For Haley, the decision to transition from stock cars to the open-wheel racing world was not one made lightly. It represented a significant shift in her racing career, a move that brought excitement, challenges, and a steep learning curve. However, as she embarks on this new journey, Haley remains optimistic about her potential in the new discipline.

“I feel like it’s been a great transition,” Haley says. “Everyone has been super welcoming, and I have a great team behind me, including an excellent engineer. The support has been incredible, and though it has been a challenge, I am eager to learn and adapt.”

One of the biggest challenges Haley faces in open-wheel racing is the physical demand. Unlike NASCAR, which she describes as not being particularly physically strenuous, open-wheel cars require a different level of endurance and strength. “The biggest thing for me is the physical side, getting stronger in a hurry,” she explains. “In NASCAR, I never really had to work on my physical strength as much, so this is a completely new aspect of training for me.”

Another challenge for Haley is adjusting to the street courses, particularly the upcoming race in St. Petersburg. “I’ve never been on a street course before or competed in this series, so it’s all new to me. I’m just trying to take in as much as I can and get through this weekend to build on my experience.”

The transition from stock cars to open-wheel racing is notoriously difficult, with few drivers making the switch successfully. Even legendary stock car driver Jimmie Johnson faced significant struggles when he attempted the transition. “It’s super hard,” Haley acknowledges. “There are so many factors that make it challenging. One of the biggest is the lack of power steering in open-wheel cars, which changes your reaction time and makes handling much more physically demanding.”

Despite the difficulty, Haley is determined to make her mark in open-wheel racing. She recalls her first exposure to the discipline when she participated in a ride-along at Gateway a few years ago. However, at the time, she had no real aspirations to switch disciplines. “I was so focused on my K&N days, winning races, and progressing in stock cars that I never even considered open-wheel racing,” she admits.

The decision to switch began to take shape after the Iowa race, where she started exploring her options. “I talked to my fiancé, my manager, my parents, and my sponsors about what was next. I had offers to do some NASCAR races, but I really wanted to be in a quality ride. Mid-season opportunities in NASCAR are often limited, so I started looking at other possibilities. After visiting the IndyCar paddock at Iowa and Nashville and talking to teams, things started to come together. That was when I started conversations with Mike at HMD Motorsports, and everything just fell into place.”

As Haley prepares for her first full season in the NXT series, she remains realistic about her goals. “For now, I don’t have many expectations for this first race. Everything is so new to me, and it’s hard to know what to expect. My main focus is learning and improving with each race.”

Haley’s journey into open-wheel racing is just beginning, but her determination and willingness to embrace challenges suggest that she could be a rising star in this new arena. With the right mindset and support system, her transition from stock cars to open-wheel racing may prove to be a bold and rewarding move in her career.