In his latest YouTube vlog, he criticized NASCAR’s driver approval system.
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In a recent incident at Phoenix Raceway, NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suárez expressed frustration following a collision with Katherine Legge, which significantly impacted his race.
The crash occurred on lap 216 when Legge spun entering the backstretch, collecting Suárez’s No. 99 Chevrolet, who was running sixth at the time. After repairs, Suárez finished 23rd.
In his latest YouTube vlog, Suárez addressed the incident, emphasizing that his concerns were not directed personally at Legge but rather at NASCAR’s driver approval system.
He stated, “It’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, plain and simple.”
Katherine Legge is an accomplished driver with a diverse racing background, including multiple wins in the IMSA SportsCar Championship Series and starts in the NTT IndyCar Series. She has also competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series.
Despite her extensive experience, Legge had limited seat time in a NASCAR Next Gen car prior to her Cup Series debut, raising questions about the adequacy of preparation for such a competitive environment.
This incident has sparked discussions within the NASCAR community regarding the criteria and processes for approving drivers to compete at the Cup Series level.
Some, like Suárez, believe that more stringent evaluations are necessary to ensure that drivers possess the specific experience required for NASCAR’s premier series, thereby maintaining safety and competitiveness on the track.
The debate highlights the challenges faced by drivers transitioning from other racing disciplines into NASCAR’s top tier, underscoring the need for a comprehensive assessment of the current approval system to address these concerns.
