NASCAR Rookie Hailie Deegan Makes Debut in Truck Series

Hailie Deegan — she's not your typical 19-year-old girl. One race is all it took — a 16th-place finish last October at Kansas Speedway — convinced Deegan to make the move to trucks in 2021.

Hailie grew up racing in the dirt against boys. She has a deep attraction for the rough-rider style of the Truck Series.

"It's always been my favorite series to watch growing up," stated Hailie Deegan. "I think in the Cup Series you have guys that are very precise, very perfect driving. You get into the Truck Series, it's a little bit rougher. It's new kids coming into that series battling against guys who have been in there for years. It's a lot of mix of talents and experience levels; it just makes it very entertaining."

Considered one of NASCAR's brightest up-and-coming stars, Hailie Deegan made her Truck debut on February 8th in the No. 1 Ford for David Gilliland Racing. 

Hailie Deegan: Who is She?

Hailie Deegan is from Temecula, California. From skydiving to social media to NASCAR, Deegan has made her presence known.  

Hailie Deegan was destined to be involved in motorsports. Her father Brian, is a legend in the world of freestyle motocross. After beginning her career racing dirt bikes, she transitioned to four wheels and off-road racing.

Hailie started racing at the age of eight and has been the only female driver in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Pro series, as well as regional series to win championships in 2013, 2015, and 2016, along with being the only youth ever to win the Lucas Oil Off Road Pro Series Driver of the Year award (2016).

In Hailie's first season driving in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West in 2018, she scored her first win at Meridian Speedway in Idaho and went on to capture two more checkered flags in the 2019 season, making her the only female to have won races in the K&N Pro Series to date.

"You kind of have to put yourself out there so you can learn new things," she said. "I don't have much knowledge in the Truck Series. I know I'm going to be racing against guys that have been there many years. I know that's going to be a challenge for me and just going out there and being a sponge and soaking up all the information."

NASCAR Truck Series

Hailie Deegan, who made her NASCAR Truck Series debut Saturday at Kansas Speedway, will move up to that series in 2021, Ford and DGR-Crosley announced.

"We are very happy with Hailie's progress as demonstrated in her first year as a part of our Ford Performance driver development program," stated Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. "Continuing with the consistency from DGR-Crosley, Hailie is ready to make the step to the NASCAR Truck Series providing some intense competition and great racing."

"I've enjoyed watching Hailie progress in the ARCA Menards Series this season and prepare for the next step in her racing career, moving up to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2021," stated David Gilliland, co-owner, DGR-Crosley. "I'm happy DGR-Crosley can be part of her learning process as she transitions to the next level of competition, and we're all excited to start prepping for next season with her."

You can catch Hailie Deegan on FS1 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.