Katherine Legge Reflects on “Embarrassing” NASCAR Cup Series Debut at Phoenix
Katherine Legge, the British racecar driver, has spoken candidly about her NASCAR Cup Series debut at Phoenix Raceway, admitting she felt embarrassed by the race-ending incident that also impacted Daniel Suarez. Despite the setback, Legge remains determined to prove her place in the sport.
The 44-year-old Legge, driving the No. 78 Chevrolet Camaro for Live Fast Motorsports, crashed on lap 215 after contact in Turn 2, collecting Daniel Suarez, who had been running in sixth position on the lead lap. The incident resulted in Legge’s early exit from the race, while Suarez was relegated further down the field, ultimately finishing 23rd.
Legge described the experience as a learning opportunity, acknowledging her mistake and the disappointment of not achieving her goal of finishing the race. “I was embarrassed by the way that it ended because I made a mistake, and nobody likes to make mistakes,” Legge stated on her podcast, Throttle Therapy. “It was not my best work, let’s say.”
She emphasized the pressure she felt, saying, “Everybody does make mistakes, but I was definitely under the spotlight, and I was trying my best not to make mistakes. I was giving everybody so much room and so much respect, and trying to do everything right, and that mistakes obviously got me a lot of negative attention.”
Suarez Doesn’t Blame Legge, Criticizes NASCAR
While Legge faced criticism for the crash, Daniel Suarez surprisingly didn’t place blame on her. Instead, he directed his criticism toward NASCAR, arguing that the organization shouldn’t allow drivers with limited stock car experience to compete at the Cup Series level.
Legge explained that she spoke with Suarez after the incident, and he was understanding. She recounted the conversation: “Daniel was very sweet, actually, very kind and understanding. He was like, ‘Listen, I don’t blame you. Of course, what happened was less than ideal for me.’ Which I said, ‘Listen, it was not intention. I know that doesn’t make that any better, but I was trying my best to stay out of trouble actually, and it was just a mistake.'”
Suarez’s own comments were direct: “There’s nothing wrong with her [Katherine Legge]. What is wrong is NASCAR. They cannot allow somebody with no experience to run in the Cup Series. Plain and simple.”
Legge, who has been given the go-ahead by NASCAR to compete on road courses and short ovals, recognizes that participating in Xfinity Series races could help her gain valuable experience with stock cars. In the incident, Legge made contact with Josh Berry before spinning out and hitting the inside wall, ultimately collecting Suarez.
Legge’s start at Phoenix marked the first time a female driver had participated in a NASCAR Cup Series race since Danica Patrick in the 2018 Daytona 500.
