The NASCAR K&N series will have a new female driver in 2018, as Hailie Deegan has been called up by Bill McAnally Racing (BMR) to run the full K&N West schedule.

Deegan, 16, comes from extreme sports stock. Known as “The Dirt Princess,” she is the daughter of X-Games athlete Brian Deegan and cut her teeth in motocross. Hailie has decided to continue the Deegan name in motorsports but found her niche on four wheels instead of her father’s two.

Deegan was part of this year’s NASCAR Drive for Diversity program and joins K&N after participating in off-road racing and paved Super Late Models.

She raced off-road since age 8 and was the first female driver to win a race and a championship in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series. Her first win came in 2014, when she was still 13 years old.

Most recently she has been gaining experience in oval racing at Madera Speedway in Central California, where she had multiple podium finishes in her Super Late.

Deegan will be competing for overall points and Rookie of the Year in the West while running a few East races when the schedule allows.

BMR President Bill McAnally is excited to have the young driver in his stable for the 2018 season.

“We’re very pleased to announce that Hailie will make her debut in the NASCAR K&N Series driving for Bill McAnally Racing,” McAnally said. “She’s a very talented driver who brings with her a lot of energy and excitement.”

For her part, Deegan is feels lucky to join the series in competitive equipment.

Having the opportunity to start at a young age with a well-established team should help the driver find her comfort level in a Stock Car and rise through the ranks. BMR captured its third straight championship in the West division this year with Todd Gilliland.

“I’m really excited,” Deegan said. “This is the best team and equipment in the series. BMR has been great to work with. I look forward to racing at a high level on the East and West Coasts with the top team. We are ready to put in the work to continue being a serious competitor.”

Deegan joins the series as the recipient of the NASCAR Diversity Young Racer award. Her previously earned acclaim means that she brings a fan following with her that will help keep her an attractive option to marketing partners.

Deegan’s father is ready to see his daughter compete at the K&N level and is hopeful that she is ready for the amount of work involved to be successful.

“We are looking forward to Hailie racing for such a top championship team as BMR,” Brian Deegan said. “We know the effort it takes to be a serious contender in the series, and she is prepared to put in the work to run up front. The road won’t be easy, as winning never is, but she’s ready to take on the challenge and looks forward to it.”

By Victoria Beaver

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