NASCAR Driver Katherine Legge Initially Aimed for Nothing More Than Racing Success, but Now Uses Platform to Demonstrate Her Capabilities in the Sport
In a whirlwind NASCAR Cup Series debut at Phoenix Raceway, racing driver Katherine Legge found herself under an intense limelight. As the first woman to compete in an elite-level event in seven years, coinciding with International Women's Day, Legge became the center of attention.
With fierce scrutiny looming, Legge's rookie run was nothing short of a roller coaster ride, as she described to CNN Sports. Former champion Kevin Harvick remarked that she'd been "thrown to the wolves."
Legge, now 44, boasts an impressive motorsport resume. She's driven a diverse array of vehicles, from IndyCars and open wheel cars to electric cars and sports cars. However, her experience in stock cars was limited. With an opportunity from Live Fast Motorsports, a team that provides new talent a pathway into the sport, Legge expected to simply show her competence, with finishing the race being hailed a great result.
However, Legge didn't make it to the checkered flag; her race ended around halfway through as a result of a second spin that led to a crash with Daniel Suárez, who was sixth at the time of the accident. Legge struggled to control her Chevrolet initially but was finding her rhythm before fatefully understeering on a turn during the 215 lap event.
"I was bitterly disappointed," Legge lamented. "I received a massive backlash from some of the fans, which was not what I'd hoped for either."
Legge has been advised to steer clear of the negative comments online but understands that she was criticized for being allowed to compete despite her limited experience. "But the problem there," she questions, "is how do you get the experience?"
Legge assumes full responsibility for the incident and quickly apologized to Suárez. However, she feels set up to fail, as there is no testing, no practice, and only one session before qualifying and the race.
In the face of these challenges, Legend voices gratitude for those within the paddock who have spoken up in her defense. Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out Legge's triple disadvantage: competing in a car that doesn't perform well, having no practice, and being a rookie. Disregarding the criticism from some fans, Legge appreciates the support from the other drivers.
While disappointed with her results, Legge finds solace in the positive reactions to her racing as the first woman in NASCAR's premier series since Danica Patrick in 2018. Social media clips of young girls witnessing her race circulated, which she reposted on Instagram along with a heartfelt message.
Legge continues to emerge as the most prominent female racing driver worldwide. In 2023, she outqualified all her male teammates at the Indy 500, becoming the fastest female to qualify for the prestigious race at The Brickyard. Despite her accomplishments, she doesn't view herself as a trailblazer, praising previous female racers like Janet Guthrie and Lyn St. James for breaking barriers.
"I'm just trying to be a racecar driver. It's not like I feel I'm any different," Legge told CNN. In the aftermath of her Phoenix Raceway debut, Legge is determined to prove her worth in NASCAR, stay focused on the paddock, and seek redemption for her performance.
Despite the backlash and criticism she received, Katherine Legge, a motorsport veteran with an impressive resume, remains undeterred in her pursuit of success in NASCAR. In the face of limited testing, practice, and her status as a rookie, she finds solace in the support from fellow drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and acknowledges the triple disadvantages she faces. Legge was literally dismissed by some fans online, but she questions, "how do you get the experience?" when discussing her limited opportunity to demonstrate her competence.
