Overview

• Katherine Legge became the first woman to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series race since Danica Patrick in 2018, but her debut at Phoenix Raceway ended after two spins, including a crash with Daniel Suárez.
• Legge criticized NASCAR's limited practice policies, implemented post-COVID, for failing to adequately prepare new drivers for the unique demands of the NextGen Cup car.
• Veteran drivers, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick, defended Legge, arguing that NASCAR's system, rather than her skill, was to blame for her struggles.
• The incident has intensified discussions about diversity in motorsports and the need for reforms in NASCAR's approval process and practice formats to better support new entrants.
• Despite the setbacks, Legge has expressed determination to return to NASCAR and prove her capabilities, while inspiring young girls who see her as a role model in the sport.