How Hailie Deegan fared on NASCAR return after – Sports News
Hailie Deegan impressed on her return to the NASCAR-sanctioned ARCA Menards West Series after she endured a troublesome stint at IndyCar.
In January, it was confirmed that the 24-year-old, who has competed in each the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series, would return full-time to Bill McAnally Racing in 2026, particularly within the ARCA Menards Series West.
Emerging as a rising star, Deegan made a sturdy impression within the competitors from 2018 to 2020, capturing three wins—two in 2018 and one in 2019—and ending third within the 2020 standings, demonstrating her aggressive fashion and potential to pave the way in which for ladies in motorsports. Her profitable return comes after a fellow NASCAR driver revealed that she has turn out to be a Barbie Role Model.
Returning to stock automobiles, Deegan crossed the road in sixth, marking a strong comeback. Deegan’s teammate Mason Massey claimed victory in his first-ever ARCA Menards Series West begin at Kern, making an rapid influence.
Eric Nascimento Jr. matched his career-best by ending second, whereas 15-year-old Taylor Mayhew impressed with a podium end in third on her sequence debut.
Deegan spent a lot of the race operating in fifth place earlier than a powerful restart noticed her shuffled back to eighth. She fought her manner back up to complete sixth.
After the race Deegan took to Instagram to share her ideas. “So much fun to be back racing a stock car again” mentioned the 24-year-old. “Took me a minute to get back used to all the pieces, however was fairly proud of my velocity. Needed to be a lil more aggressive on the previous few restarts, however nonetheless a good race to construct off of with the new staff!”
Ahead of the new season, BMR proprietor Bill McAnally shared his enthusiasm about Deegan’s return. He mentioned: “Having Hailie back on our team is incredibly special. We enjoyed working together several years ago and won some races.
“I see the commitment she has for competing at this level and we want to be part of her success. She has the knowledge of winning out West, and we have a great chance to chase our 12th title with her and Mason Massey in the fold.”
Last season was a rollercoaster for Deegan, highlighted by an Eleventh-place end at Laguna Seca however marred by 18th-place outcomes at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Road America, and Iowa Speedway, culminating in a 14th-place end within the standings with 202 factors—tied for the fewest amongst full-season opponents alongside Tommy Smith.
Whether her return to the ARCA West Series might pave the way in which for a future NASCAR national sequence comeback stays unsure. Between 2022 and 2023, she competed in 18 O’Reilly’s Series races and 69 Truck Series occasions, securing 5 top-10 finishes throughout three full-time Truck Series seasons.
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