Hailie Deegan confirms signing new contract for 2026 after underwhelming Indy NXT stint

American Motorsports racing star Hailie Deegan has made a significant move by joining the Indy NXT championship for the upcoming 2026 season. After a somewhat disappointing debut season in the IndyCar ladder series, the 24-year-old driver recently announced that she has signed a new contract for the upcoming year.

Hailie Deegan, who is the daughter of motocross and supercross legend Brian Deegan, began her motorsports career on dirt tracks like her father. However, she transitioned to tarmac racing and competed in the NASCAR Xfinity (now O’Reilly) and Truck series before making the switch to open-wheel racing.

In 2024, Deegan raced with AM Racing for half a season in the Xfinity Series before joining Toney Driver Development in the Formula Regional Americas Championship later that year. This marked her first experience in an open-wheel car, and she then joined HMD Motorsport to compete in the 2025 Indy NXT season.

Despite her talents, Deegan faced challenges in the Indy NXT championship due to her lack of experience in open-wheel racing. She struggled to secure top finishes, with her best result being an 11th place finish in the second race at Laguna Seca. Ultimately, she finished 14th in the championship standings.

Speculation arose regarding Deegan’s racing plans for the 2026 season following her lackluster performance in 2025. However, the American driver recently teased fans on her YouTube channel by confirming that she has signed a contract for the upcoming season. Although she did not disclose the team or series she will be competing in, Deegan expressed her excitement about racing full-time in 2026.

IndyCar insider Marshall Pruett weighed in on Deegan’s future in the sport, ruling out a return to the Indy NXT series for the upcoming season. According to Pruett, Deegan’s attempt to blend her off-road and oval racing expertise with road racing was challenging and required more time to develop. While her future racing plans remain undisclosed, rumors have suggested a potential return to NASCAR in 2026.

It remains to be seen where Hailie Deegan will compete in the upcoming season, but fans are eagerly awaiting her official race announcement. As she continues to carve out her path in the world of motorsports, Deegan’s determination and passion for racing are sure to drive her towards further success on the track.