Hailie Deegan announces move to Indy NXT with HMD Motorsports for 2025 season

Hailie Deegan announced she will race in Indy NXT with HMD Motorsports in 2025, marking her transition from NASCAR to open-wheel racing. The 23-year-old has previously competed in dirt racing and the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series. Kevin Harvick noted that the switch to Indy NXT will be challenging for Deegan due to the differences in car types. He highlighted her earlier success in the Toyota driver development program and suggested her move to Ford may have negatively impacted her NASCAR career. Mamba Smith expressed support for Deegan's return to competition, acknowledging the difficulties in securing sponsorships in racing. Both Harvick and Smith hope she finds success in her new racing venture.