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Hailie Deegan, 18, moves to Ford development program

[December 18, 2019] Hailie Deegan, one of NASCAR's most-talked about young talents, was introduced Tuesday as a new Ford development driver.

For the 2020 season, the 18-year old Californian will race full time in a Ford for the respected DGR-Crosley team in the ARCA Menards Series, and she will compete in selected events for Ford's Multimatic Motorsports team in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.

It's a major announcement for Ford and Deegan, who in 2018 became the first woman to win a race in the former NASCAR K&N Pro Series West (now known as the ARCA Menards Series West). She added two more victories in the series in 2019, earning three pole positions, eight top-five and 11 top-10 finishes in 14 starts en route to a third-place finish in the championship.

In six ARCA Menards Series starts last year, Deegan earned a best finish of fifth at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Raceway.

"Hailie has shown in her brief time behind the wheel of a stock car that she's got what it takes to be successful," Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports, said at Tuesday's announcement in Concord, N.C.

"Our goal is to put her on a path to realize our shared goal of winning championships and part of that is gaining experience on tracks such as road courses and superspeedways. We feel this year will serve as a good foundation for what lies ahead."

That foundation will include an assortment of IMSA races in addition to the full 20-race ARCA schedule. Rushbrook reiterated Tuesday that the plan is to bring Deegan up to speed, slowly and steadily. In recent seasons Ford has fostered the burgeoning careers of young drivers such as Cole Custer, Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe.

Deegan said she was prepared for a measured approach and appreciated the plan.

"I think it's really important because at the end of the day as a driver you pretty much have one reputation chance," said Deegan, who will drive the No. 4 Monster Energy Ford in the ARCA ranks. "When you blow it, when you don't do good, that kind of sits with you. It's hard to get rid of that.

"I think it's definitely important for me and the people who support me and are coming with me along the journey that we want to have success where we go. When we move up to the next level, we want to make sure we do it at the right time and I'm ready for it and they're ready to take the step.

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"I think we're definitely taking the right route and process. If we can stick to what we're doing, stick to the game plan, it should be good."

Deegan has contested her early stock car career in Toyota equipment. Although grateful for the opportunities it presented, she said she felt this alliance with Ford would be beneficial long-term with increased opportunity.

And, she noted often Tuesday, her family has a long relationship with the manufacturer. Her father, Brian Deegan, won a gold medal in the 2011 X Games driving a Ford Fiesta in the Global Rallycross Championship.

"I think it gives me the confidence to know that we made the right decision, confident in my future and my development just because we're all on the same page," Deegan said.

Rushbrook indicated there was no rush to get Deegan into one of NASCAR's three national series until she was legitimately ready.

"No comment on the length of the contract or even the progression," Rushbrook said. "I think the great thing has been since the very first conversation that we want to see Hailie succeed and take the steps when the timing is right."

Deegan's first formal time behind the Ford steering wheel will come at the Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 3, 2020 -- the traditional three-day test session for the Jan. 25-26 IMSA season-opening Rolex 24 sports car race weekend. Deegan will make her sports car debut on Friday, Jan. 25 with teammate Chase Briscoe in the Michelin Pilot Challenge.

--By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service. Special to Field Level Media.

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