Katherine Legge’s NASCAR Cup Series outing at Phoenix earlier this season drew heavy fire after the incident that saw her collect several front-runners in a wreck. Critics had fired at her, highlighting her limited stock car experience. But in her recent outings on the Chicago Street Course and at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, the veteran open-wheel racer has turned heads, including that of NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin.
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Legge finished P19 in the Chicago race in July, and lawed her way from 38th and second-to-last on the grid to P17 in the Brickyard 400. Her steady climb didn’t go unnoticed.
Her run was all the more special considering she ran with a developmental pit crew who were clocking an average of 16-second four-tire stops. That’s way off the front-running crews in terms of efficiency.
Racing reviewer Bozi Tatarevic shared radio chatter from the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports team on X, discussing Legge’s strong drive, with one of them suggesting, “I’m telling you if we could go test with this woman, she’d be badass right off the trailer.” And Martin didn’t hold back on the plaudits.
He reshared the post with a stamp of approval: “Very impressive @bjmcleod78 @katherinelegge @BoziTatarevic.”
Very impressive @bjmcleod78 @katherinelegge @BoziTatarevic https://t.co/3umAHbHxjs
— Mark Martin (@markmartin) July 27, 2025
Fans, too, were quick to change their tune. “Really is. I don’t realize she was on the lead lap. I started to talk shit, then realized, ‘Oh hell, she’s actually doing phenomenal,’” wrote one in a comment.
Another added, “And I think that, no offense to the 78 group, but that is back marker equipment. Anyone that is expecting her to run top 20 even is just unrealistic. But she definitely would benefit from testing. I wish we had a rookie testing program.”
One fan chimed in by praising her recent form: “She took a lot of crap at the beginning of the year, but has really proved herself the last few starts. Great run today in the 78.”
With a wealth of IndyCar experience at Indianapolis under her belt, Legge rolled up her sleeves and took on both the Xfinity and Cup Series events over the weekend. While her Xfinity stint ended in a P37 finish, she made a compelling case that she belongs in the Next Gen field in the Cup race.
