I have a mission to create in NASCAR,” says Katherine Legge, as though she might be an accidental role model. She has found that once again she is one of just a small handful of female drivers racing competitively in the male-dominated sport, and the scrutiny has not only been for her prowess behind the wheel but also her tenacity in a business that harbors even less women than motorsport in general.
Legge, who raced for years across the ranks of IndyCar and Formula E and sportscar racing, has also taken on the best of the best that NASCAR has to offer. Legge has less aspired to be a trendsetter than to realize the way her presence changes the future for women racers who look up to her or the younger female fans who see that competition is possible. “I just want to be seen as a great driver,” Legge said. “But if I can inspire others with my journey, that’s a bonus.”
Her career in NASCAR has been an uphill battle of sorts to find her footing in a completely different world of racing. The open-wheel cars she is used to are one thing, but stock cars are an entirely different animal that begs for a different technique – a technique that needs patience and finesse combined with aggressive, but calculated maneuvering. Legge has put countless hours into honing her abilities that have proven she belongs on the track with the best of the best.
Through all the struggles, she keeps moving forward to improve and overcome barriers. She sees each race as an opportunity to silence the doubters and prove that it is hard work, skill, and determination that defines an athlete, not gender.
With every lap that Legge puts in, she continues to charge ahead, not only for herself but for the ladies of motorsports in general. Whether she wins races or not, she is confident that being in NASCAR is already making a statement.
