Katherine Legge knows nearly every move she makes is another milestone in motorsports, but her focus is on results and not the history books.
In the late hours of Tuesday night, it was revealed Legge is set to attempt the rare ‘Double’ by running the Coca-Cola 600 and Indianapolis 500 on the same day – Sunday, May 24. She was already set – and wrapped up the opening day of practice – for the Indy 500, but will now run the endurance crown jewel of the NASCAR Cup Series schedule with Live Fast Motorsports.
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Legge, 45, will be the sixth person to attempt the Memorial Day Weekend ‘Double’ and join the likes of John Andretti (1994), Robby Gordon (1997, 2000, 2002-04), Tony Stewart (1999, 2001), Kurt Busch (2014), Kyle Larson (2024-25). Although she is the first woman to attempt it, that history-making achievement isn’t at the forefront of her mind.
How Legge views the history she is making
Katherine Legge
Katherine Legge
“I don’t want to be the first woman, because at the end of the day I always say I just want to be a race car driver,” Legge said. “It doesn’t matter whether I’m black, white, female, male, whatever it may be, I think probably, getting the opportunity to do this because I’m a female, so that does not escape me, and I’m very grateful for it.
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“And of course I want to do them proud because I know that there will be a lot of eyes on me.”
The British-born Legge will be the first to attempt the 1,100-mile feat that isn’t from America, though.
“I think somebody said I was the first non-American to do it, and that’s kind of cool, too,” Legge said. “So I think being the first to do anything is cool, being one of very few who gets to attempt it, even race at Indy, even race at Charlotte, and then do both on the same day, looking back in 10, 20 years’ time, I would be like, ‘Yeah, that was kind of bad ass.’”
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Legge, a soon-to-be five-time starter in the Indy 500 and four-time class race winner in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, has quickly built up her NASCAR experience over the past couple of seasons. Since making her Cup Series debut last year, she has compiled eight starts with a best finish of 17th (2025 Brickyard 400). So, remarkably, despite the feeling of suddenness with the announcement, it’s actually been in the works for a while.
Excited, but apprehensive
Katherine Legge, HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet
Katherine Legge, HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet
“Well, it’s been a couple of years in the making,” she said. “I knew that at some point in time it would be something that we looked at doing, but didn’t anticipate it being this year. It’s a very cool opportunity that kind of came up. Obviously, Indy was first, and when that domino fell, then there was a lot of talk about it and we thought, ‘Well, why not?’ It might be the only opportunity I get. It might not be, but I might as well take it while the iron’s hot. And so it’s one of those really cool things that not many people get to do. I’m in a very lucky position that I did the NASCAR races last year to be able to qualify, to be able to take part in them. I’m excited, I’m also a little bit apprehensive. It’s going to be a lot of driving.”
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But that’s also where Legge’s IMSA experience, specifically the endurance rounds, could prove significant.
“I really hope so,” she said. “I was thinking about it and it’s like doing a triple stint at Sebring and then waiting a few hours and getting back in and doing another triple stint. Only it’s probably way more excessive than that.”
Although there are logistics to figure out, such as the helicopter and plane ride to navigate from Indianapolis to Charlotte, those details are “above my paygrade” and she’s more focused on nutrition.
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“But I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to eat because I’m worried I’m going to be hungry, of all the things,” Legge said. “And how I’m going to stay hydrated and whether we need an IV on the way to Charlotte and things like that.”
Katherine Legge, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
Katherine Legge, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
Uniquely, though, Legge, who became the fastest woman to ever qualify for the Indy 500 in 2023 with an average speed of 231.07 mph has the chance to lean on Larson, the two-time Cup Series champion and 2024 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year, as a resource.
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“I’ve been very fortunate that Kyle Larson’s been amazing and he’s obviously got all the experience and knows what he’s doing so he can give me all the pointers,” she said. “So I’m in a lucky position having him to lean on.”
As for what a successful ‘Double’ looks like for Legge…
“I’m hoping to have a good result in Indy,” she said. “Charlotte would be my first time there in a Cup car. I’m still relatively new on an oval, so I think to finish that race would be a result.
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“If I could finish both of them, I think we would have had a really good weekend.”
Read Also:
Katherine Legge secures last-minute deal to attempt Indy 500/Coke 600 Double next week
The exclusive club Katherine Legge hopes to join with historic ‘Double’ attempt
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