Katherine Legge Set for Daytona Debut After Strong Practice Session

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Katherine Legge is gearing up for her NASCAR debut with confidence after showcasing her skills during Friday’s ARCA Series practice session. Legge, driving the No. 23 Chevrolet owned by Joe Farré, posted the 10th-fastest speed, clocking in between 180-181 mph. This performance comes ahead of the Daytona ARCA race scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

“I think I have a car capable of winning,” Legge said following practice. Despite her optimistic outlook, she acknowledged that success would require more than just a fast vehicle. “If we stay out of trouble and we’re lucky,” she added.

Due to rain postponing Thursday’s qualifying session, ARCA rules mandated that the starting lineup be determined by owner points, allowing Legge to secure the ninth starting position. The race, spanning 80 laps over a distance of 200 miles, is part of a doubleheader event that will include an Xfinity Series race later in the day.

Legge has prior experience in motorsports, having participated in 12 Rolex 24 endurance races and competed in multiple Xfinity Series events. The English driver expressed her eagerness to engage more with NASCAR and stock car racing. “I wanted to have the ability to do more NASCAR-related stuff,” she said. Chevrolet facilitated her connection with Farré’s team, which she praised for their expertise.

This weekend’s race marks Legge’s first time racing on a superspeedway. While she has recorded speeds exceeding 230 mph in IndyCar, she is still adapting to the nuances of stock car racing, particularly the complexities of bump-drafting. “I think it’s an art form, right?” Legge remarked, highlighting the skill required for this maneuver. “You have to trust whoever is doing it with you.”

Team owner Joe Farré noted Legge’s impressive discipline during practice, indicating her potential to excel in the race. “When she came back in, she basically reported that she was like 40-50% throttle on the whole deal,” he said. “She really showed the discipline to keep the car where she wanted to.”

As the race approaches, Farré expresses optimism about Legge’s ability to navigate the competition effectively. “If she demonstrates that kind of stuff tomorrow, you know she’s gonna ride up there in that top 10, and then all bets are off in those last few laps,” he added. The anticipation builds as Legge prepares for her inaugural stock car challenge at the legendary Daytona International Speedway.