Legge Makes History in Long Beach

The achievement of the 24-year-old PKV Racing driver was allthemore impressive, given than last night's race was her first in the series.

"What a fantastic race and I'm just so happy for my team," the Northampton-born Briton said. "They did an unbelievable job. I don't think this has quite sunk in yet."

Legge started the race from seventh, but ploughed through the field up to second, and was then able to secure a win when race leader Rocky Moran Jr. was hit by technical problem.

"There were a few full-course yellows and it was a long race," Legge commented after the race. "I knew I had time. I didn't even think about winning, just wanted to stay out of trouble. I had a good start. I just let Rocky [Moran Jr.] go. I knew I had enough car for him.

"It's been a life-long ambition of mine to be sitting in this spot. I'm very thankful to Kevin Kalkhoven and PKV Racing for giving me this opportunity."

Legge's win is believed to be the first by a female driver in a major open-wheel event in North America, and certainly the first since South African Desire Wilson won at Brands Hatch in the F1 Aurora Series in 1980.

And Legge said: "It's not sunk in yet that I've made history but, hopefully, it will encourage more young girls to get into the sport."