Katherine Legge has made a name for herself in various forms of motorsport, from IndyCar to IMSA sports car racing to electric cars. But when the British driver made her NASCAR Cup Series debut at Phoenix Raceway this year, she quickly realized how different stock car racing can be.
After a rough first race, fans had plenty to say, and so did NASCAR spotter Brett Griffin, who shared some crucial advice for Legge future in the sport.
A Tough First Race for Katherine Legge
Driving the No. 78 Chevrolet for Live Fast Motorsports, Legge’s first NASCAR Cup Series race didn’t go as planned. She spun twice, recovering the first time, but the second spin led to a crash that also took out Daniel Suárez. This immediately drew criticism from fans, with some even comparing Legge’s struggles to those of former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick.
Despite the setback, Legge didn’t shy away from the lessons she learned. She called her debut a “baptism of fire” and admitted Cup racing was much more challenging than she expected. While she has plenty of experience in open-wheel racing, endurance racing, and even the ARCA Menards Series, her lack of time in a Cup car played a big role in her struggles.
NASCAR Spotter Brett Griffin Points Out Key to Success
Griffin, a well-respected NASCAR spotter, weighed in on Legge’s performance, offering some direct but valuable advice.
“NASCAR has 3 touring series. Experience is the key BEFORE going to Cup,” he said, emphasizing that NASCAR’s three major touring series — the Truck Series, the Xfinity Series, and the Cup Series — are designed to help drivers develop before competing at the highest level.
Nascar has 3 touring series. Experience is the key BEFORE going to Cup.
— Brett Griffin (@SpotterBrett) March 20, 2025
Unlike other forms of racing, NASCAR requires a unique driving style. Many of today’s top drivers spent years in the lower divisions before reaching the Cup Series. Griffin stressed that gaining experience in the Truck or Xfinity Series first would have given Legge a better foundation before jumping into Cup competition.
What’s Next for Legge?
Legge remains determined to make her mark in NASCAR. She has competed in some of the world’s toughest racing series, and while her Cup debut didn’t go as planned, she sees it as a learning opportunity.
Legge acknowledges that her NASCAR experience is still limited and understands that more seat time in the lower series could be key to a successful return.
Whether she gets another shot at the Cup Series remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — Legge isn’t backing down from the challenge. If she takes Griffin’s advice and gains more experience in NASCAR’s feeder series, Legge could return stronger and prove she belongs in the sport’s top tier.
Legge finished 30th in a field of 37.
She did better than 7 full-time Cup drivers.
During practice she asked her spotter and crew chief whether she was losing speed on corner entry or corner exit…they said “don’t worry about it”.
She needs to race for a better team.