you find better drivers and better equipment and longer races. Because of all that, I can see her move as challenging.”

However, Hailie has three wins in the ARCA Menards Series under her belt. Also, she finished a lead lap 13th in her only Xfinity Series start last year at Las Vegas. She said in 2019, “I’ve been used to pressure my whole life. It’s kind of been on me from the start, so at the end of the day there’s pressure for a reason.”

Hailie Deegan may have been cropped out of NASCAR’s Instagram photo, but she does have the potential to seize glory in the upcoming races.