Famed stock car racing driver Hailie Deegan’s anticipated switch to single-seaters is now official, as she will debut in Formula Regional Americas next month.
The 23-year-old will race for the Toney Driver Development team at Circuit of the Americas on November 2/3, alongside Brady Golan.
Both drivers and the team are new to the series.
Deegan spent three years in NASCAR’s third-tier Truck Series, with two sixth places being her best results, then this year stepped up to the Xfinity Series and has a best finish of 12th so far. She has won at the regional level in NASCAR, and has built a huge online following with her racing exploits.
There have been reports over recent months that she would be appearing on the single-seater scene soon, potentially even in IndyCar’s primary feeder series Indy Nxt.
“I’m beyond excited to be making my first open-wheel start at COTA with TDD,” said Deegan. “I have competed in a handful of races at COTA, and I am looking forward to my first open-wheel race start being at a track I’m familiar with. Standing starts will be new for me, but I’m always up for a challenge and the opportunity to continue to learn and drive.”
Golan is 17 and has a history in single-seaters. This year he came 13th in USF2000 and 12th in USF Juniors, with one top-five finish in the latter, and in 2023 he was 10th in the latter series. He made select outings in entry-level series in 2022.
“I see this as a big step in my career, and I know I have the right team supporting me. The talent and dedication around this team are great, and I hope to show what we are capable of,” said Golan.
TFF team boss Nathan Toney explained how the move into FRegional Americas came about:
“[It] is going to be no easy task, especially as the 2024 season is set to conclude at COTA. I am thankful for the opportunity to enter TDD, Brady, and Hailie, but it could not have been possible if it wasn’t for the help of some very talented and big-hearted people. A huge thank you to Kiwi Motorsport for their guidance and willingness to help a small program like mine jump onto the national scene. They have always been a phone call away and have been open to making sure I have what we need to go racing.”
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