Open-Wheel Race Goes to Woman

Look out Danica Patrick, Katherine Legge is on your heels.

Legge showed Sunday that her victory in April at Long Beach in her Toyota Atlantic debut was no fluke, racing to a win on the new road course at City Center Airport, near downtown Edmonton.

It is only the second major open-wheel win for a woman since Desire Wilson won an Aurora Formula One race at Brands Hatch in Legge’s native England in 1980, the year Legge was born.

Legge started third in the 14-car field and, after passing second-place starter Tonis Kasemets, she drove to the front. She overtook pole-winner Charles Zwolsman for the lead on the 19th of 32 laps on the 1.973-mile, 14-turn temporary circuit.

She dogged Zwolsman for several laps before finally taking advantage when he was slowed slightly by a lapped car. Legge moved to the inside and barely pulled off the tough pass.

“The backmarker didn’t move out of the way like I thought he would, and Katherine was able to get beside me,” Zwolsman said. “Our tires were nearly touching, and I knew if I didn’t back off we’d probably both crash out. She was really quick, and it was a great move by Katherine.”

Legge led the rest of the way, holding off a final lap challenge after a late race restart from Zwolsman, who finished 0.220 of a second, about three car-lengths, behind.

Legge, who turned 25 on Tuesday, has been helped in part this season because she is one of up to 12 rookies who have been running in the Champ Car developmental series, but the only woman. She is fifth in season points.