Hailie Deegan Joins Ford’s NASCAR Program with High Hopes for 2020

At the Ford Performance Center, the newest Ford driver, Hailie Deegan, discussed her exciting move to Ford’s driver development program. Deegan emphasized that this collaboration feels natural due to her father’s past relationship with Ford. “My dad’s had a good, long-standing relationship with Ford, and I think that Ford’s commitment to a driver development program is something really exciting for me,” she said.

Deegan is set to run the full ARCA schedule in 2020. When asked about her goals, she expressed her aim for top 5 finishes, progressing to top 3s, and ultimately, victories. She praised DGR and its team, particularly highlighting the benefit of having racer-turned-team owner David Gilliland.

Looking towards the future, Deegan mentioned her interest in potentially moving to the truck series by the end of the year, depending on how the ARCA season unfolds. Additionally, she will be participating in some IMSA racing, driving a Mustang at Daytona, despite her primary experience being in dirt racing. Deegan is optimistic about broadening her skills and becoming a well-rounded driver.

Deegan has carefully paced her career, focusing on mastering each level before moving up. She and Ford share the vision of winning races at the lower levels before progressing. “We’re both on the same page about moving up only after achieving success at each step,” Deegan concluded. With Ford’s support, Deegan is poised for a promising season in 2020.