KATHERINE LEGGE Reveals IndyCar Only Wanted One Woman Driver in Mid-2000s

August 18, 2025

• KATHERINE LEGGE dropped a bombshell about IndyCar’s mid-2000s politics, revealing the series didn’t want two female drivers when Champ Car merged with IndyCar in 2008. While DANICA PATRICK had become the face of IndyCar, Legge was essentially pushed out, forced to race in DTM for three years until Patrick left for NASCAR in 2012. It’s a stark reminder of how the old boys’ club operated – apparently one woman was diverse enough for their comfort zone.
• Legge’s career trajectory shows what happens when talent meets artificial barriers. After solid rookie performance with PKV Racing in 2006 (four Top 10s), she struggled with Dale Coyne Racing in 2007 before the merger politics kicked her out entirely. She returned to IndyCar in 2012 but has since followed Patrick’s path to NASCAR, where she’s had to prove herself all over again despite decades of open-wheel experience.
• The British driver is making her mark in NASCAR despite early criticism and crashes. She broke through at the Grant Park 165 with a P19 finish – the first woman to score a Top 20 Cup result since Patrick in 2017. She improved that to P17 at the Brickyard 400, showing that when given proper opportunity and time to adapt, female drivers deliver. Meanwhile, Patrick has transitioned to broadcasting as an F1 and IndyCar analyst while Legge continues racing at 45.

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