Despite late crash, Katherine Legge still has reasons for optimism after strong Talladega run

Legge ultimately finished 34th, but it was an all-round solid effort from a driver still getting used to driving stock cars on a more frequent basis. 

"Honestly, I was having so much fun," Legge told reporters after being released from the infield care center. "The car was awesome. I was kind of hanging out for the first two-thirds of the race, and then we got a little bit more racey and I could run up there pretty easy. I thought we were going to have a great day. Can't catch a break."

During a green-flag pit cycle, Legge became just the fourth female in the history of the NASCAR Xfinity Series to lead a lap in an Xfinity Series race. But, in the spirit of a true competitor, Legge says her leading the lap under the circumstances of a pit cycle is dubious. 

"That doesn't count," Legge laughed. "I can't claim that, that's not right. We'll just say I had a really good day." 

Despite the wreck, Legge should be able to hold her head high. She ran a quiet, clean race, and when the pay window opened, she was in position to score a solid finish before the inherently chaotic nature of Talladega took her out. 

Legge will compete in the next Xfinity Series race on May 3 on Texas Motor Speedway in the No. 32 Chevrolet for Jordan Anderson Racing, and will make her next Cup Series start at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City on May 15 for Live Fast Motorsports.