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Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Speedway, Ind.) — Katherine Legge makes history as the first woman to attempt The Double, driving 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 all 1,100 miles in a single day. Most recently, NASCAR driver Kyle Larson tried twice, in 2024 and 2025, but both attempts were thwarted.
And unfortunately for Legge, her Indy 500 ended very early when she was involved in a wreck, leaving Stewart as the only driver to finish both races on the same day for at least another year.
The 45-year-old veteran driver from England competed in the Indy 500 for HMD Motorsports as part of an alliance with AJ Foyt Racing behind the wheel of 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)
There are several logistical challenges to attempting The Double, efficient transportation from Indianapolis to Charlotte included. And Legge probably had to leave Indianapolis sometime between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM ET to get to the Coke 600 before the scheduled start at 6 p.m. ET. But with her wreck, she shouldn’t have any trouble making it to NASCAR on time.
Through Legge’s busy day, we’re here to follow her progress.
Indy 500 Field hits the track
After qualifying for the Indy 500 last weekend, Legge will start this race from the ninth row from the 26th.
Indy 500 Green Flag
Although it appeared that rain might hinder the scheduled start of the 2026 Indy 500, the green flag flew on time and Legge started 26th.
The average Indy 500 is about three hours.
Legge collected in Early Indy 500 Wreck
The Indy 500 had barely started. But on lap 19, when Ryan Hunter-Reay spun out at Turn 2, Legge tried to avoid him, but the pair still made contact and brought out the first caution flag.
Both drivers were able to exit their cars without assistance from the safety team, and they were both evaluated and released from the medical facility. But unfortunately for her, Legge’s Indy 500 run ended very early.
What Katherine Legge Said After Her Indy 500 Crash
After being evaluated and released from the hospital, Legge explained his perspective on what happened. Clearly, she was heartbroken.
“I’m just exhausted more than anything,” Legge told FOX Sports’ Georgia Henneberry.
“Ryan spun in front of me,” she continued, explaining her perspective on the wreckage. “I think he was fighting his car for a minute and I was back there just relaxing and saving fuel. And he spun and went down the track and then started coming back up the track, so I had to abort the mission and try to go low. And I just didn’t make it.”
“Desperately frustrating,” Legge told us and other reporters outside the medical center. “Everybody involved deserved more. To be taken out of something out of your control, I feel, can be a little better than to be taken out of something in your control. … They were looking forward to a long day today, and now it’s been cut relatively short.”
Legge added that she could not see much in front of her because of the smoke from Hunter-Reay’s tires and car. She opted to try the high side of the track to avoid him as he spun low, but as his car slid back up the track she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“At the last minute I had to go left and there just wasn’t enough time for the car to not spin out of control,” she continued. “It is what it is. I don’t think anyone could have saved it, unfortunately.”
Now it’s at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and along the way she acknowledged that she will have to adjust her attitude and put the Indy 500 behind her.
