Katherine Legge will become the first woman since Danica Patrick to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series race when she drives in Sunday’s Shriners Children’s 500 in Phoenix.
Legge’s NASCAR Cup Series debut was announced Monday by Live Fast Motorsports. She will drive the No. 78 Chevrolet Camaro.
“Entering the NASCAR Cup Series is a dream come true,” Legge said in a statement. “I’m excited to team up with Live Fast Motorsports for Phoenix, and to represent our sponsors DROPLiGHT and Sherfick Companies.
“Racing stockcars has been an incredibly fun and new challenge that’s given me a renewed sense of vigor for this sport. As always, I’m grateful for the opportunity to do what I love and am inspired by all of the effort, preparation and behind the scenes work it takes to get here.”
Patrick last drove in the 2018 Daytona 500, finishing 35th.
Legge, 44, wants to perform well and learn enough to continue racing in NASCAR and gain valuable experience driving on the Cup Series’ oval track.
“I have to prove competence at the end of the day, right?” Legge told Road & Track. “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.
“I just don’t want to make any mistakes and look silly or look incapable. I think the competitiveness will come with experience.”
Legge has had five starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, most recently in 2023 at Road America. In February, she finished 39th in the ARCA Menards Series’ Ride the ‘Dente race at Daytona International Speedway.
Katherine Legge is approved to race Cup at Phoenix. NASCAR cites her recent competition on high-speed ovals (Indy 500, ARCA test/practice) as well as that race having a 45-minute practice so extended time for NASCAR to observer her.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 3, 2025
During her career, the native of England has competed in 19 IndyCar Series races, including four starts at the Indianapolis 500. In 2023, she set a record at Indy for the fastest qualifying time by a woman.
Above all, Legge doesn’t just want to be known as a woman in auto racing but to be acknowledged for her accomplishments.
“It’s a double-edged sword, because I want it to be done properly and not gimmicky,” she said. “I don’t want to just be a female driver for the sake of ticking a diversity box, right?
“I want to be there on merit, and I want to be a good example for everybody that’s coming up behind me,” Legge added. “I also know that everybody has an opinion on it, whether it’s an informed opinion or not.”
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