The NASCAR Cup Series is heading to Phoenix Raceway, and this race promises to be intriguing for multiple reasons. Christopher Bell, fresh off back-to-back victories, is aiming for a third consecutive win, having also claimed victory in the spring race last year. However, some fans might be tuning in for a different reason—Katherine Legge’s Cup Series debut. While Legge is undoubtedly talented, her first Cup race on a high-speed, one-mile oval raises some concerns. Given her background, a road course might have been a safer option.
Legge is no stranger to racing, competing regularly in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar GTD Championship, where the average speed is around 118 MPH. In contrast, speeds at Phoenix reached 132.144 MPH last year—a noticeable difference. However, she has significant experience in various disciplines, including CART and IndyCar, making her adaptable. Interestingly, Legge revealed in a press conference that Phoenix wasn’t her first choice for her Cup debut.
She initially hoped to race at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), a road course that better suited her skill set. However, logistical challenges made that impossible, and NASCAR gave her the option of either COTA or Phoenix. Since preparing a car in time for COTA wasn’t feasible, she landed at Phoenix. NASCAR approved her for this race due to her Indy 500 experience and a recent 45-minute practice session at Daytona.
Phoenix, however, is known for its unpredictability. Last November, Ty Gibbs had a terrifying crash, narrowly avoiding serious injury. Even the pace car lost control and hit pit road sand barrels. Despite the risks, NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass supported the decision, citing Legge’s experience on high-speed ovals and the extended practice session as key factors in her approval.
Though she’ll be racing for backmarker team Live Fast Motorsports, Legge’s adaptability could work in her favor. She has competed in stock cars, open-wheel racing, sports cars, and even Formula E. Her approach is reminiscent of Tony Stewart’s versatility—put her in any car, and she’ll race it.
Legge has long dreamed of competing in the Cup Series, calling it the one racing discipline that had eluded her. Determined to perform well, she has been preparing rigorously—training in simulators at Richard Childress Racing and Chevrolet, and even practicing pit stops with Hendrick Motorsports. Aware of the challenges ahead, Legge remains optimistic, acknowledging that she’ll either “sink or swim.” With this being the first Cup race featuring a female driver since Danica Patrick’s final start in 2018, all eyes will be on her.
