Rain forecast threatens Katherine Legge 'Double' try

Katherine Legge’s plan on Sunday depended less on speed than on the clock. The British driver was set to race in the 110th Indianapolis 500 and then fly to North Carolina for NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, becoming the first woman to attempt the “Double” — one of U.S. motorsport’s hardest same-day challenges. Weather was the variable hanging over both races. Forecasts for Indianapolis called for rain and possible delays, and every lost minute at Indianapolis threatened to squeeze the turnaround to Charlotte. ### What exactly is Legge trying to do? Katherine Legge was scheduled to race 500 miles at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 600 miles later Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The feat, known as the “Double,” requires a driver to complete the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, usually by helicopter and private aircraft between the two tracks. (sports.yahoo.com) Yahoo Sports and NASCAR said Legge would be the first woman ever to attempt it. Only a small group of drivers had tried before her, including John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson. Tony Stewart remains the only driver credited with completing all 1,100 miles in one day, according to Yahoo Sports. (sports.yahoo.com) ### Why does rain at Indianapolis matter so much? The Indianapolis 500 was scheduled for a 12:45 p.m. ET green flag on May 24, while the Coca-Cola 600 was scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET in Charlotte. That left Legge a narrow travel window even if Indianapolis ran on time. Yahoo Sports said the flight from Indianapolis to Charlotte typically takes about 70 to 90 minutes, making any weather stoppage or delayed finish a direct threat to the second half of the attempt. (sports.yahoo.com) USA Today and Yahoo Sports reported unsettled forecasts for Indianapolis on race day. One Yahoo Sports weather report, citing AccuWeather and local forecasts, said rain chances were elevated and thunderstorms were possible, while another race-day update said the National Weather Service outlook gave the Indy 500 a 45% chance of rain, with a possible window for drier conditions later in the afternoon. (sports.yahoo.com) ### What was the forecast saying on race morning? Indianapolis-area coverage on Sunday described the forecast as uncertain rather than a washout. IndyStar said the National Weather Service outlook had shifted in recent days, and Yahoo Sports reported rain was more likely to interfere with timing than to force an outright abandonment early in the day. (sports.yahoo.com) The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has track-drying equipment that can help restart after showers, but drying time still matters when a driver has another race 600 miles away. Yahoo Sports noted that Monday’s weather looked more favorable if a postponement became necessary, though a Monday race would end the same-day Double by definition. (indystar.com) ### Where did Legge stand going into the day? Alex Palou entered Sunday from pole after qualifying at 232.248 mph, making him the front-row focal point of the Indy 500 buildup. Legge’s storyline was different: finishing Indianapolis in time to leave, reach Charlotte and start the second race. Yahoo Sports listed Palou’s pole, the weather and Legge’s logistics among the main race-day variables. (sports.yahoo.com) USA Today said Legge had already cleared one major hurdle by qualifying for Indianapolis, which kept the Double plan alive. NASCAR said on May 13 that she was officially set for the attempt on May 24. ### What had to happen next? The next concrete checkpoints were fixed by the schedule. (sports.yahoo.com) Indianapolis was set to go green at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 24, and Charlotte’s Coca-Cola 600 at 6 p.m. ET, leaving Legge to rely on an on-time Indy 500, a quick exit from the Speedway and a fast flight south if she was to make both starts. (sports.yahoo.com) (usatoday.com)