Straight after snagging the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Most Popular Driver of the Year award, Hailie Deegan could have easily kicked back and soaked up some well-deserved R&R. Instead, she chose to roll up her sleeves and dive into the Tulsa Shootout. But lately, it seems she’s been on the fence about making a comeback there.

With her sights set on moving up from the Truck series to the Xfinity, Deegan knows she’s got her work cut out for her. It’s no small leap, and it’ll take a heap of extra elbow grease to make her mark. That said, next year, she’s more likely to hit pause and take a breather instead of jumping back into the fray at the Tulsa Shootout.

Chase Cabre and Hailie Deegan are at loggerheads with each other regarding Tulsa Shootout

Hailie Deegan’s first brush with the Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout featured her watching from the sidelines as her boyfriend, Chase, competed. Now, racing alongside her fiancé, they both know the drill of competing under the bright lights of a national or global stage. For Deegan, the game plan in Tulsa is straightforward – to let her hair down and enjoy the ride.

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“It’s definitely less pressure, and I’m going there to have fun, and enjoy it. I don’t have anything on the line when going there, so it’s more a fun type of racing and a lot less pressure than the NASCAR side of things,” she explained.

Post-race, though, Deegan was visibly spent, a stark contrast to Chase, who seemed familiar with the drill. Reflecting on the experience in one of her YouTube videos, Chase remarked, That stuff will make you want to come back.” But Deegan was quick to counter with a laugh, “Hell no.” (laughs).” She playfully mused about being the one on the couch next year, enjoying some good food in a cozy home. Still, she admitted it was a blast – a fine way to wrap up 2023.

With a grueling schedule that often includes racing every other weekend, drivers usually crave the three-month off-season for family time or off-track duties like sponsorships. Deegan, though, hinted that a racer’s off-season is somewhat of a myth. Prepping for her Tulsa Shootout stint, she posted, “Off-seasons in racing don’t exist. Having some fun here in Tulsa with this @odysseybattery car!” 

With just a month and a half before she gears up for the Xfinity Series, her apprehensions aren’t unfounded. Plus, as she points out, female racers face unique challenges, making downtime all the more important.

Hailie Deegan talks about the challenges faced by females in the racing arena

During a recent chat on the Cars and Culture YouTube channel, 22-year-old Hailie Deegan opened up about the unique obstacles female racers face. She underlined that life’s full of challenges, but for women behind the wheel, there’s a different set of hurdles to clear. She shared her thoughts, saying:

“It’s tough because I feel like you’re automatically looked at as you can easily be taken advantage of on the track. That maybe you’re not gonna be as aggressive, or fight as hard as someone else. But I think once you kind of lay the ground rules, almost give off the impression that you aren’t going to be a pushover.”

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Adding to that, it’s crucial for women wanting to break into racing to be extra vigilant and well-prepared, especially when it comes to safety concerns like concussions from track accidents, as 19-year-old Isabella Robusto pointed out. It’s all about being alert and ready for the challenges that come with the territory.