Katherine Legge’s Tough Luck Continues at Talladega: A Day of Promise Ends in Heartbreak
This past weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, the British driver once again saw a strong run end in devastating disappointment during her NASCAR Xfinity Series outing. After a day that showed real potential, Legge’s race ended prematurely in a late-race crash, adding to a season that has been filled with frustration and near-misses.
Driving the No. 32 Chevrolet for Jordan Anderson Racing, Legge looked poised for her best finish of the season. She played it smart early, hanging back to avoid the typical Talladega chaos before making her move in the closing laps.
By the final stage, Legge had cracked into the top 15 and seemed ready to secure a breakthrough result. But with just 13 laps remaining, disaster struck.
As the field charged down the backstretch, Aric Almirola attempted to move up a lane after being told he was clear by his spotter. The timing was off. He clipped Legge’s car, triggering a multi-car wreck that also collected Jeffrey Earnhardt and Brandon Jones. Legge’s day was over, and she was credited with a 34th-place finish — marking her third consecutive DNF (Did Not Finish) after similar misfortunes at Phoenix and Rockingham.
Despite the heartbreaking end, Legge did make a little bit of history at Talladega. During the race, she became only the fourth woman ever to lead a lap in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition, joining the ranks of Danica Patrick, Natalie Decker, and Patty Moise.
However, true to her humble nature, Legge downplayed the achievement, noting that her time at the front came during a pit-stop cycle.
“That doesn’t count. I can’t claim that. That’s not right,” she said after the race. “I spend most of my time saying I should just be treated like any other driver, right? So claiming something like that just seems wrong. I think I had a really good day regardless.”
Speaking to reporters after the crash, Legge remained remarkably positive despite her obvious disappointment.
“Honestly, I was having so much fun. The car was awesome. Jordan Anderson and the whole team gave me a great car,” Legge said. “I thought we were going to have a great day, but man, we just can’t catch a break.”
She also emphasized her commitment to keep pushing forward, even through the setbacks:
“I’m gutted for the result, but I think we proved we belong here. This is the hardest championship in North America. I’ll keep learning, earning the respect of the other drivers and the fans. There’s no quit in me. We’ll get there, I hope.”
Following the incident, Aric Almirola was quick to accept blame for the crash.
“I didn’t even look in my mirror. As soon as my spotter said ‘clear up,’ I moved. And I turned across Katherine’s nose,” Almirola explained. “I’m really disappointed about it. We took ourselves — and others — out of contention.”
Despite the rough outing, Legge remains focused and determined. Her next scheduled start is at Texas Motor Speedway, where she hopes to finally turn her season around.
She also made a point to thank her sponsors and fans for their continued support, promising that better days are ahead.
“One of these days, we’re going to get them,” Legge said with a smile.
As the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season rolls on, Katherine Legge’s resilience and fighting spirit continue to earn her respect — and many believe that her long-overdue breakthrough is just around the corner.
