Despite having to retire from the greatest spectacle in racing, the Indianapolis 500, Katherine Legge’s impact on women in motorsport is immeasurable.
Hitting the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) for the fourth time in her career, Legge was looking for redemption after being the first car to retire in last year's 500. Yet, despite retiring early in 2023, she had much to be proud of, especially during qualifying. Legge holds the record for the fastest single qualification lap at the IMS at 231.627 mph, and the fastest four lap qualification speed of any women in the history of the Indy 500, at 231.070 mph.
During this year's Indy 500 qualifying, Legge showed no fear as she briefly hit the wall into turn four but kept control of the car and her foot on the throttle as she finished her lap with average speed of 230.244 mph.
From Karting to NASCAR
Outside of IndyCar, Legge has had a very extensive and impressive career. From NASCAR to Formula One testing, Katherine Legge has done it all.
Beginning her racing career in go-karts in her hometown of Guilford, England, Katherine won her first race at nine years old. After almost a decade of karting, Legge advanced into open-wheel racing, competing in championships like British Formula 3, Formula Renault and Formula Ford. In 2000, she became the first woman to gain pole position in the British Formula Ford Zetec series, and a year later won the British Racing Drivers Club “Rising Star” award. Legge’s first full-time drive came in the form of the 2005 Toyota Atlantic Championship with Polestar Motor Racing, where she won the season opener at Long Beach, California.
In 2005, Katherine Legge became the first woman to test a Formula One car since Sarah Fisher in 2002. She tested with the Minardi team at Vallelunga in Italy on the 22nd and 23rd of November. After crashing on her first run, the test was postponed, and she completed 27 laps the next day with a best lap time of 1:21.176.
Between 2005 and 2016, Legge competed in various racing series such as Champ Car, DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters series), IndyCar, and Formula E.
In 2018, Katherine Legge joined JD Motorsports for her NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, driving the No. 15 Chevrolet Camaro. She also competed at Road America as part of a two-race schedule and later made her oval debut at Richmond Raceway. In 2023, Legge returned to the Xfinity Series, driving the No. 07 car for SS-Green Light Racing in road course races at Road America, the Indianapolis road course, Watkins Glen, and the Charlotte Roval.
Beyond the Finish Line
In 2023, Katherine told Motorsport.com that “my interest and passion is to continue to break new ground in motorsports,” and she has done exactly that. Katherine Legge's dedication to pushing the boundaries in motorsports has been evident throughout her career. With a relentless drive to innovate and excel, she has consistently sought out new challenges and opportunities to make her mark in the industry. From her impressive performances on the track to her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in racing, Katherine Legge continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations of drivers.
Despite the setbacks at the Indianapolis 500, Katherine Legge’s remarkable achievements in qualifying and her extensive career across various racing series showcase her unwavering determination and talent. From her early days in go-karts to breaking records and barriers in Formula One, NASCAR, and beyond, Legge has consistently proved her bravery on the track.
As she continues to compete and inspire, Legge remains a pioneering figure for women in motorsport, demonstrating that with passion and perseverance, any challenge can be met head-on. Her legacy is not just in her impressive statistics but in the path she has paved for future generations of female racers. Katherine Legge’s story is far from over, and the racing world eagerly awaits her next chapter.
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