NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Hailie Deegan Out At AM Racing
Hailie Deegan is done at AM Racing.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series driver and the team announced on Monday announced the end of their relationship after 17 races this season.
Deegan joined the team after three years in the Truck Series, where she finished 17th, 21st and 19th and was named most popular driver all three seasons.
She is currently listed 28th in the Xfinity Series standings with a season-best 12th-place finish at Talladega and a total of four top 20 results.
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Rumors that she was leaving the team were swirling during the NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend, when Joey Logano was a late entry as the driver of the No. 15 Ford Mustang and Deegan removed references to AM Racing from her social media accounts. Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Logano finished the race in eighth place.
Deegan has been a highly-promoted member of the Ford Performance stable of drivers.
“Beginning this season, I had a lot of excitement and hope in taking my next step in the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” Deegan wrote in a statement posted to X.
“It’s something I’ve been working towards for years and always dreamt about. I worked hard to prepare for this season after the team pursued me to drive their car,” she continued. “Unfortunately, it has not turned out the way I expected. There are always several reasons within a race team as to why things do or do not work, but sadly our goals no longer align.”
“It’s truly only me that knows the whole story and what I need to succeed.”
“We are grateful for Hailie’s contributions and dedication as driver of the No. 14 Ford Mustang during her time with the race team,’ an AM Racing statement said.
In 2018, Deegan became the first woman to win a K&N Pro Series race and she followed it up with two more in 2019.
“I’m working as quick as possible to find the best opportunities to get back to the track,” her statement also said.