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This weekend, Katherine Legge will make history at Phoenix Raceway, becoming the first woman to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series race since Danica Patrick’s final appearance in the 2018 Daytona 500. The 44-year-old British racer, known for her experience in IndyCar and sports car events, will drive the No. 78 DROPLiGHT Chevrolet Camaro for Live Fast Motorsports in the Shriners Children’s 500 on Sunday, March 9. Her debut marks a significant moment for women in NASCAR and reignites conversations about their roles in the sport’s top tier.
A New Chapter for Live Fast Motorsports
Legge’s entry into the Cup Series extends Live Fast Motorsports’ partial 2025 schedule. The team, co-owned by BJ and Jessica McLeod, shifted its plans after failing to qualify for the Daytona 500. Recognizing Legge’s potential, they tapped her to pilot the No. 78 car at Phoenix.
“We are thrilled to announce that @katherinelegge will be driving the No. 78 DROPLiGHT Chevy Camaro this week in Phoenix! This will be Katherine’s debut in the NASCAR Cup series,” the team posted on X, emphasizing her role in expanding their 2025 lineup.
Legge’s Humble Approach to the Challenge
Despite her extensive racing background, Legge remains grounded about her Cup Series debut. “I don’t think anybody expects me to go out and set the world on fire and be competitive because it’s the most competitive championship in the world,” she told Road & Track. “I just don’t want to make any mistakes and look silly or look incapable. I think the competitiveness will come with experience.”
Her focus is on mastering Phoenix’s one-mile oval, where precision and strategy often outweigh raw speed.
A Journey Marked by Resilience
Legge’s path to NASCAR has been anything but straightforward. In 2019, a crash during an ELMS test left her with two broken legs. Defying doctors’ expectations, she returned to racing just weeks later, determined to prove her capabilities.
“I went out there and said, ‘I can still do this.’ This is fine, I still know how to hit all my marks, and I still know what I’m doing driving-wise, and I’m not scared of it,” she recalled. Her resilience paid off in 2023 when she set the fastest female qualifying record at the Indianapolis 500.
Learning from NASCAR Veterans
As she prepares for her Cup Series debut, Legge has sought advice from seasoned NASCAR drivers like AJ Allmendinger and Bubba Wallace. Wallace, in particular, offered unsolicited guidance during her time at Daytona.
“He took the time to give me some advice,” she said, highlighting the camaraderie within the racing community.
A Unique Perspective on Diversity
Legge acknowledges the spotlight that comes with being NASCAR’s lone female contender. “It’s a double-edged sword,” she admitted. “I want to be there on merit, not just to tick a diversity box.”
Her approach is simple: let her performance speak for itself. “The car doesn’t know the difference,” she said. “I just want to be seen as another driver.”
Redefining Possibilities at Phoenix
Sunday’s race at Phoenix Raceway is more than just a test of skill for Legge—it’s an opportunity to challenge perceptions and redefine what’s possible for women in motorsports. With decades of global racing experience and a determination to succeed, Legge is ready to make her mark, one lap at a time.
As the green flag drops on the Shriners Children’s 500, all eyes will be on Katherine Legge, a trailblazer proving that barriers are meant to be broken.
