Katherine Legge responds to controversy after NASCAR debut, addresses future in Cup Series

Since making her NASCAR Cup Series debut at Phoenix two weeks ago, Katherine Legge has been caught up in a small controversy. It isn’t an issue with Legge necessarily, but the way NASCAR conducts its approval process.

Katherine Legge was in the Indianapolis 500 just a year ago. She is still racing at a high level, especially for a 44-year-old driver. When she entered Phoenix, it was in the Live Fast No. 78. An open entry and the slowest car on the track.

A spin just a few laps into the race wasn’t great. But Legge found her footing eventually only to spin again in a bad aero situation and wreck Daniel Suárez out of 6th place.

Speaking with CNN, Legge opened up about her future in NASCAR, and the experience as a whole. She garnered a lot of attention at Phoenix.

“I was bitterly disappointed,” she told CNN Sports. “I got a massive backlash from some of the fans which was obviously not what I’d hoped for either.”

The British driver went on further. She echoed many of the same sentiments other drivers have about the approval process.

“There is no testing, there is no practice, there is literally one session before qualifying and then you go race,” Legge continued. “I understand making your way up through the ladder series, like doing Xfinity and trucks, but the Next Gen Cup car doesn’t drive like an Xfinity or a truck at all, in any way, shape or form, it’s kind of its own unique beast. To get experience, you have to do the races.”

Katherine Legge is right, NASCAR has to change process

Katherine Legge isn’t wrong. She and others entering NASCAR for the first time are not set up to succeed. I’m sure Kyle Larson wouldn’t have qualified 6th for the Indy 500 if he didn’t have as much track time as IndyCar allows.

For Legge, this isn’t the end of her NASCAR attempts, either. She’s going to be back for more.

“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?”

NASCAR can attract a lot of eyeballs with outside drivers. These guest appearances are great for the sport. Shane van Gisbergen has parlayed his one race and win at Chicago in 2023 into a full-time Cup Series ride.

So, there has to be a change. We have heard from Suárez, Kevin Harvick, and others that the process has to change. Or at least the restrictions on testing and practice have to change. If drivers aren’t given the tools to succeed, then what is the point in spending money to race NASCAR?