“This Is Tasteless”- Racing Fandom Baffled as Global Poll Highlights Toni Breidinger’s Dominance Over Hailie Deegan

A lot of thought and research goes into the “most influential driver” conversation in NASCAR. But ultimately, it’s the fans that decide who is the most prominent of the lot. However, online media and racing experts do roll out their list each year, and this time a popular poll has snubbed Truck Series sensation and Ford Performance driver, Hailie Deegan, riling up fans.

Popular media house Motorsports.com has unveiled their “Most Influential Female Drivers”—a  list of the top 5 lady drivers from the world of racing—and guess what? The list is now receiving backlash from fans as they deem it “tasteless.” The poll even has ARCA Menards as a part-timer over the NASCAR Truck Series driver, making fans boil over the flimsy list.

Hailie Deegan gets snubbed by a part-time ARCA driver as the “most influential”

Every now and then, the racing world gets into a frenzy, whether it’s because of the controversies in NASCAR or because of the organization’s drivers. However, given the ardent fanbase the sport has, even the slightest of incorrect or absurd news can make the situation tense.

This was exactly what happened with Motorsports.com rolling out their list of “Most Influential Female Drivers.” It had part-time ARCA Menards driver and social media influencer Toni Breidinger at the top in the absence of the Truck Series driver. Deegan did not make her way into the conversation, enraging fans and raising questions about the poll’s credibility.

While Motorsports’ tweet mentions the list is based on social media following and online search demand, fans did not let this slide. Seeing Deegan get snubbed made things worse, as fans said, “They’ve paired follower count with Google analytics to create not news”

WATCH THIS STORY: Hailie Deegan’s big leap to NASCAR’s Xfinity Series

Instead of Deegan, the list included part-time Xfinity, ARCA driver Natalie Decker alongside Filipino driver Bianca Bustamante, and professional Formula 1 driver Lindsay Brewer.

Fans express their displeasure as their favorite driver gets snubbed over some social media following

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Without a doubt, Hailie Deegan is one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR. The 22-year-old just recently made her breakthrough transition into the Xfinity Series. The Truck Series driver will try her luck in NASCAR’s 2nd tier division starting in the 2024 season, with the driver signing a multi-year deal with AM Racing.

Despite all this, seeing their favorite driver get snubbed by some ARCA drivers really riled up the fandom. Some were left baffled as to why Deegan is not on the list given her popularity on social media, with millions of fans following the driver religiously on various platforms.

“Deegan not being in the top 5 is surprising. Wonder what metrics motorsports.com is using.”

Another fan commented, “I’m sorry, but this is tasteless imo. lol.”

[Semi-OT] [Motorsport.com] Avis analysed over 400 female racing drivers to identify who is the most influential based on their social media following and online search demand.
byu/BlingyBling1007 inNASCAR

While another user chimed in with his take, “Surprised Deegan isn’t on it over Decker but it looks like they didn’t factor in YouTube.”

Some fans even took a cheap shot at Decker, “Natalie Decker still being popular even though her career has imploded will always baffle me.”

READ MORE: Hailie Deegan Keeping Her Spirits High Amidst Horror NASCAR Season as She Attends a Concert of “The Greatest”

What do you think about the list? Was Deegan actually snubbed or does Toni Breidinger dominate Deegan in social media? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.