Hailie Deegan and AM Racing Part Ways Amid Season Struggles

AM Racing has officially announced the departure of Hailie Deegan from its NASCAR Xfinity Series program. The decision, revealed via the team’s social media accounts on Monday morning, follows a week of speculation after Deegan was replaced by Joey Logano for the Chicago Street Course race.

In the team’s official statement, AM Racing confirmed the immediate split:
“AM Racing and Hailie Deegan have decided to part ways, effective immediately. We are grateful for Hailie’s contributions and dedication as the driver of the No. 15 Ford Mustang during her time with the race team. We wish Hailie the best in her future endeavors and look forward to her continued success on and off the track.”

This announcement comes just days after the team pulled Deegan from the driver’s seat and tapped two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano to pilot the No. 15 Ford in Chicago. Logano delivered an impressive eighth-place finish—AM Racing’s best result of the season. Despite not having raced in the Xfinity Series since 2019, Logano boasts 30 career wins in the category.

Following her removal from the car, Deegan quietly deleted all mentions of AM Racing from her social media accounts, further fueling speculation about her future with the team. While the team has yet to name a permanent or even short-term replacement for Deegan, there’s no indication yet of who will be behind the wheel for the upcoming event at Pocono.

Deegan Speaks Out: “Our Goals No Longer Align”
Shortly after the team’s announcement, Deegan issued a statement of her own, sharing her perspective on the split.
“Beginning this season, I had a lot of excitement and hope in taking my next step in the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” she wrote. “It’s something I’ve worked toward for years and always dreamt about. I worked hard to prepare after the team pursued me to drive their car. Unfortunately, it has not turned out the way I expected.”

She added, “There are always multiple factors inside a race team that determine what works and what doesn’t. Sadly, our goals no longer align. With that being said, myself and AM Racing will be parting ways. Right now, my only focus is on getting back to being competitive. That is all that matters to me.”

Deegan also hinted that she is actively seeking new opportunities:
“I’m working as quickly as possible to find the best opportunities to get back on the track. I’m thankful for the support I’ve received—it means the world to me. Only I know the full story and what I need to succeed. See you at the track, soon.”

A Season of Unmet Expectations
Deegan competed in the first 17 races of the season for AM Racing but failed to crack the top 10, with her best result being a 12th-place finish. She finished outside the top 30 in eight races—an underwhelming stretch that fell short of expectations for the young driver and the team.

By contrast, Brett Moffitt, who drove the No. 15 car for AM Racing last year, secured one top-five and nine top-10 finishes, ultimately placing 15th in the season standings.

Hailie Deegan, twice voted the Truck Series’ most popular driver, made her Xfinity Series debut in 2022. In her sole race that season, she started 20th and finished 13th while driving for SS GreenLight Racing. Her career also includes a successful stint in the ARCA West Series in 2018 and 2019, where she notched three wins.

Future Uncertain for No. 15 Car
Last week, AM Racing president Wade Moore addressed the team’s broader strategy:
“Our goal is to field a competitive race team through our technical alliance with Stewart-Haas Racing and provide any of our drivers with the best equipment and opportunity to succeed on track each weekend.”

As of now, the team has not provided further details on who will drive the No. 15 Ford for the remainder of the season. Deegan, meanwhile, is actively exploring her next move, determined to regain her competitive edge and continue her journey in professional racing.