Katherine Legge stunned the NASCAR world during the Chicago Street Course qualifying session ahead of the Grant Park 165 on Sunday, delivering a surprising upset over Corey Heim. Legge’s impressive lap time disrupted the plans of 23XI Racing, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, by surpassing Heim’s effort despite tough circumstances.

Legge managed to post a lap of 92.368 seconds, narrowly edging out Corey Heim’s 92.506 seconds by roughly 0.14 seconds. Heim, who had earlier compromised his qualifying attempt after damaging a tow link in a wall impact, was unable to improve his time. This setback was particularly significant for the 23-year-old favorite for the Truck Series championship and his team, as it meant failing to qualify in the fourth car fielded by 23XI Racing. Motorsport analyst Steven Taranto highlighted this unexpected result on X, noting the impact on Heim’s chances.

“An upset in Cup qualifying! Katherine Legge just ran a 1:32.368 in Cup qualifying, a tenth faster than Corey Heim who cannot make another lap. That means Legge will make the race tomorrow and that Heim has failed to qualify in the fourth 23XI car.”

—Steven Taranto

Katherine Legge’s Diverse Racing Background and Historic Achievements

Katherine Legge holds a distinguished career marked by important milestones and a broad range of competition experience. In 2005, she became the first woman to win a major developmental open-wheel race in North America with multiple victories in the Toyota Atlantic Championship. That same year, she also made history by testing a Formula One car, the first woman to do so since 2002. Legge’s career encompasses stints in prestigious series including IndyCar, DTM, IMSA, and NASCAR, showcasing her adaptability and skill behind the wheel.

Facing the Pressure: Legge Reflects on NASCAR Challenges

With over twenty years of racing experience, British driver Katherine Legge is confronting a new level of pressure as she competes in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series. As the only woman on the Chicago Street Race roster, Legge embraces the challenge as a crucial chance to prove herself on unfamiliar terrain and possibly redefine her career path. She openly acknowledges the unique spotlight she faces in NASCAR, where her gender adds another layer to the expectations placed on her performance.

“I definitely think there is pressure… Coming over to NASCAR, with no one knowing me or what I’m capable of, for sure I think it’s added pressure. The spotlight is on. That would be for anybody new, but there’s probably extra pressure because of the female piece,”

—Katherine Legge

Despite early setbacks this season, such as a Did Not Finish (DNF) in Phoenix and a crash in Mexico, Legge maintains her focus with a blend of humility and determination. Her ability to handle both the pressure and the demands of a male-dominated sport reveals her resilience as she strives to leave a lasting mark in NASCAR.

Implications of the Qualifying Result for the Grant Park 165

Katherine Legge’s surprising qualifying performance has immediate consequences for the Grant Park 165 and the dynamics within 23XI Racing. By knocking Corey Heim out of contention for this race, Legge not only secures her spot but also shakes up expectations for the weekend. Heim’s inability to qualify due to mechanical damage challenges one of the season’s rising young talents, underscoring the unpredictable nature of street course racing. This shakeup will be closely watched by fans and teams alike as the Grant Park 165 unfolds.