Hailie Deegan faced a disappointing start to the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season at Daytona International Speedway. The season opener was marked by a dramatic incident on Lap 23, where a four-car collision triggered an early caution flag. Notable drivers involved in the mishap included Hailie Deegan, Daniel Suarez, Sam Mayer, and Kyle Weatherman.
The incident unfolded when Cup driver Daniel Suarez was hit from behind by Jeremy Clements, causing a stack-up that sent Suarez’s #14 into the outside wall. The resulting wreck collected Hailie Deegan, who was making her full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in the #15 Ford for AM Racing. Unfortunately, due to the damage sustained in the collision, Deegan had to make an early exit from the race and was credited with a 37th-place finish. The crash garnered attention, with a viral video and fans expressing their reactions.
Some fan comments on Deegan’s crash during her full-time Xfinity debut included criticism such as “Crashed again. Can not drive,” and questions about her attention during the incident. Others expressed a desire to see her succeed in the series but noted concerns about her performance.
Hailie Deegan shared her perspective on the frustrating end of the Xfinity opener at Daytona International Speedway. Reflecting on her history at the track, dating back to her first truck race, Deegan mentioned finishing 24th, 17th, and 35th in three Truck Series races at Daytona. She expressed disappointment with her Xfinity debut and struggles at Daytona, stating, “I’ve had a bad relationship with Daytona ever since my first Truck race here. It’s been hard for me. I’ve never been able to conquer or at least figure out what the right way is.”
Despite the challenges, Deegan remains optimistic about her career progression and aims to improve her performance at Daytona International Speedway. As she continues in the Xfinity Series, Hailie Deegan will work towards overcoming her Daytona struggles and making a mark in the competitive racing scene.