The NASCAR driver and sponsor have offered comments following last night’s race
Hailie Deegan is a 19-year-old racing driver. She’s currently a Ford Development driver.
For 2021, Deegan will begin her rookie year in the NASCAR Truck Series. She’ll make her debut with DGR-Crosley in February.
Deegan was on running multiple events on iRacing last night. Following multiple crashes she called one of her competitors, “retarded”.
For the first time, Deegan was broadcasting the race live, via her own Twitch channel. Fans tuned in from around the world to watch her compete in the digital race. The video from the race has been removed.
“Earlier tonight I used an insensitive word during an online race being broadcast on twitch,” Deegan stated.
She added, “It was inappropriate slang and a stupid thing to do. I apologize to everyone who was offended by it. There’s no excuse for it, and I know I have to do better for my sponsors and my fans.”
Deegan is in her second year with Ford Performance. She was formerly a Toyota driver.
Ford commented, “We are aware of this inappropriate comment. Hailie immediately acknowledged this mistake, has apologized and promised to be much more thoughtful in the future.”
Hailie Deegan became the first female to win an ARCA West race back in 2018. She put the bumper to her teammate, on the dirt and took the race win.
Deegan is the second NASCAR driver to use a slur on the digital racing surface. Previously, Kyle Larson was suspended from NASCAR and fired from Chip Ganassi Racing.
For 2021, Larson’s NASCAR suspension has been lifted. He’s set for a return, this time with Hendrick Motorsports.
Related: Kyle Larson uses n-word in iRacing event
