In a dramatic turn of events at the Chicago race weekend, Katherine Legge managed to secure a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series, knocking out Corey Heim of 23XI Racing in a shocking upset. The race weekend saw five open entries vying for the final four spots on the grid, with Legge’s performance marking a David vs. Goliath moment as she edged out the favored Heim.
Shane van Gisbergen captured an impressive pole position, while reigning Supercars champion Will Brown secured a place for Kaulig Racing by finishing 19th. Austin Hill’s Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet took the 30th spot, and Josh Bilicki managed a 31st-place finish in the Garage 66 Ford. However, it was Legge’s performance that stole the spotlight, as she narrowly outpaced Heim, who is currently a dominant force in the NASCAR Truck Series.
Unexpected Challenges and Triumphs
Corey Heim’s weekend took a turn for the worse during his initial run when he hit the wall, bending a toe-link and putting his qualification in jeopardy. Despite improving his lap time by four-tenths of a second on a damaged car, it was not enough to secure a spot. Legge, on the other hand, faced her own challenges, crashing into tire barriers during practice and touching the wall during qualifying. Yet, she emerged unscathed and managed to outperform Heim by just over a tenth of a second.
“I was thinking, way to go showing all my minor indiscretions there,” Legge humorously remarked to TNT Sports as she reflected on her tumultuous day. “I tried my best to mess that qualifying up, honestly. It was a lot of pressure to come in with only 20 minutes of practice on a street course where there is no room for error and try to put it in the show. I actually feel pretty good about it now.”
Comparisons to Indy 500
Legge, who has previously qualified for four Indianapolis 500 races, noted that the stress of qualifying for the Chicago Cup was unlike anything she had experienced before. “There’s a level of comfort with Indy,” she explained. “I know where I’m going and what I’m doing and here, it’s very much drinking from a fire hose, trying to find my feet and get better. And the only way to get better is with laps and we don’t have any practice … it’s this vicious circle.”
Despite the challenges, Legge expressed gratitude for the support she received, saying, “It means the world to me. I can’t thank everybody enough. It’s been a hell of a year.”
Reactions and Future Implications
Heim, reacting to his Did Not Qualify (DNQ) status, took to social media to express his disappointment. “I made a mistake on my first lap and bent the toe link. Tried to get everything I could out of it after that but clearly wasn’t enough. That’s completely my fault and still trying to process all of it. Thank you 23XI Racing for a car plenty capable enough to make the race.”
The upset not only highlights the unpredictability of motorsports but also underscores the challenges faced by drivers competing on unfamiliar street courses with limited practice time. As the race progresses, all eyes will be on Legge as she starts 33rd in the 40-car field for her third Cup start of the year, representing one of five different countries in the field.
Meanwhile, the broader NASCAR community continues to buzz with developments, from Shane van Gisbergen’s pole-winning performance to other notable incidents in practice and qualifying. The Chicago Cup race promises to be a thrilling event, with drivers and teams eager to prove their mettle on the challenging street circuit.
