DIRT DRIVING
DEEGAN By Alex Apple
For Hailie Deegan’s eighth birthday, her parents did not get her the typical gift that most children of that age ask for. Her parents got her a small truck, and racing has been her passion ever since. Her father is a ten-time X Games medalist, but Hailie has charted her own course. Her immense success in junior racing started to catch the eye of NASCAR and development programs across the country. She promptly became the first female driver to win a NASCAR Pro Series Race. In 2020, Deegan will continue her career with Ford’s backing as they add her to their driver development program. The offseason (if you can say she has one) was spent in the ARCA Menards Series with a Cup of tea in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. “It was really cool because they came to me,” Deegan told NASCAR.com about Ford’s interest. “It shows that people care, it shows that they want to be fully invested and want to better your future and have a good relationship for a long time.” Born in California, the 18-year-old started racing dirt bikes the year before her parents got her a truck at age eight. With her father always around tracks and racing, Deegan began to find her own passion for speed and driving. Deegan’s success started in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series where she was the first female to win a Championship in 2013. A few years later, she became the Modified Kart National Champion. Later the next year, Deegan make the decision to explore new horizons. Having caught the eye of many as one of the youngest drivers on the kart Series, Hailie moved to asphalt. g 36 THE OFFICIAL NASCAR 2020 PREVIEW & PRESS GUIDE
