Hailie Deegan’s transition from the Truck series to the Xfinity series and her subsequent replacement by veteran Joey Logano under AM Racing has sparked intense discourse within the NASCAR community. The crux of the controversy stems from Kevin Harvick’s pointed critique during an episode of his podcast, ‘Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour’, where he analyzed Deegan’s strategic career errors, notably her move from Toyota’s development system to Ford.
Harvick did not mince words when he expressed dissatisfaction with Ford’s developmental strategy for its drivers. He stated:
“The big mistake here was getting out of the Toyota development system. I think Ford has the worst development program as far as their drivers go.
“I think Toyota has the best, and I think Chevy’s somewhere in the middle. Getting out of that Toyota development program with all the resources, and they’re willing to give time.”
James Gilbert/Getty Images
Adding to his harsh dissection, Harvick opined that Deegan would have benefited from more time in the Truck series, emphasizing the need for more substantial guidance and mentorship to fully hone her talents. He lamented:
“I think that she needed more time in the Truck Series, getting that guidance and mentorship that she needed in order to develop into what she needed to be a NASCAR race-car driver.
“I think it’s going to be tough to get another chance. That’s going to be the hard part.”
Harvick’s comments have split NASCAR’s fan base. Some echo his sentiment regarding Toyota’s apparent superior developmental approach, which they argue clearly allocates more resources towards nurturing burgeoning talent. On the other hand, detractors point out that while Ford offered Deegan a ladder to higher series racing, her failure to capitalize on the opportunity should not solely be blamed on the developmental program. According to Essentially Sports, one fan noted that Deegan was “bottlenecked” at Toyota, suggesting that her switch, while risky, was a necessary gamble for progress.
This dialogue among fans reveals a broader debate on the effectiveness of developmental programs within NASCAR, with continuous comparisons drawn between industry titans Toyota, Ford, and Chevy. Each program’s strategy in nurturing future racing stars remains a hot topic, particularly as it pertains to providing young talents like Deegan the best platform for success.
The issue also brings to light the significant influence of veteran voices like Harvick’s in shaping perceptions within the industry.
Below is just a selection of the fan comments on social media platform X discussing Harvick’s remarks.
I’m a hard-core Ford guy and even I think she should’ve never left Toyota. I don’t wanna say it ruined her career, but it definitely set her back in the long run . I really hope she goes to the CARS Tour .
— PK (@pkintheuniverse) July 17, 2024
I agree Toyota has a better program. Did she leave for Ford or did she leave because Toyota didn’t see promise in her? It doesn’t look like any of the top Cup teams have any interest in a female driver. Why?
— Dan Oliksowycz (@dolik302) July 17, 2024
@KevinHarvick hit the nail on the head. Ford has done nothing for her and they don’t have a driver development program like Toyota does. I think her father had a lot of say with the Ford deal and it was his decision for her to leave Toyota for Ford to begin with
— Steven Brown (@StevenBrown88) July 17, 2024
He’s not wrong. She’s a victim of being progressed to fast. And the Toyota thing is also legit. She had nowhere near the support from Ford she needed
— Brian Whitcomb (@BdwhitcBrian) July 18, 2024
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
