Katherine Legge’s NASCAR Debut Raises Concerns Over Driver Preparation

The first woman to race in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2018 faced challenges due to limited practice time, sparking calls for systemic changes.

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.