Deegan’s Downfall Avenged? Hailie Deegan’s NASCAR Replacement Struggles to Make a Mark
The NASCAR spotlight has shifted once again, this time shining on Hailie Deegan and her former replacement, Lawless Alan. After a disappointing 2024 season that saw Deegan part ways with AM Racing following 17 winless Xfinity Series races, the 23-year-old shifted gears—literally—announcing her move to Indy NXT and plans to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in 2025. While Deegan eyes new horizons, her former seat hasn’t been faring much better.
Alan’s Stumble in Deegan’s Shadow
Alan, a 24-year-old who spent three years in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, was tapped to replace Deegan midseason. However, his performance fell far short of expectations. In his Xfinity debut at Kansas, Alan wrecked the No. 15 AUTOChargit Ford Mustang and limped to a disappointing 35th-place finish. His Truck Series campaign wasn’t much better, with just a single top-five and top-ten finish at Talladega Superspeedway, along with a string of results outside the top 20.
Alan’s underwhelming year has now led to a downgrade: he’ll compete in the ARCA Menards Series in 2025, driving Venturini Motorsports’ No. 20 AUTOparkit Toyota Camry. Despite this step back, Alan remains optimistic.
“It feels good to have this type of confidence going into the season,” Alan said. “Knowing Venturini has the resources allows me to be more aggressive with my mindset. I fully expect to compete each week for wins. I think once I see my name at the top of the speed charts, I know we’ll be ready for business.”
Fans React
Fans, however, have been far less forgiving. Social media was ablaze with criticisms of Alan’s move to ARCA, with some calling his career trajectory a “failure upward.” One sarcastic fan commented, “Guess ARCA is getting a little lawless this year.” Another noted the financial backing from his father, the CEO of AUTOparkit, suggesting that sponsorship rather than talent has kept him afloat. “How does he keep failing upwards? Oh wait, it’s money,” quipped another fan.
Some fans even reflected on AM Racing’s decision to part ways with Deegan in favor of Alan, calling it a misstep that has only harmed the team. “I reckon that means he won’t be heading to a second AM Racing car in the Xfinity Series next year,” one fan speculated.
Deegan Moves On
Meanwhile, Hailie Deegan has her sights set on greener pastures. After announcing her shift to Indy NXT and a shot at the Indianapolis 500, Deegan is focused on rebuilding her career outside of NASCAR. While her replacement struggles to find footing, Deegan’s path forward seems poised for growth and redemption.
As the 2025 ARCA season approaches, all eyes will be on Lawless Alan to see if he can finally deliver results—or if Deegan’s exit from NASCAR will continue to overshadow his every move.
