Katherine Legge of NASCAR Laughs Off ‘Too Much Mascara’ Remarks
Katherine Legge is too focused on breaking boundaries to concern herself with critics.
At 44, Legge will take the wheel of the e.l.f. Cosmetics No. 32 Chevy during the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ BetMGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 24. In March, she made history as the first woman to compete in a NASCAR Cup series race since Danica Patrick stepped away in 2018.
In a male-dominated sport, the British driver shared exclusively with Us Weekly that she’s uninterested in conforming to any stereotypes.
“If someone perceives you a certain way, that reflects more on them than on you,” she stated. “As you grow older, you start to accept this and care less. It’s not my issue if you think I apply too much mascara.”
As she transitioned from IndyCar to NASCAR, Legge noted that not all her fellow drivers have been welcoming.
“Most of them are unfamiliar with me,” she said. “Reactions have been varied—some have reached out kindly, while others have not been as hospitable. I suspect the unkind ones might be the insecure ones.”
On the subject of female representation in motorsports, Legge said it’s simply because “it hasn’t occurred successfully in the past.”
“I think people hesitate to accept change,” she reflected. “But if I consistently performed well, perhaps more people would acknowledge that women can do it. There’s a certain level of belief that comes from seeing it firsthand. I hope that as more people break through barriers and demonstrate resilience, the narrative will begin to shift.”
While Legge recognizes she stands at the forefront of this change, she insists the pressure is “not as much on my mind” as one might assume.
“I simply aspire to be the best race driver I can be,” Legge stated. “The appearance of the driver doesn’t matter; the car has no preference.”
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Legge added, “I’m aware of the responsibility resting on my shoulders because many young girls approach me at the racetrack looking for inspiration. I aim to honor that and not amplify the fact that I’m female. I want to navigate this in a professional manner and be recognized as a legitimate race car driver.”
To further inspire her young audience, Legge recently released a children’s book titled “Kat’s Magic Helmet.”
“I want it to motivate the next generation, sharing the challenges I faced,” Legge shared about the book. “I was quite shy during my childhood and experienced some bullying in racing, and there’s an underlying narrative I wish to convey to assist today’s youth.”
“Kat’s Magic Helmet” is now available. The NASCAR Xfinity Series’ BetMGM 300 will be broadcast live on Saturday, May 24, at 4:30 p.m. ET on The CW.
