Katherine Legge didn’t accomplish her goal of finishing the NASCAR Cup Series Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway, but she still made history as the first woman to pilot NASCAR’s Next Gen car introduced in 2022.

Katherine Legge spent 25 years working her way through professional motorsports before getting her shot at driving a NASCAR Cup Series car.

Katherine Legge’s highly anticipated NASCAR Cup Series debut at Phoenix Raceway was anything but easy. The British driver, known for her success in open-wheel and other racing formats, stepped into the world of stock cars hoping to make an impact.

Daniel Suárez isn’t happy with NASCAR for allowing Katherine Legge to race at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday. Legge made her Cup Series debut in the Shriners Children’s 300 and outside of an early spin, stayed out of trouble — until Lap 215.

Katherine Legge discusses her first NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway in March 2025. Legge became the first woman driver in Cup since 2018.

Katherine Legge isn’t here for tokenism. As the first woman to race NASCAR’s Next Gen car in Sunday’s Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway, the British driver didn’t hold back when addressing the sport’s gender gap.

Katherine Legge was the first woman to race in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2018 and her time in Phoenix unfortunately ended early. Legge had ups and downs this weekend but was able to learn quickly prior to her spin and wreck in the last stage.

Multiple NASCAR teams have helped Katherine Legge prepare for her first Cup start this weekend at Phoenix Raceway. “Everybody has given me the best opportunity to go out there and do a good job,” Legge said Friday.

Daniel Suarez blasts NASCAR for its outdated system and lack of support for drivers, while clarifying that he holds no grudges against Katherine Legge. Suarez’s outspoken criticism highlights the need for change in the sport,