Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Katherine Legge

Discover the career path of Katherine Legge, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Katherine Legge is a British professional auto racing driver competing in NASCAR, IndyCar, and IMSA. In 2023, she set the record for the fastest qualifying effort for a woman in Indianapolis 500 history. Notably, she was the first woman to win a major open-wheel race in North America back in 2005. She has competed in a diverse range of racing series, demonstrating her versatility and skill in motorsports.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2000: First Woman to Achieve a Pole in a Zetec Race

In 2000, Katherine Legge became the first woman to achieve a pole position in a Zetec race.

2001: Record and Rising Star Accolade

In 2001, Katherine Legge beat Kimi Räikkönen's lap record and achieved a pole. She was also the first woman to receive the BRDC's "Rising Star" accolade.

2002: Sarah Fisher's Last F1 Test Before Legge

In 2002, Sarah Fisher was the last woman to test a Formula One car before Katherine Legge.

2004: Meeting with Kevin Kalkhoven

In 2004, Katherine Legge, after running out of finances, visited Cosworth and met Kevin Kalkhoven who offered her a drive in the Toyota Atlantic Championship.

November 2005: Formula One Test with Minardi

In November 2005, Katherine Legge became the first woman to test a Formula One car since Sarah Fisher in 2002, during Minardi's testing session at Vallelunga. She completed 27 laps with a best lap time of 1:21.176 after an initial crash.

December 2005: A1 Grand Prix Car Test

In December 2005, Katherine Legge became the first woman to test an A1 Grand Prix car with A1 Team Great Britain.

2005: First Woman to Win a Major Open-Wheel Race in North America

In 2005, Katherine Legge became the first woman to win a major open-wheel race in North America.

2005: Toyota Atlantic Championship Success

In 2005, Katherine Legge won the Toyota Atlantic Championship series opener at Long Beach and became the first woman to win a developmental open-wheel race in North America. She secured two more wins at Edmonton and San Jose and finished 3rd in the championship, receiving the Toyota Atlantic BBS Rising Star 2005 Award.

2005: Champ Car Testing

In the 2005-2006 off-season, Katherine Legge tested a Champ Car for Rocketsports Racing and twice for PKV Racing.

February 2006: Driving for PKV Racing

In February 2006, it was announced that Katherine Legge would drive for PKV Racing in the 2006 Champ Car season.

2007: Driving for Dale Coyne Racing

In 2007, Katherine Legge drove for Dale Coyne Racing, achieving sixth place as her best result in the series.

2008: Move to Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters

In 2008, Katherine Legge moved to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters series, driving for Colin Kolles' Futurecom TME Audi team.

2009: Racing for Abt Sportsline

In 2009, Katherine Legge raced for the Abt Sportsline team, the 2008 champions, using the previous year's car.

2010: Second year with Abt Sportsline

In 2010, Katherine Legge continued to race for the Abt Sportsline team.

January 2012: Signing with Dragon Racing in IndyCar Series

In January 2012, Katherine Legge signed with Dragon Racing in the IndyCar Series, alongside Sébastien Bourdais, and secured a sponsorship with TrueCar as part of their Women Empowered campaign. She finished 26th in points.

2013: Joining DeltaWing Program

In 2013, Katherine Legge left IndyCar to join the DeltaWing program in the United SportsCar Championship.

2013: Indianapolis 500 Participation

In 2013, Katherine Legge participated in the Indianapolis 500 race as a joint venture between Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and Team Pelfrey. She qualified 33rd and finished 26th.

2014: Competing in United SportsCar Championship

In 2014, Katherine Legge competed in the United SportsCar Championship for DeltaWing.

2014: Formula E Series

In 2014, Katherine Legge signed for the Amlin Aguri team to compete in the inaugural season of the Formula E electric open-wheel series. She was later replaced by Salvador Durán.

May 2015: Grace Autosport Project Announcement

In May 2015, Katherine Legge announced her involvement with the Grace Autosport project to enter the 2016 Indianapolis 500 race, aiming to promote technology and engineering for young women.

2015: Second Season with DeltaWing

In 2015, Katherine Legge continued to compete in the United SportsCar Championship for DeltaWing.

2016: Grace Autosport Fails to Enter Indy 500

In 2016, the Grace Autosport team, despite its intentions, was unable to acquire a chassis and did not enter the Indianapolis 500 race.

2017: Joining Michael Shank Racing

In 2017, Katherine Legge joined Michael Shank Racing to drive an Acura NSX GT3 at the IMSA SportsCar Championship.

August 2018: NASCAR Xfinity Series Debut

In August 2018, Katherine Legge made her NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, driving the No. 15 Chevrolet Camaro for JD Motorsports. She also competed at Road America and made her oval debut at Richmond Raceway.

2018: Danica Patrick's Last Cup Series Race

In 2018, Danica Patrick was the last woman to compete in the Cup Series before Katherine Legge's debut in 2025.

2019: 24 Hours of Daytona Race

In the 2019 24 Hours of Daytona, Katherine Legge raced as part of an all-female team. They placed 15th in their class after Legge damaged the car's suspension.

July 27, 2023: Return to NASCAR Xfinity Series

On July 27, 2023, it was announced that Katherine Legge would return to NASCAR and the Xfinity Series, driving the No. 07 car for SS-Green Light Racing. However, she only ran the race at Road America due to her sponsor's concerns related to the writers' strike.

2023: 2023 Indianapolis 500

In 2023, Katherine Legge entered the Indianapolis 500, qualifying 30th with a new qualifying speed record for female drivers. However, she retired on lap 41 due to mechanical issues and a crash.

2023: Fastest Qualifying Effort at Indianapolis 500

In 2023, Katherine Legge set the record for the fastest qualifying effort for a woman in Indianapolis 500 history.

2024: 2024 Indianapolis 500

In 2024, Katherine Legge drove for Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing, sponsored by e.l.f. Cosmetics, in the Indianapolis 500. She qualified 31st and her race ended on Lap 23 due to engine failure. She returned to the team for the remaining oval races that season.

2024: Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

In 2024, Katherine Legge participated in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, driving an Acura Integra Type S DE5 in the Time Attack 1 category. She placed 27th overall and 5th in her division.

January 7, 2025: ARCA Debut

On January 7, 2025, Katherine Legge made her ARCA debut in the season-opener at Daytona in the No. 23 car for Sigma Performance Services. She finished 39th after being involved in an early wreck.

March 3, 2025: NASCAR Cup Series Debut

On March 3, 2025, it was announced that Katherine Legge would make her NASCAR Cup Series debut at Phoenix Raceway, driving the No. 78 Chevrolet for Live Fast Motorsports, becoming the first woman to compete in the Cup Series since Danica Patrick in 2018. She was also the oldest driver in the field.

April 10, 2025: e.l.f. Sponsorship Across Xfinity and Cup Series

On April 10, 2025, it was announced that Katherine Legge was bringing her e.l.f. sponsorship over from the Indianapolis 500, spreading it across the Xfinity Series and Cup Series for at least seven races. This arrangement ruled out a return to the 2025 Indy 500.