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As Hailie Deegan’s NASCAR Journey Appears to Be Heading to a Halt, the 22-Year-Old Driver Gives an Update

Published 10/01/2023, 5:31 PM EDT

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Once hailed as a rising star in the NASCAR Truck Series, Hailie Deegan’s recent seasons have been far from stellar. Her struggles on the track have shown no signs of abating, with glimpses of brilliance overshadowed by a string of lackluster performances. The 2023 season has been particularly troublesome for her, marked by a winless streak and only two top-10 finishes.

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It’s a far cry from the optimism that once surrounded her. Many believed she could follow in the footsteps of former Cup Series driver Danica Patrick into the top tier of NASCAR. As doubts about her future continue to mount, Deegan has taken a step forward by addressing the concerns surrounding her career. With only two races remaining on the calendar, the 22-year-old finds herself at a critical juncture as she juggles struggles and apparent issues within her crew.

Hailie Deegan’s uphill battle as 2023 struggles continue

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Hailie Deegan’s 2023 season took an unexpected turn last weekend when ThorSport Racing, a championship-winning team, announced a significant crew chief change. Deegan had initially partnered with crew chief Rich Lushes for the first 19 rounds of the season. However, ThorSport Racing decided to bring in Brian Ross as her new crew chief, signaling a significant shift in their strategy for Deegan’s 2023 campaign.

The decision to part ways with Lushes was influenced by the underwhelming performance of the Lushes-Deegan duo, considering ThorSport’s high expectations for Deegan’s season and hoping to replicate the success they’ve had with Ben Rhodes, the 2021 champion.

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As Hailie Deegan prepares for the next race at Homestead-Miami, the 22-year-old acknowledged the challenges ahead, she said, “I got a new crew chief that I’m working with, and we’re still trying to figure out each other, still trying to figure out what works for both of us, and I think this will definitely give us some new momentum.” Despite a decent P8 finish at Talladega, Deegan remains cautious about Homestead, a track that didn’t treat her well in the past.

With mounting problems in the 2023 season, Deegan also provided an update on her plans for 2024, leaving fans and the racing world eager to see how she will navigate this turbulent season and what the future holds for her career.

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A glimpse into the road ahead for Hailie Deegan in 2024

While her focus remains on the ongoing 2023 season, which has been marred by challenges, Hailie Deegan looks ahead to the 2024 season. When asked about her next steps, the #13 Ford F-150 driver revealed, “Not yet. Still working on some stuff. Still trying to figure out what the best option is. Hopefully, we’ll see soon.” While uncertainty looms about her 2024 endeavors, Deegan remains optimistic about what lies ahead.

As Deegan looks ahead to the 2024 season with cautious optimism, her struggles in the 2023 season continue to unfold. The road to the season-ending races is far from smooth sailing, as Bob Pockrass dropped the news that Deegan is set to lose her pit selection for the Homestead race since her Toyota failed the pre-race inspection not once but twice.

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Bob wrote, “The Heim and Deegan trucks failed tech twice and will lose pit selection for Homestead. They still need to pass in the morning. The Greenfield and Cobb trucks also have to get through tech in the morning (still have work done, but haven’t been through twice). Cup tech is Saturday.”

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As the season approaches its conclusion, all eyes will be on Deegan, waiting to see if she can turn the tide and prove her resilience in the face of adversity. The remaining races in 2023 will serve as a crucial test of her abilities and her commitment to success in the NASCAR Truck Series.

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Written by:

Rashi Shetty

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Rashi Shetty is a NASCAR author at EssentiallySports. Her passion for the sport extends beyond the thrill of on-track racing, as she finds the behind-the-scenes aspects of car development and sportsmanship equally captivating. Her favorite motorsports moment of 2023 is the NASCAR Garage 56 entry at Le Mans.
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Edited by:

Nischal Kandpal

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