Katherine Legge Speaks Out Against Online Abuse in NASCAR Debut
Katherine Legge, the latest woman to compete in the male-dominated world of NASCAR, has broken her silence about the intense wave of online abuse she’s faced since entering the Cup Series in March.
With a racing career that began in 2000 and previous NASCAR appearances under her belt, Legge recently qualified for the NASCAR Cup Series for the first time. However, her entry has sparked a barrage of negative reactions from some fans, leading to a flood of abusive online messages.
Despite her experience, Legge’s first two races of the season ended in DNFs (Did Not Finish), which only fueled criticism from detractors who questioned her presence in the sport even before she hit the track.
In an interview with CNN, Legge addressed the hostility: “Online bullying is getting more toxic, and I think that somebody needs to call it out. It’s shocking to read some of the vile things that people write… they feel empowered to say things online that they wouldn’t dare say in person.”
She acknowledged that being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated sport comes with extra scrutiny, pointing out how some view female drivers as unqualified or token inclusions rather than deserving competitors.
Legge also highlighted how the rise of social media has emboldened fans to express sexist and dismissive opinions more freely, making it especially difficult for women in sports to be judged solely on their performance.
