Hailie Deegan Leaves NASCAR for Indy NXT, Citing Sponsorship Challenges

Financial hurdles and a passion for road course racing drive Deegan's decision to switch to Indy NXT, though she remains open to a NASCAR return.

Hailie Deegan has officially transitioned to the Indy NXT Series for 2025, citing difficulties in securing sponsorships as a key factor for leaving NASCAR.
Deegan expressed her love for road course racing and open-wheel cars, noting her strong performances on road courses in the past as a driving force behind her move.
The financial pressures of NASCAR sponsorships have also impacted other drivers, with emerging talents like Lavar Scott voicing concerns over the sport's sustainability for newcomers.
Deegan remains open to returning to NASCAR in the future if a strong sponsorship opportunity arises, but her focus is now on building a career in Indy NXT.
NASCAR's reliance on platforms like TikTok to engage younger audiences faces uncertainty as a potential ban on the app could disrupt its marketing and sponsorship ecosystem.