In a shocking turn of events during Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity race, driver Aric Almirola was involved in a multi-car crash that eliminated him, Katherine Legge, and Jeffrey Earnhardt from contention with just 13 laps remaining. The incident stemmed from miscommunication among spotters, leading to a significant collision that disrupted what had been a competitive day on the track.
Katherine Legge was experiencing a solid race, having led her first-ever lap in NASCAR during a cycle of green-flag pit stops. As she worked her way around the 15th position, chaos erupted when Aric Almirola attempted to merge in front of her. Unfortunately, the maneuver came too late, resulting in a crash that sent Almirola’s car sliding across her path and collecting both Legge and Earnhardt in the aftermath. Brandon Jones also became embroiled in the incident, with his car narrowly avoiding a rollover as he got tangled from behind.
The tension was palpable as Almirola expressed his frustration over the radio, exclaiming, “Come on! I went exactly when you said get up!” His spotter’s response was defensive: “You were plenty clear when I first said it. I promise you.” This back-and-forth highlighted the intense pressure drivers face and the split-second decisions that can have dire consequences on the track.
For Legge, this race marked her third consecutive DNF (did not finish) in the NASCAR series this year, having faced similar fates in both the Cup race at Phoenix and last week’s Xfinity event at Rockingham, where crashes prematurely ended her efforts. She finished in 34th place on Saturday, continuing a streak of misfortune that has plagued her rookie season.
Reflecting on the incident after being released from the infield care center, Almirola acknowledged the mistake, stating, “The middle lane was just fizzling out there and I crashed myself, I guess. Yeah, (I) had a quick hole I guess, and he (the spotter) said ‘clear,’ so I moved and, I don’t know, I wasn’t clear. Obviously wasn’t clear since I crashed. Katherine (Legge) didn’t do anything wrong; she was right where she needed to be, and I turned across her nose.” He expressed regret over the impact on both his team and the fans who support them.
Legge, despite her premature exit from the race, maintained an upbeat demeanor. Addressing reporters outside the care center, she said, “Honestly, I was having so much fun and it was awesome. The car was awesome. Jordan Anderson Racing did a phenomenal job giving me a great car. And you know, I just kind of was hanging out for the first two-thirds of the race, and then we got a little bit more racy, and I could run up there pretty easy.” Her resilience showed, even in adversity, as she affirmed her gratitude for the experience, adding, “It just is what it is, I’m really grateful that I’m here. I had a blast.”
Legge’s next outing is set for May 3rd, when she will compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, hoping for a better outcome. Meanwhile, Aric Almirola’s crash during the NASCAR Xfinity race serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of motorsport and the importance of communication within teams.
