Daniel Suárez is speaking out after his on-track incident with Katherine Legge, not blaming the driver herself but instead questioning NASCAR’s decision to allow competitors with minimal stock car experience to race in the Cup Series.
The crash, which occurred at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, saw Suárez collide with Legge after she lost control. While some initially thought Suárez was frustrated with Legge, he clarified in his vlog that his real concern was with NASCAR’s policies regarding driver eligibility at the sport’s highest level.
Suárez: NASCAR Must Prioritize Experience in Cup Series
In his vlog, Suárez expressed frustration, emphasizing the dangers of putting inexperienced drivers in high-speed Cup Series races.
“There’s nothing wrong with her. What is wrong is NASCAR. They cannot allow somebody with no experience to run in the Cup Series. Plain and simple,” Suárez said.
Suárez pointed out that Las Vegas, a high-speed track, presents serious risks, making it crucial for drivers to have a solid understanding of how stock cars handle in difficult situations.
“You go to Las Vegas, to a fast track, it’s freaking dangerous. You cannot do that,” he continued. “And then here, honestly, this is not a so slow pace. Like, I hit her and I was running 100 MPH slowing down already.”
Lack of Experience a Factor in the Incident?
Suárez noted that when Legge spun, he expected her car to slide to the inside of the track. Instead, she stayed in the racing groove, making it nearly impossible for him to avoid contact. He attributed this to her lack of experience in how a Cup Series car reacts in a spin.
While Legge has a strong background in open-wheel racing, including IndyCar and sports cars, her limited seat time in stock cars has raised questions about how NASCAR evaluates a driver’s readiness for its top division.
A Growing Debate in NASCAR
Suárez’s comments add to an ongoing debate about whether NASCAR should implement stricter experience requirements for the Cup Series. While some argue that talented drivers from other disciplines deserve opportunities, others, like Suárez, believe that the learning curve in stock cars is too steep for drivers without prior experience in lower NASCAR series.
As safety remains a top priority, it remains to be seen if NASCAR will address these concerns or revise its policies for future races. In the meantime, Suárez is making it clear: he’s not blaming
