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Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Speedway, Indiana) — Katherine Legge makes history as the first woman to attempt the Double, racing the same day in INDYCAR’s Indianapolis 500 before heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway for NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600.
Over the years, five drivers have attempted the Memorial Day double, but Tony Stewart remains the only driver to complete the 1,100 miles in a single day. Most recently, NASCAR driver Kyle Larson attempted it twice, in 2024 and 2025, but both attempts were foiled.
And unfortunately for Legge, her Indy 500 ended early when she was involved in an accident, leaving Stewart as the only driver to finish both races on the same day for at least a year.
The 45-year-old English veteran driver competed in the Indy 500 for HMD Motorsports in an alliance with AJ Foyt Racing driving the No. 11 Chevrolet. For NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, she will be in the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet.
(Photo by Michael L. Levitt/Lumen via Getty Images)
Attempting the Double presents several logistical challenges, including efficient transportation from Indianapolis to Charlotte. And Legge was likely scheduled to leave Indianapolis between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. ET to get to the Coke 600 before the scheduled 6 p.m. ET start. But with her wreck, she should have no problem getting to NASCAR on time.
Throughout Legge’s busy day, we follow his progress here.
The Indy 500 Field hits the track
After qualifying for the Indy 500 last weekend, Legge will start this race from the ninth row from 26th place.
Indy 500 green flag
When it looked like rain might hamper the scheduled start of the 2026 Indy 500, the green flag flew on time and Legge started 26th.
The Indy 500 lasts on average about three hours.
Legge recovered from wreck at start of Indy 500
The Indy 500 had barely started. But on lap 19, as Ryan Hunter-Reay spun into Turn 2, Legge tried to avoid him, but the two men still made contact, bringing out the first caution flag.
Both drivers were able to exit their car without assistance from the safety team, and they were both evaluated and released from the medical center. But unfortunately for her, Legge’s Indy 500 race ended very early.
What Katherine Legge Said After Her Indy 500 Crash
After being evaluated and released from the medical center, Legge explained her perspective on what happened. Obviously, she was devastated.
“I’m just gutted more than anything,” Legge told FOX Sports’ Georgia Henneberry.
“Ryan spun in front of me,” she continued, explaining her perspective on the wreck. “I think he was fighting his car for a minute, and I was there, just relaxing and saving fuel. And he spun and went down the track, and then started going back up the track, so I had to abort the mission and try to go low. And I just couldn’t do it.”
“Desperately frustrating,” Legge told us and other reporters outside the medical center. “Everyone involved deserved more. Being eliminated by something outside of your control, I feel like, may be slightly better than being eliminated by something within your control. … They were looking forward to a long day today, and now it’s been relatively cut short.”
Legge added that she couldn’t see much in front of her because of the smoke coming from Hunter-Reay’s tires and car. She chose to try the high side of the track to avoid him as he spun, but when her car came up the track, she found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“At the last minute I had to go left, and it just wasn’t enough time for the car not to go out of control,” she continued. “It is what it is. I don’t think anyone could have saved that one, unfortunately.”
Now it’s on to Charlotte Motor Speedway, and along the way she’s acknowledged she’ll have to adjust her attitude and leave the Indy 500 behind.
