Katherine Legge Speaks Out Against Online Abuse as NASCAR Driver

Talladega, Alabama — British racing driver Katherine Legge is speaking out about the online abuse she has faced as the only female driver in NASCAR. She told CNN Sports that she has received thousands of hateful messages, death threats, and inappropriate comments across various social media platforms.

Legge decided to address the abuse after a tough racing weekend at Rockingham. She shared that while she appreciates fan engagement, the level of vitriol directed at her is mounting. “Online bullying is getting more toxic, and I think that somebody needs to call it out,” Legge said. “It’s shocking to read some of the vile things that people write.”

Legge emphasized that many comments are things people would never say face-to-face, pointing out that female athletes often face heightened scrutiny and abuse in male-dominated sports. “There is the opinion that we are a gimmick, or we shouldn’t be there because we’re DEI hires and we haven’t earned our spot,” she explained.

Legge is not alone in her experiences. Other female athletes, such as basketball star Angel Reese and WNBA player Breanna Stewart, have voiced concerns over online threats and harassment. Stewart has even involved law enforcement after receiving homophobic threats.

Despite the abuse, Legge maintains a thick skin. “It’s just noise,” she said, noting that the opinions of her supporters matter more to her than those of her detractors. “The people I respect are the voices that I listen to.” Legge also expressed empathy for her online critics, saying, “I feel sorry for them.”

NASCAR has responded to the situation by providing Legge with a security detail for her upcoming races. NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps condemned the online behavior, stating, “This is unacceptable; this is not appropriate for NASCAR, sports, or the world.”

Legge is scheduled to race 11 more times in the Xfinity and Cup series this season. Her goal is to improve her performance and compete successfully. “I’m having a great time on these awesome tracks, driving these beasts,” she said. “I’m hoping to get some results towards the end of the year.”

Legge believes that the only way to reduce online abuse is to make it socially unacceptable. “The reasonable people in the population think that it’s unacceptable, right? It’s bullying,” she said. “I didn’t set out to be a role model; I just set out to be a racing driver.”

She aspires to inspire others facing similar challenges by demonstrating resilience. “I’m hoping that my example will help someone to cope with being bullied,” Legge concluded.