After Danica Patrick’s exit from the NASCAR Cup series, stock car racing has been an all-men show. However, drivers like Hailie Deegan once carried high hopes in NASCAR. She had the backing of a major manufacturer, a massive social media following, and a strong off-road racing background. Many believed she was the next big thing for female drivers in the sport. But reality hit hard.

Her time in NASCAR’s Truck and Xfinity Series never lived up to expectations. By the summer of 2024, she had enough. “Unfortunately, it has not turned out the way that I expected,” Deegan admitted after an underwhelming rookie Xfinity season. She failed to crack the top 10 in 17 races and parted ways with AM Racing before the season even ended. It was a stunning decision, but it also underscored a harsh truth. NASCAR has not been kind to female drivers.

But just as one chapter closed, another opened. While Deegan walked away, another veteran racer stepped in to make history. Katherine Legge, a 44-year-old racing veteran, is set to break a six-year drought for women in NASCAR’s top series. The veteran race car driver is set to make her cup series debut in the upcoming race at Phoenix Raceway.

Katherine Legge brings back NASCAR’s forgotten legacy!

For years, Danica Patrick was the face of women in NASCAR. She broke barriers, became the first woman to win a pole in the Cup Series, and competed at the highest level for nearly a decade. Now, Katherine Legge is stepping into the Cup Series, continuing the fight for female representation in stock car racing. Live Fast Motorsports recently announced that a 44-year-old veteran will race in the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 9.

She will drive the No. 78 Droplight Chevrolet Camaro, marking her debut in the NASCAR Cup Series. This is a landmark moment. No woman has raced in a Cup Series event since Danica Patrick’s final start at the 2018 Daytona 500. For Legge, this moment is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. “Entering the NASCAR Cup Series is a dream come true. I’m excited to team up with Live Fast Motorsports for Phoenix and to represent our sponsors, Droplight and Sherfick Companies,” Legge said in a statement.

Notably, Legge is no stranger to racing. She has competed in the ARCA Series, made five Xfinity Series starts, and has an extensive open-wheel background. She has also raced in four Indianapolis 500 events, setting a record for the fastest qualifying time by a woman in 2023. Well, she did feature at the Chili Bowl Nationals where the likes of Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch and Christopher Bell also competed. But unfortunately, Legge couldn’t make it past C-Main.

Notably, after the event, Legge praised Larson and expressed her desire to compete against him. “I’m non-discriminatory. I think it would be very cool. I’m no Kyle Larson; I wish I was. I watched him at the Chili Bowl, and at that moment, I felt very insignificant and just in awe of the amount of talent that he has. But, you know, wouldn’t that be cool? I think that would be cool. So, never say never. Let’s put it like that,” she had said.

Interestingly, this historic event comes at the perfect time—just one day after International Women’s Day. It is a fitting reminder of the progress women continue to make in motorsports, even in a sport as male-dominated as NASCAR. Notably, before Katherine Legge, there was Danica Patrick. Patrick made history in 2013 when she won the pole for the Daytona 500, becoming the first woman to achieve the feat. She competed in 191 Cup Series races and finished inside the top 10 seven times. Her best finish was sixth at Atlanta in 2014.

While her NASCAR career never resulted in a win, Patrick’s impact was undeniable. She became a fan favorite and inspired many young girls to chase their racing dreams. Many believed that her efforts would bridge the gap between NASCAR and female drivers. However, things didn’t go well, and she had to exit on a very tough note. She had to retire after she failed to get the desired sponsorship backing.

Trending

1

Three Years After NASCAR Exit, Kurt Busch Announces 7-Word Devastation as He Eyes Cup Series Return

2

Joey Logano Lets Out Major Inferiority to Kyle Larson, Blames NASCAR’s Controversial Brainchild for It

3

Stars Finally Align for Richard Petty’s Iconic $14.1 Billion Manufacturer to Make Their Return to NASCAR

4

“Fake News Network”: Tony Stewart’s Rival Hammers FOX on Air for Offending NHRA Community With False Claims

5

Calls Mount Against Joe Gibbs’ “Generational Bust” as Fans Point Fingers at True Phoenix Culprit

Why do female drivers struggle to succeed in NASCAR?

Despite several female drivers making their way into NASCAR, success remains elusive. Since 1949, no woman has won a Cup Series race. Only one has ever recorded a top-five finish that, too, was Sara Christian in 1949. Even Danica Patrick, with top-tier equipment, never truly contended for wins. So, why is it so difficult for female drivers to succeed? The answer lies in both financial and performance struggles.

In NASCAR, money determines success. The top teams spend millions on research, development, and engineering. Without funding, even the most talented drivers cannot compete. Many female drivers struggle to secure long-term financial backing. Danica Patrick was fortunate to have strong sponsors like GoDaddy, but most female drivers don’t receive the same level of support. Hailie Deegan, who once considered the future of women in NASCAR, lost key sponsors and had to leave the sport.

Even when women make it to NASCAR, they often don’t get top-tier rides. Danica Patrick drove for Stewart-Haas Racing, but her No. 10 car was rarely as competitive as her teammates’ cars. Katherine Legge will be driving for Live Fast Motorsports, a small team with limited resources. Success in NASCAR requires not only talent but also strong equipment. Women have rarely been allowed to race for powerhouse teams like Hendrick Motorsports or Joe Gibbs Racing.

Additionally, the NASCAR ladder system is tough. Young drivers must climb through ARCA, Trucks, and Xfinity before reaching the Cup Series. While male drivers often get multiple seasons to develop, female drivers are often judged more harshly. Deegan’s struggles in the Xfinity Series led to her losing opportunities. Meanwhile, male drivers with similar stats were given more time to improve. Until teams invest in long-term development for female drivers, their path to success will remain difficult.