Hailie Deegan’s weekend at the Indy NXT Detroit Grand Prix came to an early halt after she was caught in a significant 10-car crash on the first lap of the race on Sunday. The incident unfolded at Turn 4 when Callum Hedge rear-ended Myles Rowe’s car, causing Rowe to spin and set off a chain reaction involving multiple drivers. While Hedge managed to exit the corner, confusion and chaos quickly followed behind him on the track.
Deegan’s No. 38 car from HMD Motorsports was positioned near the back of the congestion, initially escaping damage. However, the situation worsened when Ricardo Escotto, who had started in last place, collided with her vehicle. This second impact severely damaged her car, forcing an unexpected pit stop to address the harm.
Deegan Details Damage and Challenges Following the Crash
In a candid update on her Snapchat story, Deegan described the effects of the wreck on her race and vehicle. She recounted how the initial crash halted her momentum and how she was hit again from behind. The damage included a destroyed front wing and bent components at the rear that required urgent repairs during the race.
“Well guys, that kind of sucked. Lap one, there was a massive wreck hogging up the track. Got absolutely smoked. I ended up getting stopped in time, barely tapped in front of me, not enough to damage, and then I got smoked by someone else from behind. It killed the front wing and also broke something in the rear. So we had to come to pit road, make few changes. Had to change the bars in the back, ‘coz the bar was all bent and stuff. So they got that changed.”
—Hailie Deegan, Driver
After a swift repair by her team, Deegan was able to rejoin the race, but she faced a considerable deficit, falling multiple laps behind the leaders. She adjusted her goals accordingly, focusing on completing laps and gathering useful data despite the setbacks.
“We were like three laps down (after it). So we were kind of out from the start. So made laps, learnt, ran my fastest lap during the race, so I was happy with that. Had some good data to look at, but bummed on how it started. What a long race, didn’t even make three corners for a wreck.”
—Hailie Deegan, Driver
Deegan’s Rookie Season and Performance Before Detroit Incident
Prior to the Detroit Grand Prix wreck, Hailie Deegan had maintained a steady rookie season in Indy NXT, avoiding crashes and showing gradual improvement. Apart from a close call where she nearly lost control exiting Turn 1 at Barber Motorsports Park, she managed clean race weekends. Although qualifying challenges left her starting toward the back for Detroit, she ultimately finished 16th, improving two positions after a difficult qualification.
Focus on Growth and Learning Rather Than Immediate Results
Throughout the season, Deegan has emphasized developing her skills and understanding of open-wheel racing over chasing immediate victories. Having transitioned to Indy NXT in 2025 after primarily competing in NASCAR and some dirt track events, she recognizes the steep learning curve involved with the switch to formula cars.
Reflecting on her progress after the Indianapolis Grand Prix in May, Deegan noted consistent improvements in her lap times and overall racecraft.
“Every time I hit the track, I’m improving. So that’s kind of my goal. Keep chipping away at it, chipping away at it. And there hasn’t been a time where I’ve been on track and gotten backtracked. I’ve constantly been getting better, so that’s constantly my goal for at least these practice sessions,”
—Hailie Deegan, Driver
Looking ahead, Deegan prepares for her next Indy NXT race at the World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis, a 1.25-mile oval track. This event will mark her first oval race in the series, though she gained valuable experience earlier this year with testing sessions at Nashville Superspeedway. The oval challenge represents another step in her ongoing development within open-wheel racing.
