I have a lot of respect for Katherine Legge. I’ve followed her career closely here in Daytona for many years. She’s a genuinely nice person with a great accent. However, this situation isn’t really about her.
The focus is on NASCAR allowing her to participate in a Cup race just two weeks ago in Phoenix, despite her lack of experience. Unfortunately, she crashed twice and ended up taking out another driver, Daniel Suarez. Since then, she has faced a lot of criticism from frustrated fans.
Angry NASCAR fans? Really? That’s not surprising at all.
In my opinion, their frustration is misdirected. They should be directing their anger at NASCAR for letting her race without proper practice. But Legge is handling the situation as best as she can. It is what it is.
Recently, the 44-year-old British driver spoke with CNN about her hectic few weeks, but her comments didn’t exactly help her case.
Honestly, it was a bit strange. She expressed her desire to try NASCAR again, which is understandable. Of course she would say that. But then she went on an odd tangent about not wanting to be a role model for young girls and mentioned that she never asked to be in the spotlight.
It was just … unusual:
Katherine Legge seems confused.
She seems to be all over the place. First of all, she’s talking to CNN, which is Strike 1. Maybe that’s a good thing for her, though, because I’m sure most NASCAR fans in America didn’t catch that interview.
In fact, I’d bet they wouldn’t even know how to find CNN on their TV.
Everything about the end of that interview felt strange to me. It’s not every day you see a sports figure go on TV and openly say they don’t want to be a role model or represent their sport. What did Katherine think would happen in Phoenix two weeks ago?
She was the first female driver to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series race since Danica Patrick.
Danica Patrick!
Regardless of your opinion on Danica as a driver, those are big shoes to fill, and Katherine didn’t do well at all. She had a spin here and a wreck there. Everyone else in the race was upset. It didn’t reflect well on NASCAR.
Daniel Suarez wasn’t happy, and I can understand why.
Yes, I know. That interview was strange. But it seems like Daniel has been working out, which is great for him!
Anyway, Katherine Legge is a skilled racer. She has experience in IMSA, Indy, Formula E, and the NASCAR Xfinity and ARCA Series.
That’s all fine.
But she didn’t belong in the Cup Series two weeks ago. If she doesn’t want to be a role model for younger fans, I’m not sure there’s any reason to invite her back.
