“The [Hailie] Deegan Experiment Is Over”- Racing Community Calls Out Hollow Promise Betraying NASCAR’s Female Trailblazer

Hailie Deegan is not having the most memorable rookie season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. After a series of unconvincing performances, the AM Racing driver had yet another off day this weekend. Deegan finished the Sci-Aps 200 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the 32nd spot, her fourth consecutive finish outside the Top 20. But that is not all. She also did something that made her the center of controversy once again.

With just 12 laps to go, Hailie Deegan, who was running at the rear end of the field, rammed into the #92 car of Nathan Byrd. The impact saw Byrd spin across the racetrack and bump against the safer barrier. But the #15 car of Deegan, which also lost control, made contact with the rear bumper of the #92. The entire rear bumper of Byrd’s car was shredded into pieces, so much so that they had to clear out the debris before they could go back to green.

In a bid to seek repair for the damage to her racecar, Deegan headed to the pits when the track was being cleared of debris. All of this again for a P32 finish. To put it in perspective, Aric Almirola, who’s had fewer starts than Deegan, is ahead of her (27th) in the points standings. Almirola is in 24th place.

Apart from what happened at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Hailie Deegan has received criticism earlier as well, most recently after her showing at Iowa last weekend. Having started the race in 33rd place, she could only make up one place in Stage 1. Thereafter, Stage 2 was slightly better, following which she was running in P29. However, despite 12 drivers DNF-ing, the 22-year-old crossed the checkered flag in P25 ahead of only Garrett Smithley.

Considering she drives an SHR-supported car, many expect her to perform better and at least finish inside the Top 20 consistently. But things haven’t gone in Deegan’s favor, and the criticism she faces is only increasing. This also wasn’t the first time people questioned her talent and the fact that she has a seat in the Xfinity Series. It happened during the weekend in Darlington in May, too. And for two reasons.

First, it was Throwback Weekend in Darlington. In honor of Dale Earnhardt, Hailie Deegan rolled out a special version of her #15 Ford, similar to ‘The Intimidator’s #15 Wrangler paint scheme from 1982. Until the final stage, the race didn’t see an incident-related caution. That was until the #15’s left rear tire blew up, giving followers another reason to criticize Deegan. As that caution made everyone else rethink their strategies, Deegan had no option but to retire the car, seeing as the entire rear quarter panel was in pieces.

It’s fair to say that the NASCAR community has been hard on Hailie Deegan, who is only in her rookie season. However, being unable to race well in the pack and late race wreckages have put her on the firing line quite often now.

Fans want Hailie Deegan out before “she gets somebody hurt”

For a race that had only picked up in the final stage with some real action, a late caution certainly spoiled the fun for viewers enjoying a three-way battle between Cole Custer, Sheldon Creed, and Christopher Bell. Reacting to Deegan’s move, which brought an end to a great track battle, a fan wrote rather harshly, “These nobodies need to get off the track and stop ruining good racing.”

One fan also highlighted how Deegan’s entry into Xfinity was a huge opportunity for her to make a mark in one of the top three NASCAR series. Especially with a car that finished 15th in points and 9 top-10 finishes in 2023. But Deegan just hasn’t learned the tricks of the trade in the Xfinity Series yet. “Yall remember when these cars were supposed to suit her driving style better?”

NASCAR racing can be tough on rookie drivers who have not experienced racing against top racers in the country. Although it can be termed an experiment in the initial stages, after 16 episodes into the season, it is hard to hide behind the excuse of being a first-timer in the series. And fans certainly are not buying into the idea of Deegan succeeding in the Xfinity Series. “The Deegan experiment is OVER”.

Even some of Hailie Deegan’s believers are now turning against her after the dismal showings, which have become a recurring theme. “I was all for giving her a year in these cars. I thought maybe they’d suit her better. They don’t. She’s terrible. Just end this experiment already before she gets somebody hurt.”

Ever since Joe Williams was shown the exit door as the crew chief of the #15 team, things have taken a turn for the worse. In the next 4 starts after the P20 finish at Charlotte, Deegan has finished 3 times outside the top 30. So much for a change in crew chief mid-season. Taking a sarcastic jibe at Deegan, a fan chimed in with their response, “What a shame. Deegan has been on fire since that crew chief change… 🙃🙃”.

At this point, the playoffs seem a bit too far out of reach for Hailie Deegan and the #15 team based on the recent run of performances. Even if they get a result or two in their favor, it won’t be able to overshadow the team’s inefficiencies that have hampered them throughout the year.