WATCH: NASCAR Truck Series-bound Hailie Deegan Takes up an Intense Workout Routine

Published 10/26/2020, 11:13 AM EDT

Last weekend, 19-year-old Hailie Deegan made her Truck series debut at Kansas. After a fine 16th place, she is back to competing in the ARCA Menard Series once again. Recently, she wrapped up her final race of the 2020 season on October 16 at the Kansas Speedway. The 19-year-old posted a short clip on social media, where she was doing some heavy lifting as part of her training.

Now, the 2020 Rookie of the Year will be preparing for the 2021 season. Although a win eluded her in 2020, she came close on a few occasions. Other than that, she has been supremely consistent and finished in the Top 10 in every race, bar three. This was also enough to place her in the third position in the ARCA Menards Series championship.

Coming back to the Kansas race, she also finished as the top woman in the Gander & RV Truck Series. Her 16th place trumped Jennifer Jo Cobb’s 29th place, with Natalie Decker being a no-show.

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View this post on Instagram

Back to work at my favorite gym in Cali 🙌. @iconsports1 @underarmour
A post shared by Hailie Deegan (@hailiedeegan) on Oct 24, 2020 at 7:55am PDT

Hailie Deegan to move up to the Truck Series in 2021

Deegan’s Truck Series debut was just a trial run and a sign of things to come from the teenager. Ford and DGR-Crosley announced that she is being promoted to the Truck Series in 2021. It is also worth noting that her 16th place finish is the highest for any female debutant.

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Admittedly, not everything is in order, as they still have to iron out a few details. According to Deegan, the team is still working on sponsorship to assure a full-season schedule.

“We are very happy with Hailie’s progress as demonstrated in her first year as a part of our Ford Performance driver development program” said 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.”

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Deegan admitted that she is excited to take another step in her career with Ford Performance. The last time she raced in a truck, it was in the off-road arena. However, she knows that the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a whole new ball game. Now, she will be looking forward to the new season, starting with the Daytona 500.

Hailie Deegan Sets Impressive Record in Her First Start in NASCAR Truck Series at Kansas Speedway

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Dhruv George is a senior Formula One and NASCAR analyst for EssentiallySports, having authored nearly 12000 articles spanning different sports like F1, NASCAR, Tennis, NFL, and eSports. He graduated with a PG Diploma in Journalism from the Xavier Institute of Communications. Dhruv has also conducted interviews with F1 driver Pierre Gasly and Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino.