Katherine Legge had a point to prove when she returned to NASCAR at Rockingham this weekend. The English-born driver, long known for her success in IMSA and IndyCar, had made history earlier this year when she became the first woman since Danica Patrick in 2018 to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series race. But that debut at Phoenix Raceway didn’t go according to plan. She spun twice, one of which collected Daniel Suárez and ended his day early.
Critics pounced. Online backlash questioned her ability, and a storm of scrutiny followed. Legge didn’t back down. In interviews, she admitted her mistakes. “I know Phoenix wasn’t my best work… but I’m a damn good race car driver,” she told NBC Sports. She brushed off the hate, refocused, and committed to a fuller NASCAR schedule. With a combined twelve races ahead across the Cup and Xfinity Series, she looked forward to gaining seat time and silencing her critics.
But fast-forward to Rockingham, a track making its own comeback, and the story shifted again. Legge, who failed to qualify in the No. 32 car, was gifted a second chance when teammate J.J. Yeley gave up his seat in the No. 53 Joey Gase Motorsports ride. She started the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 with high hopes. Instead, another on-track mishap put her back in the fire. And this time, the victim wasn’t just any driver — it was NASCAR veteran and fan favorite Kasey Kahne, making his emotional return after a seven-year hiatus.
Katherine Legge blames William Sawalich!
Midway through Stage 1, as the leaders came around to lap the No. 53 car, Katherine Legge slowed down too much heading into the corner. William Sawalich, who was right behind her, had nowhere to go and ploughed into the rear of her car. The collision knocked Legge sideways — and directly into Kasey Kahne’s path. Kahne, attempting to avoid the incident by dipping low, instead found himself caught in the mess.
The result: heavy damage to Kahne’s No. 33 Chevrolet, a broken rhythm in his long-awaited return, and another controversy for Legge. Kahne had to pit for repairs, his front right tire and fender visibly damaged. The incident all but ruined his day. However, after jumping out of her car, Legge alleged that Sawalich bumped her. “I think I must have been really bad in a previous life or something because I was a bit unlucky,” she told broadcasters.
“I mean, I’d given the inside lane to whoever had just gone past me, and I thought we were going to finish the corner, but he just moved up the racetrack and understeered straight into my left rear, so not much you can do,” she further added.
Katherine Legge, William Sawalich, and Kasey Kahne run into problems on the turn to bring out the caution. pic.twitter.com/ckZWHz3fhq
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) April 19, 2025
However, fans failed to buy her argument as Legge faced a massive backlash on social media. “She’s now 2 for 2 in f—– over other drivers. 100% her fault. If you’re that slow, get the f— out of the race,” a user wrote.
That sentiment is spreading quickly, especially as Legge’s stats don’t offer much defense. She’s made only five Xfinity starts with a best finish of 14th, and her Phoenix debut in Cup ended with a 35th-place result. She also crashed out early in the ARCA race at Daytona earlier this year. However, for fans of Kasey Kahne, the Rockingham wreck felt like a gut punch. Kahne, 45, hadn’t driven in a NASCAR race since 2018.
His return to the No. 33 car, backed by Rick Hendrick and HendrickCars.com, was one of the most anticipated storylines of the season. He was looking forward to competing on the track where he’d once celebrated victory. “This place has always been special to me,” Kahne said in Friday’s press conference. “I’ve missed this. We’ll see how it goes, maybe we do another.” But the dream comeback got cut short.
This is a developing story.
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