Katherine Legge's Chicago Street Race Debut: A Trailblazer's Challenge!
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Katherine Legge is set to make her debut at the Chicago Street Race, marking another milestone in her groundbreaking NASCAR season. This year has been a whirlwind for Legge, as she navigates her first season in the NASCAR Cup Series, becoming the first female driver since Danica Patrick in 2018. Her journey began in March at Phoenix Raceway, and now she faces the unique challenge of the Chicago street course.
“This year has been like drinking through a fire hose because I’m learning new cars, new circuits and new ways of doing things,” Legge told the Sun-Times. She prepared for the race by running simulations to familiarize herself with the course. The limited practice time, just 20 minutes, makes video analysis crucial for her preparation.
Legge is no stranger to breaking barriers. She was the ninth woman to compete in the Indy 500 since 1911 and the only woman in the 2024 edition. While she has experience with street courses through IndyCar racing, she recognizes the Chicago course as unique.
“It’s bringing racing to the people, right?” Legge said. “They can literally watch the car go by their faces, so it’s a whole different animal. You have to be precise. You’ve got concrete walls. The atmosphere is the most unique thing about street-course racing.”
However, Shane van Gisbergen secured the pole position for the Grant Park 165 NASCAR Cup Series race, clocking in at 1 minute, 29.656 seconds, outpacing Michael McDowell by over four-tenths. Corey Heim, unfortunately, failed to qualify due to suspension damage. William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Denny Hamlin also faced setbacks, forcing them to start at the back of the field. Bubba Wallace encountered spins during qualifying, placing him in 37th position.
Legge's start to the 2025 season has been challenging, with a 32nd-place finish in Mexico City and a crash in Phoenix. Despite these setbacks, Legge remains optimistic about the rest of the season. "It’s not a linear process," she said, acknowledging the learning curve in her Cup Series career.
Chicago Street Race Starting Lineup:
- Shane van Gisbergen
- Michael McDowell
- Carson Hocevar
- Tyler Reddick
- Chase Briscoe
- And many more...