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Bringing news from the worlds of NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula 1 together in a single episode is no small ask, but Wyatt Watson and Michael Finley are up for it.
NASCAR driver Hailie Deegan‘s recent announcement of her impending move to Indy NXT with HMD Motorsports for 2025 raises several questions including, but not limited to, the feasibility of stock car drivers transitioning to open-wheel racing, how realistically a driver can move from Indy NXT to IndyCar and how Deegan’s large social media following may benefit her own campaign as well as the marketability of Indy NXT.
Meanwhile, Haas F1’s new partnership with Toyota leaves much to be revealed. At the moment, the Japanese manufacturer is insistent that a factory return to F1 is not on their radar, but it’s not a crime to dream, right? How will this relationship impact Haas’ NASCAR operations, where the team is partnered with Ford?
“The Pit Straight” is Frontstretch‘s open-wheel racing podcast, available during the racing season weekly on Tuesdays on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and right here on the web.
Alex is the IndyCar Content Director at Frontstretch, having initially joined as an entry-level contributor in 2021. He also serves as Managing Director of The Asia Cable, a publication focused on the international affairs and politics of the Asia-Pacific region which he co-founded in 2023. With previous experience in China, Japan and Poland, Alex is particularly passionate about the international realm of motorsport and the politics that make the wheels turn - literally - behind the scenes.
Nascar has always been sexist and until recently racist (see: Wendell Scott.) Janet Guthre, Shawna Robinson, Danica Patrick, Jennifer Jo Cobb, Gracie Trotter, Hailie Deegan and at Kansas Isabella Robusto gets put in the wall after getting the poll in the race. Nascar is still unfriendly to women. The EEOC should investigate them.
Lack of training tools for younger drivers .
I totally disagree. It’s not discrimination but lack of highest-level talent in driving stock cars.
Deegen was given more opportunities than a comparable male driver would have, same with Danica. I wish her luck in the Indy world, but it just may be that the lighter open-wheelers are more suited for women drivers than stock cars. I still believe that Danica could have been an Indy 500 winner if she stayed there. There are 99 (or more) problems with NASCAR but deliberate sex discrimination isn’t one of them.
What little I’ve seen of Hailie in interviews I’ve liked her and thought she presented herself well. Much better than Danica. She’s young, so maybe she will adjust and possibly even find open wheel fits her driving style better? Who knows. Would be nice if she could eventually land a full season ride and be successful at it. There has been a bit of a void since Sarah Fisher retired – nothing against Legge, but she seems to kind of fly under the radar. Indycar could use a high profile, relatable female with a strong fan base in the field.
I mean, it isn’t like she doesn’t have any open wheel racing under her belt, been racing micros for years.