Katherine Legge set to become first female driver to attempt 'The Double'

Katherine Legge is set to make history as the first female driver — and only the sixth driver overall — to attempt the legendary motorsport challenge known as "The Double": racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

A Historic Bid

Assuming logistics and weather cooperate, Legge will attempt to complete 1,100 miles of racing in a single day — a feat that demands not only raw speed, but extraordinary physical endurance, mental fortitude, and near-flawless coordination across two different disciplines and two different sides of the country.

"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 yourself, 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."

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Only five drivers have previously been in a position to attempt The Double: John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, and Kyle Larson — with Larson having made the attempt in both 2024 and 2025. Of that elite group, Tony Stewart stands alone as the only driver to have raced all 1,100 miles, finishing on the lead lap in both events and completing all 600 laps in 2001.

Legge's attempt arrives at a time when female drivers are increasingly making their presence felt at the highest levels of motorsport. The theme of women breaking new ground in racing has been a recurring one in recent months — including 18-year-old Autumn Fisher, who is set to make her F1 Academy debut as a Wild Card entry in Montreal, a reminder that barriers continue to be dismantled across the sport.

The Logistical Challenge

Beyond the physical demands of the races themselves, the logistics of The Double present their own formidable obstacle. Multiple flights back and forth across the country are required to make the tight timetable work, leaving almost no margin for error. Any disruption — weather, mechanical issues, scheduling delays — could unravel the entire attempt.

Should everything fall into place, the Indy 500 would mark Legge's fifth career start at the Brickyard, while the Coca-Cola 600 would be her ninth NASCAR Cup Series start — a combination that underscores just how versatile and accomplished a racing career she has built over the decades.

The challenge ahead is monumental. But for Katherine Legge, that appears to be precisely the point.