Max Papis is speaking out after a crash at Rockingham Speedway caused a stir. His comments have sparked new questions about how NASCAR helps new drivers. The race didn’t go well for Katherine Legge, but some say it wasn’t all her fault. Now, she is making big plans for 2025. While her journey has been tough, her response shows she is not giving up. Something important is happening behind the scenes in NASCAR, and not all of it is about the track.
- Max Papis defended Katherine Legge, attributing her struggles to team and NASCAR event handling issues.
- Papis suggested Legge was not at fault for the Rockingham wreck, blaming No. 18’s misjudgment instead.
- He emphasized the need for better support and mentorship for new drivers in NASCAR.
- Papis critiqued NASCAR’s handling of new drivers, comparing it to unprepared employees in challenging roles.
- Legge faced difficulties due to limited oval racing experience, which Papis acknowledged as part of the learning curve.
Kevin Harvick’s Reaction and Phoenix Debut
Although Katherine Legge’s debut in the NASCAR Cup Series was highly anticipated, it turned out to be a challenging experience. At Phoenix Raceway in March, she faced notable hurdles as the primary woman since Danica Patrick in 2018 to compete in a Cup race.
Her performance was blemished by multiple spin-outs during the Shriners Children’s 500, which emphasized the difficulties she encountered. A vital incident occurred when she inadvertently collided with Daniel Suarez, disrupting his race and highlighting the unforgiving nature of the competition.
Kevin Harvick, a seasoned NASCAR driver, offered a frank assessment of Legge’s situation, stating that she was “thrown to the wolves.” This metaphor suggests that Legge was placed in a demanding environment without sufficient preparation or support.
Rockingham Return and Max Papis Weighs In
The atmosphere was charged with a mix of nostalgia and high expectations as the NASCAR Xfinity Series made its long-awaited return to Rockingham Speedway after two decades. Fans enthusiastically gathered to witness the race on the storied track, where past legends have left their mark.
However, Katherine Legge’s experience was far from ideal. Her struggles began with a poor qualifying session, and the race concluded unfavorably for her, sparking concern among fans and experts similarly.
Max Papis, a revered figure in motorsport, weighed in on the situation. With his vast experience, including wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona and mentoring NASCAR champions like Joey Logano, Papis has a seasoned perspective.
He attributed Legge’s challenges not only to her team, Joe Gibbs Racing, but also to NASCAR’s handling of the event. Papis’s insights highlighted the complexities faced by drivers returning to such historic tracks, emphasizing the need for thorough support.
The Incident and Max Papis’s Breakdown
Tension unfolded on the track, casting a shadow over Katherine Legge’s performance at Rockingham Speedway. The dramatic incident began when William Sawalich, piloting Joe Gibbs’s No. 18 Toyota, collided with Legge’s car, leading to further contact with Kasey Kahne’s vehicle.
Legge, driving for Joey Gase Motorsports, was already struggling, finding herself a lap down and one of the slower cars.
Max Papis criticized NASCAR after Katherine Legge was wrecked, blaming poor officiating over her lack of experience. He argued NASCAR needs stricter standards and better mentoring for drivers stepping into tough oval races.
“First of all, she got wrecked. It is undoubted that the 18 misjudged the corner entry. She cannot disappear… drove into the quarter-panel, boom, into the wall.”
“Was she at the wrong spot at the wrong time? Yes.” – Max Papis
Despite acknowledging Legge’s risky positioning and inexperience, Papis defended her, saying the real issue lies with NASCAR’s system—not the driver. He believes the sport should better prepare newcomers before putting them in elite competition.
“Think about it, if you’re in the office. They offer you a position where you might not be absolutely prepared for it… Will you turn it down? I mean, that’s how she makes her living. It’s more NASCAR, the sanctioning body – they should have a more clear regulation on what do you need to be part of the sport… It’s tough, I don’t think you guys understand how tough it is.” – Max Papis
Katherine Legge’s Experience and Max Papis’s Critique of NASCAR
Katherine Legge’s expedition in the NASCAR Xfinity Series highlights the challenges faced by drivers new to oval racing, especially when shifting from a road course background. Her limited experience—only five Xfinity races before 2025—illustrates the steep learning curve. Legge’s best finish, a 14th-place at Road America in 2018, emphasizes her road course skill but also her struggle with NASCAR’s demanding ovals.
“It’s almost impossible for people on the outside to understand how foreign it feels to be sitting in a heavy car on a high banking with the car moving around all the time, and getting swarmed and surrounded by people on attack.” – Max Papis
Max Papis, defending Legge, critiqued NASCAR’s mentorship for new drivers. He stressed the necessity for clearer regulations, comparing the situation to an unprepared employee accepting a challenging job. Papis emphasized the difficulty of adapting to NASCAR’s high-banked tracks, a sentiment shared by Shane van Gisbergen, who also struggles with ovals.
Espresso with Max :
Rockingham and @katherinelegge in the Jam one more time pic.twitter.com/YVWPjns24i— Max Papis (@maxpapis) April 21, 2025
Katherine Legge’s Response and 2025 Goals
Following Max Papis’s defense and critique, attention turns to how Katherine Legge plans to respond to her challenges and improve in 2025.
Resolute to overcome past setbacks, Legge has outlined a robust racing schedule for the upcoming year, signaling her commitment to refining her skills and proving her capabilities. Her path in NASCAR has been marked by difficulties, but she remains steadfast, ready to tackle the upcoming season with renewed vigor.
“I licked my wounds for sure. But I haven’t been around in motorsports for 20 years professionally by giving up on anything. I know (Phoenix) wasn’t my best work…made a lot of mistakes during the race, tried to minimize them. You see these guys making mistakes even when they’ve been doing it for decades. So to be vilified on one mistake, I feel like, was really unfair. I am a damn good race car driver, and I will come back and prove that was just a blip on the radar.” – Katherine Legge
Her 2025 roadmap includes:
- Five Cup Series races with Live Fast Motorsports, offering her a platform to demonstrate her resilience.
- Seven Xfinity races with Jordan Anderson Racing, providing ample opportunities for growth.
- Aiming to overturn her Phoenix mishap, where early crashes blemished her debut.
- Focused on learning from past mistakes, using each race as a learning experience.
- A strong belief in her abilities, motivated to demonstrate that previous errors were mere anomalies.
News in Brief: Katherine Legge NASCAR Challenges
Max Papis’s defense of Katherine Legge highlights the complexities of racing incidents and the varying perspectives within the NASCAR community. While some fans reacted strongly to the Rockingham wreck, Papis emphasized the importance of understanding the situation fully before making judgments.
Katherine Legge, with her extensive experience, remains focused on her future goals, including her aspirations for 2025. The incident not only sparked discussions about driver safety and accountability but also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by drivers in high-pressure environments.
ALSO READ: Katherine Legge’s Crash Sparks Debate: Is NASCAR’s Pay Driver Culture Ruining the Sport?
