Katherine Legge will make her NASCAR Cup Series debut this weekend at Phoenix Raceway, becoming the first woman to compete in a Cup Series race since Danica Patrick at the 2018 Daytona 500.
The 44-year-old Legge, a native of England, will drive the No. 78 Chevrolet in Sunday’s Shriners Children’s 500, Live Fast Motorsports announced Monday.
Legge has five career starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, most recently at Road America in 2023.
“Entering the NASCAR Cup Series is a dream come true,” Legge said. “Racing stock cars has been an incredibly fun and new challenge that’s given me a renewed sense of vigor for this sport. As always, I’m grateful for the opportunity to do what I love and am inspired by all of the effort, preparation and behind the scenes work it takes to get here.”
Legge has raced in multiple series over the years, including seven IndyCar Series starts last season. She has four career starts in the Indianapolis 500 and in 2023 set a record for fastest qualifying time by a woman.
Legge finished 39th in the ARCA Ride the ‘Dente race at Daytona International Speedway last month after being involved in an early accident.
She will be sponsored at Phoenix by venture studio DROPLight and Sherfick Companies, a real estate and construction development business.
Legge is one of nine women to have raced in the Indy 500. She has four career victories in sports car racing and has participated in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Legge has also competed in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Field Level Media and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
