KATHERINE LEGGE’s Phoenix Debut Raises Questions About NASCAR Entry Process

March 11, 2025

by Suryanshu Choudhary // from www.essentiallysports.com

• KATHERINE LEGGE made history as the first woman to compete in NASCAR Cup Series since DANICA PATRICK’s 2018 retirement, but her Phoenix debut was marred by two incidents including an early spin and a collision that ended Daniel Suarez’s top-10 run. Despite her extensive racing credentials, Legge struggled with car setup issues and admitted the overnight changes made her Chevrolet “awful” to drive.
• Suarez’s pointed criticism wasn’t personal but institutional – “There’s nothing wrong with her. What is wrong is NASCAR” – as he questioned allowing drivers without Cup Series experience to compete at the highest level. His frustration centers on safety concerns after Legge’s unpredictable spin pattern differed from what experienced NASCAR drivers expect in similar situations.
• The incident highlights a stark contrast in career progression between LEGGE and PATRICK, who spent a full Xfinity Series season learning NASCAR fundamentals before her Cup debut. PATRICK’s methodical approach paid off with a sixth-place Atlanta finish in 2014, while LEGGE’s five Xfinity starts may not have provided sufficient preparation for Cup Series competition dynamics and the unique challenges of oval racing at speed.

nascar cup series, phoenix raceway, safety protocols, trackhouse racing