Before the engines roared at Indy, few expected a quiet redemption to unfold. Katherine Legge’s career-best 17th-place finish at the Brickyard 400 wasn’t just a personal triumph; it shattered expectations. Starting 38th, she charged into the top 10 mid-race, delivering Live Fast Motorsports’ best non-superspeedway result ever. It was the highest finish by a woman at the event since Danica Patrick’s 11th in 2017, and the team’s fourth-best Cup result overall.

But that breakthrough stood in stark contrast to her Cup debut at Phoenix, where things unraveled quickly. Legge spun early, recovered briefly, then collided with Daniel Suárez, ending both their races. The backlash was swift; critics slammed NASCAR’s approval system and questioned her readiness, comparing her harshly to past female drivers. Even Suárez criticized the decision to put an inexperienced driver in a Cup car. Online, the scrutiny turned toxic, with some comments crossing into outright hate.

Kevin Harvick rethinks Katherine Legge’s NASCAR journey

One of NASCAR’s most respected veterans, Kevin Harvick, in his podcast Happy Hour, admitted he had been among those questioning Legge’s readiness for stock‑car competition. But after watching her handle the high-pressure double‑duty weekend one misstep-free drive after another, he reversed course. “I think that the criticism was well-deserved and fair,” Harvick said, acknowledging his past stance. “But I also think that the kudos are well-deserved and fair, too. We say keep that same energy on. If you’re going to talk about it when it’s bad, talk about it when I do good.” He credited her work ethic and seriousness in tackling NASCAR’s steep learning curve.

Co-host Mamba Smith added a poignant layer: “I screwed up a lot of things too,” he said. Legge’s journey from open wheel and endurance racing to becoming one of only two women competing in both Cup and Xfinity this year is unfolding in real time, mistakes and all. Harvick’s willingness to publicly recalibrate his view suggests something deeper than PR, it’s a recognition of shared growth and resilience.

Compared to what Kevin Harvick had to say during her debut at Phoenix, there’s no denying that Katherine Legge has come a long way. Back then, Harvick didn’t hold back. He questioned the entire approval process, slamming the system for letting underprepared drivers jump into Cup cars cold. “She was really thrown to the wolves,” he said, pointing out she was in “probably the worst car in the field.”

Harvick continued, “These Cup cars are hard to drive. You can’t just let everybody drive it.” He even mentioned other road course veterans like Helio Castroneves wrecking due to unfamiliarity with Cup machinery, before bluntly stating: “You better be damn ready to drive one of these cars when you get behind the wheel.” But flash forward to Indy, and the tone has shifted. The same driver who was once criticized for misjudging exits and spinning out solo is now being praised for her control, smoothness, and ability to stay out of trouble. From being seen as a liability to gaining respect among her peers, Legge’s growth is hard to ignore.

Katherine Legge’s career graph is on the rise

Far from being just a “seat-filler,” Katherine Legge’s record across multiple high‑level series speaks volumes. With over 260 starts, 8 wins, 20 podium finishes, and 4 pole positions in open-wheel and sports car racing, Legge proved her mettle far before putting her first seat in a NASCAR Cup car. In IMSA’s GTD class, she finished runner‑up in the 2018 championship behind Bryan Sellers, logging multiple podiums and strong consistency in factory‑backed programs. Not to mention her IndyCar stints one of them saw her become the first woman ever to lead a lap in Champ Car at Milwaukee, twice landing sixth place finishes in IndyCar events .

The broader question becomes unavoidable: Does NASCAR truly value credentials earned outside its own bubble? In 2025, Legge is one of just two women competing selectively in both the Cup and Xfinity Series, and the only one with multiple starts in each. Her next stop? Watkins Glen in August a road-course she likely knows better than most Cup regulars.

Kevin Harvick’s shift from doubter to supporter marks a turning point in how Katherine Legge is viewed in the NASCAR garage. His early criticism after her debut crash stood in contrast to his recent praise, showing just how much her performance and persistence have challenged perceptions. For a driver long judged as an outsider, Harvick’s reassessment signals growing respect for Legge, and for talent coming from beyond NASCAR’s usual path.