Hailie Deegan returns to stock cars with 2026 ARCA West campaign at BMR

Hailie Deegan is set to make her return to stock car racing as she joins Bill McAnally Racing for the full 2026 ARCA West campaign.

Photo credits: BMR

Hailie Deegan is set to make her return to stock car racing as she joins Bill McAnally Racing for the full 2026 ARCA West campaign.

Bill McAnally Racing announced that Hailie Deegan will rejoin the team in 2026, marking her return to the ARCA Menards Series West as she targets her first championship in the category. Deegan will contest all 13 rounds of the season in the #16 Chevrolet SS.

The move brings Deegan back to the team where she first made headlines in the series; Deegan previously spent two seasons with BMR in 2018 and 2019, scoring three victories and recording 13 top-five finishes and 23 top-10 results across 28 starts.

In 2020, Deegan graduated to ARCA, running consistently in the top ten to finish third in the standings. She competed in NASCAR Trucks from 2021 to 2023, with five top-10 results, while climbing to Xfinity in 2024.

“I couldn’t be more excited to reunite with Bill [McAnally] and the BMR team,” Deegan said. “I’ve been away from stock cars for a bit but am focused on coming back stronger and competing for wins and a championship. Having Columbia Bank and Monster Energy on board and working with NAPA Auto Care again is going to be a thrill, and our goal is to get them to victory lane multiple times this year.”

Deegan attempted a move to single seater racing in late 2024, contesting one round in Formula Regional Americas with the aim of contesting her rookie Indy NXT season in 2025. Joining HMD Motorsports in Indycar's top feeder series, Deegan had a learning-oriented season, in a field of international drivers with years of open wheel racing's experience. She however made good steps forward over the season, closing in on a top ten with a personal best of P12 and P11 at the Laguna Seca double-header. She finished the season with more progress, finishing again in the top 15 at Milwaukee and Nashville.

In 2026, Deegan will return to the more familiar ground of stock car competitions; her campaign will be supported by long-time BMR partner NAPA Auto Care, as the team enters its 36th year working with the NAPA brand. Columbia Bank will feature on the #16 Chevrolet at four events, alongside Monster Energy as part of the programme.

“Having Hailie back on our team is incredibly special,” Bill McAnally said. “We enjoyed working together several years ago and won some races. I see the commitment she has for competing at this level and we want to be part of her success. She has the knowledge of winning out West and we have a great chance to chase our 12th title with her and Mason Massey in the fold.”

Deegan will begin her 2026 ARCA Menards Series West title bid on Saturday, February 28, at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, as she looks to add another championship to the storied BMR record.