Hailie Deegan has moved from Toyota to Ford in a driver development deal announced Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. Ford will work to fast-track the rising star into one of NASCAR’s national series over the next few seasons. Courtesy/@hailiedeegan
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JENNA FRYER
AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hailie Deegan, a rising 18-year-old star in motorsports from Temecula, was named a development driver with Ford Performance on Tuesday in a deal that could fast-track her progression into a NASCAR national series.
Deegan spent the last two years as part of Toyota's crowded development field before the switch. The partnership with Ford will give her numerous opportunities to race this season, including the full ARCA schedule as well select sports car events in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.
Deegan in ARCA will race for DGR-Crosley, which last week became a Ford Performance team. She will drive a Mustang GT4 with Multimatic Motorsports in IMSA.
"Hailie has shown in her brief time behind the wheel of a stock car that she's go
