Katherine Legge had high hopes of making her NASCAR Cup Series debut at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), a track that fits her road-racing background. However, those dreams were crushed when her team, Live Motorsports, couldn’t get the car ready in time, forcing Legge to race at Phoenix instead.
For Legge, it was an unfortunate turn of events since her debut was supposed to be at a track where she felt comfortable.
Katherine Legge’s Tough Break
Legge isn’t new to the world of motorsports. The British driver has raced in IndyCar, IMSA SportsCar Championship, and even the ARCA Menards Series.
This year, she is set to make history as the first woman to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series since Danica Patrick’s retirement in 2018. Given her extensive road course experience, COTA seemed like the obvious choice when NASCAR offered her the option to race there or at Phoenix.
But things didn’t go as planned. Despite her desire to compete at COTA, Legge’s team struggled to prepare in time for the event. As a result, she had no choice but to shift her focus to Phoenix, a track that presents a completely different challenge.
“It was just really tough to get it done in the timeframe. There was just no way to get everything done and get the car ready for COTA,” Legge admitted in a press conference, expressing her disappointment.
Says @katherinelegge, who will become the first woman to race in the Cup Series since Danica Patrick: “I’ve literally known about doing this race for about 10 days.” She got Chevy sim time this week and got to drive pit practice at Hendrick. pic.twitter.com/VVztY4pjFM
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) March 7, 2025
Road courses have always been Legge’s strength, and missing out on the opportunity to race at one of NASCAR’s most technical tracks was frustrating. However, she remained professional and determined to make the best of the situation.
A Different Challenge at Phoenix
Unlike the fast corners and elevation changes of COTA, Phoenix Raceway is a one-mile oval known for its tight racing and short-track aggression. It’s not a track where road course specialists usually shine, making Legge’s task even harder.
Despite the setback, Legge remains optimistic. Adapting to new challenges has been a constant in her career, and she’s ready to take on Phoenix. While it wasn’t the debut she had expected, Legge is determined to prove she can compete with the best in NASCAR and make the most of her opportunity.
Though missing COTA was disappointing, Legge’s resilience is what makes her a true racer. She isn’t backing down, and if history is any indication, she will come back stronger, ready to leave her mark in the Cup Series.
