A historic moment in motorsport turned sour last week as Katherine Legge made her debut in NASCAR’s Cup Series. The veteran IndyCar and IMSA racer’s foray into stock car racing resulted in a disappointing performance. Her struggle to adapt to the Cup Series car sparked serious debate about NASCAR’s approval process for drivers transitioning from other racing disciplines.
Legge’s debut at Phoenix ended in a disastrous spin-out on the fourth lap, followed by a collision that prematurely ended both her race and Daniel Suarez’s. For many, this highlighted the potential pitfalls of allowing drivers with limited stock car experience to compete in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Among those voicing concerns were three-time Cup Series Champion Joey Logano and his long-standing rivals Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin.
Logano, in an interview with FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, stressed the difficulty of switching from IndyCar to a Cup car, especially on a road course. He contrasted this with the smoother transition of Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion who won his debut Cup Series race at the Chicago Street Course in 2023. Logano pointed out that supercars and Cup cars share more similarities on road courses than do IndyCars and Cup cars.
He also emphasized the importance of adequate practice, using Kyle Larson’s preparation for the Indy 500 as an example. Larson, the 2021 Cup Series Champion, spent an entire month in Indianapolis to gain approval and familiarize himself with the race car. On the other hand, Legge was informed about her Phoenix race only ten days prior and managed just 45 test laps.
The aftermath of the race brought sympathy for Legge from fellow drivers, including Daniel Suarez, who blamed NASCAR rather than the English driver for the mishap. Logano echoed Suarez’s sentiments, as did Kyle Busch, who voiced concerns about NASCAR’s authority over driver approvals.
Busch argued that NASCAR’s decision-makers often lack the relevant racing experience to make informed judgments. He recalled instances when NASCAR unfairly rejected his drivers from participating in races during his time as a Truck Series owner with Kyle Busch Motorsports.
Likewise, Denny Hamlin called for a stricter approval process, arguing that NASCAR should be reserved for the best of the best. He suggested that its prestige as the world’s top stock car racing series should not be compromised by allowing unqualified drivers to participate.
Despite the controversy surrounding her Cup Series debut, Legge remains undeterred. The IndyCar icon, who holds the record for the fastest qualifying by a woman at the Indy500, is determined to prove her worth in NASCAR. She communicated with Suarez and other affected drivers, expressing her resolve to learn from the experience and improve.
Logano, Busch, and Hamlin’s critique of NASCAR’s approval process underscores the need for better regulation. A more stringent system could enhance competition and reduce safety risks. Furthermore, it would compel drivers like Legge to work harder for approval, thereby ensuring that they are better prepared when they hit the track.
Logano suggested that NASCAR could require drivers to compete in certain races before gaining Cup Series approval. He argued that this would provide a clearer path for drivers transitioning from other racing disciplines.
As the debate rages on, motorsport fans are left wondering about the future of NASCAR’s approval process. Will Legge’s determination to make amends prompt NASCAR to refine their policies? Only time will tell.
