Katherine Legge, William Sawalich, and Kasey Kahne run into problems on the turn to bring out the caution. pic.twitter.com/ckZWHz3fhq
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It’s been a difficult start to the 2025 NASCAR program for Katherine Legge.
After a disappointing NASCAR Cup Series debut at Phoenix Raceway, which resulted in a wreck while being lapped, Legge decided to expand her schedule more into the NASCAR Xfinity Series, starting at Rockingham.
Legge failed to qualify for Saturday’s North Carolina Education Lottery 250 at Rockingham, due to the difficult owner points position of the No. 32 Chevrolet for Jordan Anderson Racing.
Just a few hours before the race began, Joey Gase Motorsports accepted Legge into the driver’s seat of the No. 53 Chevrolet, which was qualified into the field by JJ Yeley.
The Guildford, United Kingdom-native’s afternoon didn’t end up getting much better, and ended after only 50 laps, with a multi-car accident that collected fan-favorite Kasey Kahne, as well as William Sawalich.
Legge was being lapped by top-five runner William Sawalich, when the No. 18 SoundGear Toyota GR Supra made contact with the rear bumper of the No. 53, sending Legge spinning down the track into the path of Kahne.
The No. 53 then overcorrected into the outside wall, critically damaging Legge’s vehicle, while also causing significant damage to Kahne’s No. 33 Chevrolet and some damage to Sawalich, as well.
“I’m fine, just exasperated. I think I must have been really bad in a previous life or something because a bit unlucky, I mean, there was not a lot that I could do, I was just taken out by Sawalich. It is what it is in that situation.”
Legge will record a 38th-place finish in her first NASCAR Xfinity Series event of the season, while Kahne and Sawalich were able to continue after coming to pit road for service.
“I’d given the inside lane to whoever had just gone past me, I thought we were going to finish the corner, but he just moved up the racetrack and understeered into my left rear. Not much you can do.”
