Katherine Legge to attempt Indy500-Coca-Cola 600

Katherine Legge said on May 13 that she plans to attempt one of U.S. motorsport’s rarest same-day feats: racing in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24. NASCAR said Legge would try “The Double” on Memorial Day weekend, a 1,100-mile combination that has drawn only a handful of drivers. Indianapolis Motor Speedway lists the Indy 500 green flag for 12:45 p.m. Eastern time on May 24, while Charlotte Motor Speedway lists the Coca-Cola 600 for 6 p.m. Eastern that evening. The gap leaves only a narrow window for Legge to leave Indianapolis, fly to North Carolina and get to the Cup car in time. Legge told reporters she would try to make the transfer by air and that she still needs NASCAR clearance for the Cup start, according to FOX59/CBS4. (nascar.com) Her announcement came after her Indy 500 deal had already been put in place for HMD Motorsports and A.J. Foyt Racing. ### How unusual is this attempt? NASCAR said Legge would be the first woman to attempt the Indianapolis 500-Coca-Cola 600 double. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com) FOX59/CBS4 reported that only five drivers previously had tried to run both events on the same day: John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson. Tony Stewart remains the only driver to complete both races in one day, FOX59/CBS4 reported, finishing sixth in the Indy 500 and third in the Coca-Cola 600 in 2001. (fox59.com) Kyle Larson’s recent attempts showed how fragile the logistics can be: FOX59/CBS4 said Larson missed the Coca-Cola 600 start in 2024 because of rain delays at Indianapolis and failed to finish either race in 2025 after crashes. (nascar.com) ### What is Legge scheduled to drive at Indianapolis? FOX59/CBS4 reported that Legge will drive the No. 11 e.l.f. Cosmetics Chevrolet for HMD Motorsports and A.J. Foyt Racing in the 110th Indianapolis 500. The IndyCar schedule page lists the race as running May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Legge has made five previous Indianapolis 500 starts and 47 IndyCar starts in her career, FOX59/CBS4 reported. (fox59.com) The station also said the 2026 race would be her first IndyCar start of the season. ### What did Legge say about taking on both races? Legge said in a prepared statement carried by FOX59/CBS4 that “very few drivers ever get the opportunity” to attempt the double. (fox59.com) She said the challenge was about “pushing through perceived limits,” and thanked sponsor e.l.f. Cosmetics for backing the effort. NASCAR’s report also framed the effort as a bid to become the first woman to take on the same-day pairing of the two races. (fox59.com) That places Legge’s announcement in a short list of modern attempts at one of racing’s best-known endurance challenges. ### What still has to happen before May 24? FOX59/CBS4 reported that NASCAR clearance is still required for Legge to start the Coca-Cola 600. (fox59.com) The report did not specify in that excerpt what additional approval steps remain. Indianapolis qualifying is the next major on-track step. IndyCar’s event page shows qualifying beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, May 16, with pole-day activity on May 17, before the race on May 24. (nascar.com) Charlotte Motor Speedway’s schedule shows Cup practice and qualifying on May 23 before the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24. That means Legge’s Memorial Day weekend plan depends on completing Indy 500 preparations in Indianapolis, securing NASCAR approval, and then making the same-day trip from Speedway, Indiana, to Concord, North Carolina, in time for driver introductions and the 6 p.m. start. (fox59.com) (charlottemotorspeedway.com) (indycar.com)