After a rocky start to her NASCAR Cup Series career, Katherine Legge is set to return to oval racing—this time at one of the sport’s most iconic venues. But with the Brickyard 400 looming, many fans and insiders are once again questioning how NASCAR determines who gets the green light to compete at the sport’s highest level.
Key Highlights
Katherine Legge is set to compete in the 2025 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis for Live Fast Motorsports.
Her only prior Cup oval race was at Phoenix, which ended in multiple incidents.
Legge has extensive IndyCar experience at IMS, but none in Cup cars on ovals since Phoenix.
NASCAR’s driver approval inconsistencies have come under fresh scrutiny following her return.
A Controversial Start
Katherine Legge’s Cup Series debut earlier this year at Phoenix Raceway ended in disaster. In just her first oval start, the open-wheel veteran triggered two cautions and wrecked Daniel Suárez, prompting widespread backlash. The criticism intensified when it came to light that Mike Wallace—attempting a return with Garage 66—had been denied entry into the Daytona 500, while Legge, with no prior Cup oval experience, had been cleared.
That inconsistency fueled fresh concerns about NASCAR’s approval process for part-time drivers, especially as other names like Tommy Joe Martins reportedly weren’t approved either.
Mixed Results Since Phoenix
Katherine Legge has stayed out of trouble in her last three Cup starts, all on road or street courses. Driving for Live Fast Motorsports, she’s posted finishes of 32nd, 19th, and 31st—modest, but incident-free. Meanwhile, her 2025 season across lower-tier series hasn’t been promising: five DNFs, two DNQs, and just one finish inside the top 35.
Despite those numbers, NASCAR has signed off on her return to an oval—this time at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Is Indy Too Big a Step?
Though not a pack-racing superspeedway like Daytona or Talladega, Indianapolis still ranks among NASCAR’s most technical and demanding ovals. While Legge has four Indy 500 starts to her name (2012, 2013, 2023, 2024), the challenge of wrestling a stock car around the Brickyard is another beast entirely.
Even Kyle Larson—who has driven both IndyCars and Cup cars—has emphasized the stark differences in handling and discipline required between the two styles. For a driver with Legge’s limited stock car oval résumé, many believe this leap may be too much, too soon.
Richmond Makes Sense—But It’s Off the Table?
Originally, Katherine Legge had also been slated to run the short track at Richmond Raceway next month. Given Richmond’s smaller layout and reduced speeds, that entry raised far fewer eyebrows. But now, that race no longer appears on her schedule.
Instead, she’s heading to one of the most prestigious—and unforgiving—stages in motorsports.
News in Brief: Katherine Legge’s Brickyard Return Sparks Debate
Whether NASCAR’s decision to let Legge compete is defensible or not, the microscope is firmly on both her and the sanctioning body. Fans frustrated with the sport’s recent decision-making have already labeled this a disaster waiting to happen. If things go sideways, criticism won’t be in short supply.
But for Legge, this is a chance to flip the narrative. A clean, steady performance at Indianapolis could silence doubters, if only temporarily.
The 2025 Brickyard 400 is set for Sunday, July 27 at 2:00 p.m. ET on TNT Sports.
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