Once celebrated as NASCAR’s rising star, Haley Deegan has made a surprising and career-defining decision. The 23-year-old driver is stepping away from stock car racing to embark on a fresh journey in open-wheel racing, joining the competitive ranks of the Indy NXT series. This move marks a significant turning point for Deegan, who has faced mounting challenges both on and off the track.

Deegan’s NASCAR journey began with tremendous promise. She made history by becoming the first female driver to win a race in the NASCAR ARCA Menards West Series, claiming three victories between 2018 and 2019. These early triumphs sparked high hopes for her future and positioned her as a trailblazer for women in motorsport.

However, her transition into NASCAR’s upper levels was far from smooth. When Deegan joined the Craftsman Truck Series in 2021, expectations were high. Yet, the results did not reflect her early potential—over three seasons, she secured only five top-10 finishes in 69 starts, with her best points finish being 17th in her debut year.

Things didn’t improve when she moved up to the Xfinity Series in 2024. Driving for AM Racing, Deegan faced difficulties adjusting to the heightened competition. After just 17 starts, with a best finish of 12th, her stint was cut short midseason—an unexpected blow for someone once touted as the future of NASCAR.

But what truly led to her departure? According to Deegan herself, the problem wasn’t just performance—it was the financial burden of competing at the highest level. In an interview with Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, she candidly addressed the harsh economic reality of racing: securing sponsorship in NASCAR has become increasingly difficult.

“It’s hard to get sponsor money,” Deegan admitted. “Not many opportunities come unless you’ve got deep pockets.” She highlighted that a competitive seat in the Xfinity Series could require up to $6 million in sponsorship—a staggering figure, especially in an economic climate where marketing budgets are being slashed.

This financial strain isn’t unique to Deegan. Even some of NASCAR’s biggest names have faced similar challenges. The departure of major sponsors like Mars Inc. from Joe Gibbs Racing led to Kyle Busch’s exit, and Denny Hamlin recently announced that FedEx would not return to his No. 11 car in 2025.

For Deegan, the constant pressure to secure funding made it nearly impossible to focus on racing. “It’s hard to say to a sponsor: ‘You’re going to get your value,’” she said. The harsh reality of this unsustainable cycle ultimately drove her to explore other opportunities.

Her shift to Indy NXT offers a fresh start—and a chance to return to her roots. Deegan has always excelled on road courses, a strength that aligns well with open-wheel racing. “I’ve always loved road course racing. I always felt like I had some of my stronger runs there,” she explained.

Joining HMD Motorsports, one of Indy NXT’s most respected teams, offers Deegan a competitive environment with significantly fewer financial pressures. The team has a strong track record of success and has played a pivotal role in advancing drivers to the prestigious IndyCar Series.

Now, Deegan is approaching this new challenge with a fresh mindset, focused on learning and growth. “I feel like I’ve been learning so much and having a blast doing it,” she said. “It’s been a big change, but a fun one.”

While her departure from NASCAR marks the end of one chapter, it could be the beginning of something even greater. With her talent, passion for road racing, and the support of a top-tier team, Deegan’s bold move might just reignite her journey toward racing success.