After being the final entrant of the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 to be announced, Katherine Legge is now set to make history. This month, she will be the first woman to attempt the double duty. Supported by e.l.f. Cosmetics, the British driver will complete the INDYCAR Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 back-to-back.
INDYCAR and NASCAR: The Double Duty
The Double Duty is a racing accolade within American motorsports. Spanning the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and NASCAR Cup Series, it is one of the most demanding racing feats to attempt. It crosses two legendary events—the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. Whoever attempts it faces a total of 1100 miles driven in a single day.
Both races fall on the same day, the Sunday before Memorial Day. To begin, drivers attempting the feat will start in Speedway, Indiana. There, they face 500 miles across 250 laps for the famous Indianapolis 500. Once the chequered flag falls, it is straight on a flight down to Charlotte, North Carolina. Once there, it is time to swap a single-seater car for a stock car and participate in the Coca-Cola 600. Rounding out the intense day is 600 miles over 400 laps.
The Coca-Cola 600 is the 13th round of the NASCAR Cup Series. It is held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Transitioning from day to night and being the longest race, it is one of the series’ most unique rounds. Historically, these two American races also coincide with Formula 1’s jewel, the Monaco Grand Prix, making it a famous racing day. This year, however, they are joined by the Canadian Grand Prix.
Legge Joins The List
To date, only five drivers have attempted to complete this challenge. The first was John Andretti in 1994. Robby Gordon has attempted it the most times, five, whilst Kyle Larson was the most recent driver to try in both 2024 and 2025. However, completing all 1100 miles in 2001, Tony Stewart has the best record. Stewart recorded the best combined result, finishing sixth in the ‘500’ and third in the ‘600’.
Now, Katherine Legge will make history as she becomes the first female driver to attempt the back-to-back races. In collaboration with e.l.f. Cosmetics and Chevrolet, first she will drive the No.11 Chevrolet-powered HMD Motorsports with A. J. Foyt Racing car. Immediately after, she transitions to the No. 78 Chevrolet Live Fast Motorsports car.
Legge has raced in INDYCAR since 2006, having completed a total of 40 races. She has also previously competed in Formula E, DTM, IMSA, and the World Endurance Championship. Having previously competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, last year she made her NASCAR Cup Series debut.
The Double Duty is a physically and mentally demanding task. Travelling between two states to complete two races means Legge will face little rest on the 24th May. With so few attempting the challenge, she becomes the sixth to try. No matter how it goes, her participation will go down in history for both series.