On this polarizing age all of us reside in, social media is usually a treacherous place. Sadly, Katherine Legge is experiencing that first-hand following her current NASCAR outings. In a current episode of her podcast, Throttle Remedy, Legge received candid in regards to the Rockingham race weekend.
Legge was concerned in an early-race incident when William Sawalich spun her out, damaging Kasey Kahne’s automotive within the course of. This led to some explosive reactions on social media, and in what is unfortunately changing into anticipated nowadays throughout digital platforms, most of the feedback took issues means too far.
“I will not tolerate any of those threats to my security or to my dignity”
On her podcast, Legge had lots to say in regards to the criticism she has been going through, which has crossed over from efficiency critiques to gender-based assaults. Whereas extremely skilled in open-wheel vehicles and sports activities vehicles, her seat time in inventory vehicles stays restricted. She stated that racing in NASCAR “comes with an unbelievable sense of delight,” but in addition “a degree of scrutiny and harassment.”
She continued: “Nonetheless, I’ll say that the hate mail, dying threats, and the inappropriate sexual feedback I’ve obtained aren’t simply disturbing, they’re unacceptable. Let me very clear, I am right here to race and I am right here to compete and I will not tolerate any of those threats to my security or to my dignity. Whether or not that is on monitor or off of it.”
Legge went on to say that she is open to constructive criticism and is clearly open to studying and enhancing, however famous that” there may be there’s a very skinny line between suggestions and private assaults. It is actually disappointing to see how typically that line will get crossed.”
Katherine Legge, Stay Quick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photograph by: Getty Photos
It is a difficulty that isn’t remoted to NASCAR, auto racing, and even the USA, however that does not make it any much less flawed, as Legge famous. “The extent of hate that myself and my staff our experiencing in the mean time is a part of a broader difficulty that I consider ladies particularly face in male-dominated areas … We won’t normalize this difficulty. There’s nothing regular about it. It’s very unacceptable.
“I’ve earned my seat on that race monitor. I’ve labored simply as exhausting as any of the opposite drivers on the market, and I have been racing professionally for the final 20 years. I am 100% positive that the OEMs and the groups that employed me — with out me bringing any sponsorship cash for almost all of these 20 years — didn’t achieve this as a DEI rent, or a gimmick, or anything. It is as a result of I can drive a race automotive.”
Breaking down the Rockingham race weekend
Legge additionally talked about how the hatred is not going to make her stop and that she stays “extra targeted than ever” in her dedication to the game. “My efficiency and never my gender is what defines me as a competitor,” earlier than later including: “Fortunately, I’ve been in more durable battles than you guys within the remark sections.”
Legge then went into element about how her weekend at Rockingham performed out. Whereas a lot of the destructive suggestions got here because of the in-race wreck, there was additionally criticism relating to how she made the race. She initially did not qualify, however was in a position to safe a journey with one other staff for the race.
Explaining all of it, Legge introduced listeners in on how she had prime 25 tempo in follow. In qualifying, she received visibly free on the exit of Flip 2 and he or she lifted — doubtless greater than she ought to have, by her personal admission. She nonetheless beat 5 different drivers however because of the lack of proprietor factors from the No. 32 Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet, she was one in every of two drivers to overlook the present.
A fellow Chevrolet staff was in a position to provide her with a journey with J.J. Yeley willingly giving up his seat. This isn’t an uncommon follow in NASCAR. Legge then detailed how she needed to get acclimated to a very new automotive because the race received underway, however remained inside an inexpensive tempo when in comparison with the remainder of the sector.
On the wreck itself, she broke it down moment-by-moment, noting how she was making an attempt to not take any pointless dangers.
“I gave him [Sawalich] a lane and the rationale the closing tempo appears to be like so excessive is not as a result of I braked mid-corner. I did not. I stayed on my line, stayed doing my velocity, which clearly is not the velocity of the leaders as a result of they’re passing me … and he charged in a bit too exhausting, which is the velocity distinction you see. He understeered up a lane and into me, which spun me round and Kasey Kahne was an unlucky recipient.”
Whereas the vitriol is straightforward to search out, there have been those that have come to the protection of Legge as properly, together with Marco Andretti, who took goal straight because the hateful commenters.
You’ll be able to hearken to Legge’s full Throttle Remedy podcast HERE.
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Nick DeGroot
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR XFINITY
Katherine Legge
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