[autotag]Hailie Deegan[/autotag] is no longer a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series driver. Following the Xfinity Series race at the Chicago Street Course, AM Racing and Deegan parted ways. The partnership only lasted 17 Xfinity Series races, despite the 22-year-old driver signing a multi-year contract. So, what is next for Deegan as she pushes to become a driver at the highest level?
[autotag]Kevin Harvick[/autotag] discussed Deegan’s biggest mistake in her NASCAR career on his podcast, Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, and gave his thoughts on her future. Harvick believes it will be difficult for her to get another great shot in NASCAR.
“The big mistake here was getting out of the Toyota development system,” Harvick said. “I think Ford has the worst development program as far as their drivers go. I think Toyota has the best, and I think Chevy is somewhere in the middle. Getting out of that Toyota development program with all the resources, and they’re willing to give time. I think that [Hailie Deegan] needed more time in the [NASCAR Truck Series], getting that guidance and mentorship that she needed in order to develop into what she needed to be a NASCAR race-car driver.”
Trouble for JJ Yeley and Hailie Deegan at Dover. pic.twitter.com/QkZxI0Fsnk
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 27, 2024
“I think the moment that she stepped outside of that Toyota development system was a bad move…I think it’s going to be tough to get another chance. That’s going to be the hard part.”
Harvick believes Deegan leaving Toyota Racing for Ford Performance was the biggest mistake of her career to this point. It’s a reasonable take, as Toyota’s involvement in the lower ranks of NASCAR is high compared to Ford’s overall. It might be tough for Deegan to get another shot in NASCAR, but she should have other options available if needed.
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