In early March, Katherine Legge made her NASCAR Cup Series debut, hoping for a strong outing. However, the fallout from a tough race continues to make headlines, and the 44-year-old has had enough.
Legge, the first woman driver in the Cup Series since 2018, drew extra attention at Phoenix Raceway. But her fairytale debut didn’t have a happy ending. The No. 78 driver crashed into Daniel Suarez, ending his race and sparking plenty of criticism. Now, Legge is focused on one thing — redemption.
Katherine Legge Wants Shot at Redemption
With Kevin Harvick claiming Legge had been thrown to the wolves in Phoenix, the Shriners Children’s 400 became a baptism by fire for the first woman in the Cup Series in seven years.
The British driver is under increasing fire from NASCAR fans, with critics questioning her skills behind the wheel. Still, Legge is determined to get another shot at the sport’s top level and prove her doubters wrong.
“I think the naysayers are wrong, so I’m definitely going to go back and try again. I love the NASCAR paddock, and I see a future there — and anyway, I need redemption now, right?” Legge told CNN.
“I never set out to be the representative for women in motorsports … but it comes with a responsibility, and so I try to do the very best job with that that I can."
Katherine Legge speaks with @donriddellCNN about her point to prove in NASCAR: https://t.co/7x2RVOwKkN pic.twitter.com/UIDIx3Szqp
— CNN Sports (@cnnsport) March 19, 2025
Believing each driver should be judged on merit, she knows the responsibility that comes with her role. That’s why Legge tries to make the most of every opportunity she gets.
Still, making an impact matters to her — especially when she sees videos of young girls watching women race and believing they can achieve anything.
Legge’s call for a redemption drive is backed by her track record — particularly in the 2023 Indy 500. There, she outqualified all her male teammates and became the fastest woman to ever qualify for the race at The Brickyard.
Even then, Legge didn’t view herself as a trailblazer. For her, that title belongs to pioneers like Janet Guthrie and Lyn St. James, who raced in a time when there weren’t even female restrooms at the track, let alone any other accommodations.
Today, Legge says she doesn’t face those same challenges — certainly, real progress has been made — and that’s why she doesn’t see herself as groundbreaking just yet.