Katherine Legge first woman to attempt Indy-NASCAR double

Field Level Media|published: Wed 13th May, 11:17 2026

HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing driver Katherine Legge (11) sits down into her car Tuesday, May 12, 2026, during practice for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Katherine Legge plans to race in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600, which would make her the first female driver to complete the "double" if successful on May 24.

The Double calls for a driver to compete in two premiere races, covering 1,100 miles with barely a moment to spare between the Indy and NASCAR Cup Series races. Five drivers previously have attempted the double since John Andretti hatched the idea and completed it in 1994 for AJ Foyt Racing.

"Very few drivers ever get the opportunity to attempt 'The Double,' and I do not take that opportunity lightly," Legge said. "This challenge is about pushing through perceived limits, betting on yourse.l.f., taking risks, and trying to do something unique. I am so incredibly grateful to e.l.f. Cosmetics for believing in what this moment represents and for building a community around it."

Legge, 45, is competing in the Indy 500 in the No. 11 -- also for AJ Foyt Racing -- and flies directly to No. 78 for Live Fast Motorsports in the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, which starts a few hours later. She has entered and qualified for five previous Indy 500 starts and is the only woman in the field in 2026.

Andretti, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon, Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson (2024, 2025) have attempted the double.

Janet Guthrie failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 in 1976 and immediately traveled to Charlotte to make her NASCAR Cup debut as the first woman to compete on a NASCAR superspeedway in what was known at the time as the World 600.

Legge started the Cup Series event at Watkins Glen International on May 10 and finished 35th out of the 40-car field. She first raced in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025.

--Field Level Media