Nascar teams go in to help Katherine Legge before her cup debut at Phoenix

Avondale, Ariz. – Multiple NASCAR teams helped Katherine Legge prepare for her first cup this weekend at Phoenix Raceway.

“Everyone gave me the best opportunity to go there and do a good job,” Legge said on Friday.

The 44-year-old manager of England will become The first woman to compete at a Nascar Cup race since Danica Patrick Drive in the 2018 Daytona 500. Legge will the no. 78 for Live Fast Motors Sports, which runs a limited cup schedule this season.

She will make her first debut at Phoenix Raceway with Live Fast Motorsports.

Legge’s cup debut came together quickly. She spoke to Nascar two weeks ago in Atlanta about what she had to do to participate in a cup of cup. She was told that a roadway or a short lane was where she had to start.

Legge said that not everything could be compiled fast enough to make her debut this weekend at Circuit of the Americas, so Phoenix became the next best option.

“It was a very intense lead,” Legge said.

She was busy this week.

Richard Childress Racing provided a static SIM for her to feed rounds on the Phoenix track. Chevrolet gave her time in one of the driver-in-the-loop simulators. She worked on pit stops by driving the car for Hendrick Motorsports’ pit practice. Kaulig Racing also provided support, she said, along with the AJ Allmender and former cup manager Andy Lally, the president of the Trans Am series.

“I feel super-supporting and as prepared as I could possibly be, that I’ve never ridden a next Gen car on an oval,” Legge said.

In a preview of the championship, the 1-Mile Oval will host the top two national circles.

Legge, who won in IMSA and competed in four Indianapolis 500s, is realistic about the challenges she faces this weekend.

“I don’t think we have any expectation that we will be competitive,” Legge said. “I think if I finished something other than last, it would be a win for us because I don’t have the experience one of these guys has. I don’t have the car at the moment that is capable of leading and running, so hopefully we can develop me and the car and everything at the same time and we can get there. “

Legge said her goals for Sunday are simple.

“Basically complete all the shots,” she said. “I want to do a good job and reduce mistakes because everyone makes mistakes, but I really want to reduce them. I want to stay out of trouble and show respect and prove that I belong. I think if I do those things, I think I will have the opportunity to do more. ‘