History was made once again in the fast-paced world of NASCAR this weekend. British racing stalwart Katherine Legge has become the fourth woman ever to lead a lap in an Xfinity Series race, joining the elite club of female NASCAR leaders that includes Natalie Decker, Danica Patrick, and Patty Moise. This remarkable milestone was achieved during the Saturday’s race at the iconic Talladega Superspeedway.
Legge, who made her debut in the NASCAR Cup Series earlier this year at Phoenix Raceway, has broadened her horizons to compete in a series of races. She has entered a total of 12 races across both the Cup and the Xfinity Series for the 2025 season. At the Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega, she secured a place for Jordan Anderson Racing, qualifying her No. 32 Chevrolet at P27.
The race was not without its trials and tribulations. Legge’s day ended prematurely on lap 100 due to a multi-car crash initiated by Aric Almirola‘s move to the outside. Despite this setback, she shone brightly when she led the pack during the green-flag pit cycle that began on lap 70, leading the eventful 75th lap before being moved back into the mid-pack.
The significance of Legge’s achievement was captured by motorsport journalist Joseph Srigley. However, her journey in the 2025 season has been punctuated by difficulties, as she has yet to see the chequered flag in any of the three races she has entered so far. A severe crash with just 13 laps to go in the NXS race at Talladega resulted in early completion for several drivers, including Katherine Legge, Aric Almirola, and Jeffrey Earnhardt.
An unfortunate miscommunication between Almirola and his spotter resulted in a collision with Legge’s No. 32 Chevy, causing a chain reaction and ultimately, a multi-car wreck. Almirola admitted to his spotter the mishap in timing, which heavily disrupted the race and led to her third straight DNF in 2025.
Yet, Legge’s optimism remains unabated. Known for her tenacity, she shared with reporters her enjoyment of the race and her anticipation for the upcoming event at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 3rd. Despite the adversities, she navigates through the world of NASCAR with a clear focus on her quest for victory.
This momentous event elevates Katherine Legge, along with NASCAR luminary Natalie Decker, to a prominent group of strong and talented female drivers in this intense sport. With the NASCAR All-Star race around the corner, we can expect the spotlight on these trailblazing women to brighten even more in the coming future.
