American racing driver Hailie Deegan shared a heartfelt birthday message for her mother, Marissa Deegan, on Friday, August 29. The Hailie Deegan birthday post celebrated Marissa, who was born in California in 1977, marking a special family occasion.
Marissa Deegan is married to motocross racer Brian Deegan, with their marriage dating back to 2003. Together, they have three children: Hailie Deegan; Haiden Deegan, an amateur and professional rider signed with Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing; and Hudson Deegan, who competes in youth motocross events. The family’s deep involvement in motorsports highlights their shared passion and commitment to racing careers.
To honor her mother’s birthday, Hailie, currently racing in the Indy NXT series with HMD Motorsports, posted a warm and brief message on her Instagram stories saying, “Happy Birthday, Mom, love you!” Their close bond resonated warmly with fans across social media platforms.
Hailie Deegan has gained recognition as one of the prominent female drivers in American motorsports. She has previously participated in the ARCA Menards Series as well as NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series and the Xfinity Series. Since 2020, she has competed regularly in the Truck Series, achieving five top-10 finishes across 69 races. However, her 18 appearances in the Xfinity Series have yet to yield a podium finish.
In the current 2025 Indy NXT season, the 24-year-old driver sits 15th in the driver standings with 185 points. Despite consistent participation, she has not secured any top-five or top-10 race finishes this year, demonstrating the challenges she faces adapting to open-wheel racing.
Adjusting to Physical Demands in Indy NXT Racing
Hailie Deegan’s entry into the Indy NXT is her first foray into this high-intensity series. She debuted at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which took place from February 28 to March 2. This step into open-wheel racing marks a significant shift from her stock car and truck racing background.
In a recent interview with Front Stretch, Deegan discussed the physical challenges she encounters as she transitions to Indy NXT. She explained how important it is for her to build strength quickly to meet the series’ demands.
“I think the biggest thing for me is definitely the physical side. Getting stronger. I feel like I’m trying to get stronger in a hurry. Because, in the past, NASCAR is not a super physical form of racing. So, I’ve never really had to work on certain things like my physical strength. I’ve been working on that side of things,” she mentioned.
—Hailie Deegan, Indy NXT Driver
“St. Pete, I know, is going to be a curveball for me. Just because I’ve never been on a street course. I’ve never even been to this race before, so I’m just trying to take what I can learn from here.”
—Hailie Deegan, Indy NXT Driver
Hailie’s comments reveal her awareness of the steep learning curve she faces, particularly with unfamiliar tracks like St. Petersburg, which present unique challenges compared to other circuits she has raced on.
Season Outlook and Next Steps for Hailie Deegan
The 2025 Indy NXT season is nearing its conclusion, with only one Grand Prix event left on the calendar: this week’s Music City Grand Prix. As the season finale approaches, Deegan aims to finish strongly and demonstrate progress after a year of adaptation and development in open-wheel racing.
Her family’s extensive racing background, including Brian Deegan’s motocross career and the racing activities of her siblings Haiden and Hudson, offer a supportive environment as she continues to evolve as a driver. The Hailie Deegan birthday post not only celebrated family bonds but also showed an athlete balancing personal milestones with the rigors of competition.
With physical conditioning and race experience improving, supporters hope Hailie can break through her current standings and secure higher finishes, marking a promising future in American motorsports.
