Hailie Deegan leaves NASCAR for Indy NXT as Kevin Harvick criticizes her career choices

Hailie Deegan is leaving NASCAR to join HMD Motorsports in the Indy NXT series. This decision follows a difficult year in the Xfinity Series, where she struggled to achieve top finishes with AM Racing. Kevin Harvick criticized Deegan's career choices, stating her departure from the Toyota program marked a turning point that led to her challenges in NASCAR. He expressed concern about her transition to open-wheel racing but acknowledged her need for a fresh start. Deegan is optimistic about her future in Indy NXT. She has been exploring options and believes her skills, particularly on road courses, will serve her well in this new racing environment.