Hailie Deegan leaves AM Racing; future of NASCAR Xfinity Series uncertain

AM Racing has parted ways with driver Hailie Deegan with immediate effect, the NASCAR Xfinity Series team announced Monday morning.

“AM Racing and Hailie Deegan have decided to part ways, effective immediately,” the team statement said. “We are grateful for Hailie’s contributions and dedication as the driver of the No. 15 Ford Mustang during her time with the race team. We wish Hailie the best in her future endeavors and look forward to her continued success on and off the track.”

The 22-year-old from Temecula, California, had driven the team’s No. 15 Ford in the first 17 races of the season, her rookie season, averaging a 26.8 finish, finishing 20th or better just four times. Deegan is currently 28th in the season standings, dropping one spot after sitting out Saturday’s The Loop 110. The team opted to have two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano drive the car last weekend at the Chicago Street Course, where the Connecticut native posted a season-best finish for the car with an eighth-place finish.

Before the weekend, team president Wade Moore addressed the driver change in a team statement.

“The level of competition in the Xfinity Series is as tough as it’s ever been,” Moore said. “Our goal at AM Racing is to field a competitive race team through our technical alliance with Stewart-Haas Racing and provide each of our drivers with the best equipment and the opportunity to be successful on the track every weekend. However, we didn’t have the success on the track we hoped for during the first half of the season. When the opportunity arose to have Joey in the car in Chicago, we felt we needed to leverage the knowledge and feedback that a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion can bring to the growth of our teams.”

Deegan also announced the decision on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“At the start of this season, I was full of anticipation and hope to take my next step in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This is something I have been working towards and dreaming about for years. I worked hard to prepare for this season after the team asked me for a seat in their car. Unfortunately, it did not work out as I expected. There are always several reasons why something works or doesn’t work in a race team, but unfortunately our goals no longer align. With this in mind, my paths and those of AM Racing will be parting.

“I’m just focused on getting back to being competitive. That’s ALL that matters to me. I’m working as fast as I can to find the best ways to get back on the track. I’m thankful for the followers I have and everyone who supports me. I’m really the only one who knows the whole story and what I need to be successful. See you on the track soon.”

Deegan was signed to Ford’s driver development program in December 2019. Her move to the Xfinity Series for 2024 was announced last October as part of a multi-year deal with AM Racing after completing three seasons in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

The series’ next races are this Saturday at Pocono Raceway (3 p.m. ET, USA Network, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The team has not yet announced a driver for the “Tricky Triangle” and beyond.