Katherine Legge makes career decision after reacting to 'vile' NASCAR criticism
Despite facing criticism from social media trolls, NASCAR trailblazer Katherine Legge has remained defiant as she announced her surprise latest career move.
History-making motorsports star Katherine Legge has unveiled her next career move as she announced that she will release a children's book imminently. The part-time Xfinity driver, who is expected to race for Jordan Anderson in the 2025 season, previously became only the eighth female star to compete in the Cup Series this year.
The 44-year-old competitor from Great Britain duly took part in the race at Phoenix Raceway in the No. 78 Chevrolet for Live Fast Motorsports. Following in the footsteps of Danica Patrick, she was the first woman to race in the Cup since the former when she raced in the Daytona 500 back in 2018.
She wrecked in her appearances at Phoenix and Rockingham and was on the receiving end of cruel messages from social media trolls in the past, which she denounced as "vile". Amid her numerous achievements behind the wheel, Legge has now turned her talents to writing in the form of a children's book entitled "Kat's Magic Helmet".
- NASCAR changes All-Star Race format after controversial gimmick slammed
- Bubba Wallace sent message from 23XI crew chief immediately after Texas wreck
Speaking ahead of the release of the book, which centers around the early adventures of her racing career, she explained why she felt compelled to bring her story to life in this mannter. She said: "I know firsthand how it feels to be an outsider, having often been the only girl competing against boys.
"This book is for every kid who’s ever felt unsure or left out. I want them to know they’re not alone—and that they absolutely belong."
Sign up to our NASCAR newsletter here.
She later took to Instagram to pose alongside her printed book, as she confirmed she would be discussing it further on the next episode of her "Throttle Therapy" podcast alongside the publication's illustrator. She said: "My first children’s book ‘Kat’s Magic Helmet’ is officially out today. I’m so excited to share it with you!
"It’s very special to me as it was inspired by my early racing days! If you want to check it out, it’s on Amazon (link in bio)And I will be talking about it with @redracerbooks and good friend (and now book illustrator) @ashleigh.illustrates on my podcast Throttle Therapy. Feeling super grateful today and I hope you all love it as much as I do."
Indy 500 Driver Lyn St. James paid tribute to the Brit for her efforts, saying: "Katherine is an incredibly talented race car driver, but more importantly, she shares the magic of desire and self-confidence, so others can believe in their dreams. Not everyone wants to be a competitive athlete or race car driver, but young people—especially girls—can be inspired by her story of determination."
Previously, Legge hit out at her critics as she vowed to simply not listen to her detractors. She said: "I have a thick skin. It’s not worth my time or energy. I can honestly say it doesn’t phase me one way or the other, because they are people who I would not ask an opinion of.
DON'T MISS
"The people I respect, team members, my bosses, my partners, my family, my friends, and those who have been there and done it, are the voices that I listen to."
NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps also condemned the vitriol Legge has received adding: "I want to be crystal clear about this, we condemn this behavior. It is unacceptable, this is not appropriate for NASCAR, sports, or the world. This is a woman who has competed very successfully in all forms of motorsports and we want her here at NASCAR. They can take their opinions and their hate right out of NASCAR, because there’s just no place for it."
