NASCAR News: Indy 500 veteran set to make Cup Series return at Watkins Glen

Live Fast Motorsports has announced that Katherine Legge will return to the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend.

The British driver will return to race at Watkins Glen for the second year in a row (albeit significantly earlier in the year, May 10th vs August 10th) for the part-time team, after running seven races last year.

Legge's experience in sports cars and open wheel racing was brought up by team owner B.J. McLeod when discussing the decision, with a number of starts in various series at Watkins Glen specifically.

The 45-year-old has been short of major race reps so far this year, but stepped back into a high-speed cockpit last week for Indy 500 testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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In the team's statement announcing her return to the No. 78 car, Legge said: “We’ve been looking closely at where to start my NASCAR Cup schedule this year, and Watkins Glen made a lot of sense from both a timing and performance standpoint.

"This track has always been a favorite of mine – it’s fast, technical, and unforgiving. To be back here in the Cup car, especially with e.l.f. on board again this year, makes it really special. It’s a great way to bring together my road course roots with my newfound love for stock car racing.”

Owner McLeod, who jumped into the very same No. 78 car for the first two races of the year at Daytona and Atlanta, added: “We enjoyed a lot of success together in 2025, and we are looking forward to building on that.

"Katherine brings a lot of experience, especially on road courses. She works well with our team and gives strong feedback, so we're excited to get back on track together and keep moving this program forward.”

Legge also back at Indy 500 chasing more history

This year, as mentioned, also marks Legge's return to the Indy 500 after skipping the race last year – although she didn't skip Indianapolis entirely, taking a season-best 17th in Cup Series at the Brickyard 500.

Legge set both the fastest one-lap qualifying speed (231.627 mph) and the fastest four-lap average qualifying speed (231.070) for a woman in the race's history back in 2023, and will be hoping that her HMD Motorsports (partnered with AJ Foyt Racing) car will be able to match or surpass that next month.

Speaking last week, she said: “It honestly feels like Christmas being back at the 500. Every time I return, I gain a deeper appreciation for what it takes, not just to compete here but to earn the opportunity to be here in the first place. I’m reminded that I’m a small part of this enormously storied event.”