Women have played an influential role throughout the history of motor racing. Many have taken to the wheels of motorsport machines, while numerous figures have worked tirelessly on the sidelines in various roles, shaping the motor racing world to the present day.

Woman Spotlight Wednesday aims to take a look at the tales of these superwomen, who have surpassed various hurdles to reach where they are today.
Today’s story shines the spotlight on the next female racer to take to the Road to Indy, and is preparing for her latest season in Indy NXT, Hailie Deegan.
Growing up with off road racing and a family deeply invested in motorsport, Deegan began her journey into the racing world with short course off road racing, progressing to win her first race in the SXS Stadium Series' Trophy Kart class in 2009.
It was in 2013 that Hailie Deegan became the first ever female driver to win a LOORRS (Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series) championship, claiming victory in the Junior 2 Karts class.
To this day, Deegan is only one of four women to win the off-road racing championship alongside Corry Weller, Kali Kinsman and Megan Mitchell. It was in 2016 when Deegan was honoured the Lucas Oil Off Road Driver of the year.

The California native then made the switch to drive on asphalt in 2016, when she became a member of the Drive for Diversity Series run by NASCAR.
This aims to bring disadvantaged individuals into a historically white male dominated sport, providing them with the opportunity to be part of a team from drivers to owners. It was set up by NASCAR in 2004.
From here Deegan climbed the ranks, becoming a named driver for the NASCAR Next Class, designed to support and identify emerging racing talent.
Deegan was the youngest and the only woman to take part yet she triumphed and later signed to become a member of Toyota’s driver development programme.
It was 2018 that Deegan became a fully fledged NASCAR driver, driving in the K&N Pro Series West for Bill McAnally Racing and was one of only four drivers to return for a second season.

Deegan then was the very first woman to drive to pole position in a K&N championship.
Later that year, she became the first female in over 30 years to win a K&N Pro Series West at Meridian Speedway’s quarter mile track, in Idaho. Deegan was then deservingly presented the Rookie Driver of the year for the series.

Deegan then began racing in the ARCA Menards series (Automobile Racing Club of America) and switched from Toyota to Ford at the end of 2019. She claimed another Rookie of the Year award, finishing third in her debut season.
Next in Deegan’s journey was a move to the 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series the following year, making the best result for women in the series’s history.
The next step in Deegan’s journey is a move to the Indy NXT Series for 2025, driving the Number 38 car for HMD Motorsports.
Hailie Deegan has undoubtedly been a major influence for women within motorsport and is a clear representative for never giving up in what continues to be a male dominated sport.
Deegan has accomplished many achievements, becoming the first woman in history for so many achievements showing aspiring young girls that they too can achieve anything that they put their minds to.
‘I think the people who just stay in line fall into a segment of average drivers and I don’t want to be average. I want to be different; I want to be unique for my driving style and my abilities.’ as Deegan once said.
Comments