Katherine Legge has message for critics after | Sports News

Katherine Legge insisted she is “thick skinned” regardless of receiving death threats amid a wave of criticism for her performances in NASCAR.

Legge is a constant Xfinity Series racer, and has additionally appeared in quite a few high-profile occasions such because the Indianapolis 500 over her profession. She usually will get the call-up to the Cup Series however has struggled of late and been the goal of followers online.

Back in March, Legge’s NASCAR debut was a horror show. On Lap 4 of the Shriners Children’s 500, Legge – who’s set to seem a few more occasions throughout the 2025 season – self-spun off Turn 2 whereas racing by herself within the back of the pack earlier than pitting in opposition to her staff’s advice, because the pits have been closed. She was promptly issued a penalty. 

Then, in Stage 3, Legge – the seventeenth lady to drive in a NASCAR Cup Series race and the primary since 2018 – spun out again and took out Daniel Suarez within the course of. She was unable to complete.

Legge has loved a storied two-decade profession, establishing herself in a male-dominated area. While she didn’t get a seat for the 2025 Indy 500, Legge stays assured regardless of receiving criticism — and even death threats — for her NASCAR performances not too long ago. 

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“It doesn’t bother me because I’m thick skinned,” she informed the Daily Mail. “I’ve been the only girl in racing for two decades. 

“I know that people like Bubba [Wallace], and Denny [Hamlin], and Joey [Logano], and all those guys get the same thing. I think the difference is just with some of the ones that I got, they were very directed at my appearance on my body or my sexuality… It was amazing to me what makes people think these things up.”

Legge usually speaks out in opposition to the tsunami of criticism she has since obtained. Speaking on her podcast, Throttle Therapy, Legge not too long ago outlined how NASCAR racing is a great source of delight but in addition options immense “scrutiny and harassment.”

“However, I will say that the hate mail, death threats, and the inappropriate sexual comments I’ve received aren’t just disturbing, they are unacceptable,” Legge declared. “Let me very clear, I’m here to race and I’m here to compete and I won’t tolerate any of these threats to my safety or to my dignity. Whether that’s on track or off of it.”

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Legge usually finds herself a sufferer of gender-based criticism. She acknowledged she is open to constructive criticism and hopes to be taught and improve – however believes it spills over into offense.

She continued: “The level of hate that myself and my team are experiencing at the moment is part of a broader issue that I believe women specifically face in male-dominated spaces … We can’t normalize this issue. There’s nothing normal about it. It’s totally unacceptable.

“I have earned my seat on that race track. I’ve worked just as hard as any of the other drivers out there, and I’ve been racing professionally for the last 20 years. I’m 100% sure that the OEMs and the teams that employed me – without me bringing any sponsorship money for the majority of those 20 years – did not do so as a DEI hire, or a gimmick, or anything else. It’s because I can drive a race car.”

Legge is set to race for Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport within the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 24.