Hailie Deegan shifting to Indy NXT for 2025 with HMD Motorsports

The 23-year-old will be making the transition from dirt and stock car racing to open-wheel next season

Hailie Deegan, HMD Motorsports

Photo by: HMD Motorsports

HMD Motorsports announced the arrival of Hailie Deegan for the 2025 season in Indy NXT, the premier developmental category for the IndyCar Series.

The 23-year-old Deegan is set to contest all 14 rounds in the team’s No. 38 entry. She becomes the fifth driver confirmed by HMD Motorsports, joining a lineup for next year that includes Caio Collet, Josh Pieson, Tommy Smith and Bryce Aron. Deegan will get her first taste behind the wheel of Indy NXT machinery at the upcoming Chris Griffis Memorial Test at the Indianapolis road course on Oct. 18.

“I am excited about the opportunity and look forward to working with a proven program in HMD Motorsports,” Deegan said.

“I have much to learn, but I am ready to go. The team brings a wealth of knowledge for me to pull from, and I look forward to soaking up as much of that as possible before my race debut next March in St. Petersburg.”

Hailie Deegan, AM Racing, AirBox Ford Mustang

Photo by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Images

Deegan’s switch to open-wheel racing comes after an extended time in the dirt and stock car ranks. After winning three races during her time in NASCAR’s K&N West division from 2018-19, becoming the first female to win in the series. She spent all of 2020 in ARCA, finishing third in the title race. Most of her NASCAR career was spent in the Truck Series, competing full-time from 2021-23 and scoring a best finish of sixth (twice – Talladega 2022, Texas, 2023). Although she started this year full-time in the Xfinity Series, the tenure ended after 17 races following a split with AM Racing.

To aid with Deegan’s transition, she has been working with former HMD Motorsports engineer Nathan Toney, the owner of Toney Driver Development. She will also make her first open-wheel race debut later this month in the final race of the Formula Regional Americas season at Circuit of the Americas.

“Hailie, and especially the Deegan name, are huge in motorsports, and we welcome them to the HMD Motorsports family,” said Team President Mike Maurini. “Hailie has already been out to the shop and is taking the move to open-wheel racing seriously. She is looking for a place in the Indianapolis area to be emersed with the team and is already working with her engineer. We want to make sure she and all the other HMD Motorsports drivers are as ready as possible for every on-track session.”

Hailie Deegan, a rising star in American motorsports, is making a significant move by transitioning to Indy NXT for the 2025 season with HMD Motorsports. Known for her success in NASCAR, Deegan has built a reputation as a fierce competitor on the track, and this shift to open-wheel racing marks a new chapter in her career.

Partnering with HMD Motorsports, one of the leading teams in Indy NXT, Deegan aims to expand her racing portfolio and sharpen her skills in the highly competitive IndyCar feeder series. She has expressed excitement about the opportunity, seeing it as a chance to prove herself in a different racing format.

“I’ve always been passionate about trying new challenges, and Indy NXT is the perfect next step for me,” Deegan said in a statement. “HMD Motorsports has an amazing track record, and I’m looking forward to pushing my limits and learning from the best in the sport.”

Deegan’s transition reflects a growing trend of NASCAR drivers exploring other racing disciplines, showcasing the versatility of top-level drivers. Fans and analysts are eager to see how she adapts to the demands of open-wheel racing and whether her aggressive driving style will translate into success in Indy NXT.

Her move to Indy NXT also opens up exciting possibilities for a future IndyCar debut, solidifying her as a multi-faceted talent in motorsports. With HMD Motorsports’ strong backing and Deegan’s determination, the 2025 season is shaping up to be an exciting one for the young driver.