Katherine Legge to Compete in NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Las Vegas

NASCAR Cup Series driver Katherine Legge will replace a previously scheduled race start at Richmond Raceway to compete in the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 12, marking her first start on a 1.5-mile oval and a significant test during the postseason’s Round of 8 opener.

Legge, driving the No. 78 Chevrolet for Live Fast Motorsports, has made six Cup Series starts this season, achieving a 19th-place finish on the streets of Chicago – the team’s best non-oval result in its five-year history – and a 17th-place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, their best-ever oval finish in a non-superspeedway race. Her initial 2025 schedule did not include the Brickyard 400, a decision that drew criticism, but she has since demonstrated her ability to overcome challenges, improving from a 38th-place start to finish 17th at Indy.

The change in schedule means Legge’s second career oval start will be at the 2.5-mile Las Vegas track rather than the short track at Richmond. This shift is particularly noteworthy as Las Vegas is a crucial race in the NASCAR playoffs, adding pressure to Legge’s performance. Live Fast Motorsports has only one remaining scheduled race this season, with team owner B.J. McLeod set to race at Talladega Superspeedway on October 19; McLeod experienced overheating issues at Talladega in April. You can find more information about the NASCAR Cup Series schedule on the official NASCAR website.

The South Point 400 will be broadcast live on USA Network starting at 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 12. Officials stated the decision to include Legge in the playoff race reflects her recent performance improvements and the team’s commitment to maximizing opportunities.