Hailie Deegan captured her fourth ARCA Menard’s West Series victory in a two‑lap sprint at Madera Speedway, ending a near‑seven‑year gap since her last win in the division.
Victory at Madera Speedway
The 0.333‑mile track saw Deegan initiate a hot inside restart behind Trevor Huddleston, driving BMC’s well‑tuned chassis for a decisive two‑lap dash to the finish line.
She leaned away from Huddleston in the final corner, found the optimum line, and surged to the checkered flag, giving her the series’ highest‑level win for the year.
Deegan’s Emotional Take‑away
Post‑race, Deegan wiped tears from her face and spoke candidly: “I told myself I’d capitalize if I’m in position. I’m going to win this race because we have a car capable of victory.”
She praised Bill McAnally Racing for delivering an “amazing car” and thanked fans for keeping belief alive during tough stretches, noting that even her filmer was moved.
Career Profile and Context
Deegan’s motorsport journey began in ARCA West in 2018, leading to three wins across her first two seasons and a 2019 third‑place championship finish. She moved to the primary ARCA series in 2020, then spent 2021‑2023 full‑time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
After an abbreviated 2024 Truck season and a 2025 Indy NXT stint that faltered, Deegan returned to ARCA West in 2026, ready for a complete campaign and entering the race sixth in the championship standings.
She joins a select group of women who have claimed the checkered flag in any division of NASCAR, alongside pioneers like Shawna Robinson, Manami Kobayashi, Gracie Trotter, and recent winner Tatiana Calderon of the NASCAR Brazil Series.
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