KATHERINE LEGGE Makes NASCAR History with Top-20 Chicago Street Race Finish

July 7, 2025

GRRL! SUMMARY:

KATHERINE LEGGE made NASCAR history at Chicago’s Grant Park 165, finishing 19th to become the first woman with a top-20 Cup Series result since DANICA PATRICK’s 17th place at Texas in November 2017. At 44 and driving for underdog Live Fast Motorsports, she outran stars like Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell on the chaotic street course, proving her open-wheel and sports car experience translates beautifully to stock cars when given the chance.
The historic finish came after a season of setbacks that would’ve broken lesser drivers – a debut spin with Daniel Suárez at Phoenix, a Talladega DNF, and vicious online backlash after a Rockingham incident that wasn’t even her fault. LEGGE refused to let the critics define her journey, addressing the unfair vitriol head-on while keeping her focus on proving she belongs in NASCAR’s top series alongside the sport’s biggest names.
Fan reaction exploded online as NASCAR supporters finally gave LEGGE her flowers, with many calling for teams like Kaulig Racing or Legacy Motor Club to take notice of her road course prowess. The buzz mirrors how international drivers like Shane van Gisbergen have found success, and fans are now demanding apologies from those who questioned her credentials – which include Indy 500 starts, sports car wins, and decades of racing pedigree that should’ve earned respect from day one.