NASCAR driver Katherine Legge has revealed she has been receiving “hate mail” and “death threats” from fans following her involvement in a crash that took out veteran driver Kasey Kahne during the Xfinity Series race at Rockingham last weekend.
Legge, who has competed in four Indy 500 races but is relatively new to stock car racing, shared on Tuesday’s episode of her podcast “Throttle Therapy” that the inappropriate comments she’s been receiving on social media are “disturbing” and “unacceptable.”
“Let me be very clear,” Legge said. “I’m here to race and compete, and I won’t tolerate any threats to my safety or dignity, whether on or off the track.”
Earlier this year, Legge became the first woman in seven years to compete in a Cup Series race, making her debut in Phoenix. However, her race ended early after she was involved in a second spin and collected Daniel Suarez. She then moved on to the Xfinity race in Rockingham, North Carolina, where she was bumped off the starting grid but ultimately got a chance to race in the No. 53 car for Joey Gase Motorsports after the team scrambled to prepare it for her.
During the race, Legge was running far behind the leaders when William Sawalich made contact with her car in Turn 1, causing Legge to spin. Kahne, who was following behind, collided with Legge’s car as there was no space for him to avoid her.
Legge explained, “I gave him a lane, and the reason the closing pace looked so high wasn’t because I braked mid-corner. I didn’t. I stayed on my line and at my speed, which obviously isn’t the speed of the leaders. He charged in a bit too hard, understeered, and got into me.”
At 44 years old, Legge has had a diverse racing career, having competed in various series including IndyCar and IMSA SportsCar. She also raced in several Xfinity events in the past.
Legge was firm in defending her position on the track, saying, “I’ve earned my seat on that race track. I’ve worked just as hard as any other driver, and I’ve been racing professionally for over 20 years.”
She believes that the backlash she has received is reflective of a broader issue with how women are treated in motorsports. “Luckily, I’ve fought tougher battles than those in the comment sections,” she said.
Legge has received support from many in the racing world, including IndyCar driver Marco Andretti, who criticized one social media user who called Legge “unproven.” Andretti responded, “It’s wild to me how many grown men talk badly about badass girls like this. Does it make them feel more manly from the couch or something?”
