In 2004 Katherine Legge was watching  her racing career collapsing and her money running dry. But she refused to give up and leave, and instead decided to walk into Cosworth’s UK office. She refused to leave till she got a meeting with the boss. She was so persistent that Kevin Kalkhoven had to actually send his daughter to make her go, only for her to end up convincing him he needed to see her instead. That was the start of her professional racing career and now two decades later she is the same kind of stubborn and now ready to take on bigger challenge. Even the ones that champions like Kyle Larson have said is a “tough undertaking”. 

She is preparing for “The Double,” a 1,100-mile same-day race challenge. Veteran reporter Bob Pockrass revealed that Legge will drive for AJ Foyt Racing in Indianapolis before flying to Charlotte for a shot at history in the No. 78 car for Live Fast Motorsports. But Legge is far more than ready for the challenge. 

“This challenge is about pushing through perceived limits … taking risks, and trying to do something unique,” Legge said. To have this mental space is huge but then you can’t ignore than she is actually undertaking chaos. 

In the morning she will be in an IndyCar that’s capable of over 230 Mph and it’s light and sharp and by evening she will be in a 3,500 pound stock car. And if that’s not enough, you need to hope the logistics and everything works on your end. Because, everyone remembers what happened to Larson back in 2024. 

Larson attempted to run all 1,100 miles in a single day in both 2024 and 2025, but failed to complete the feat on either occasion. Larson finished 18th in the 2024 Indianapolis 500 before rain prevented him from competing in the Coca-Cola. Crashes in 2025 left him 24th at Indy and 37th at Charlotte. “The window of time is too tight, ” the 2025 Cup champion admitted last year. So it is not strange that only a handful of drivers have ever attempted it. And only the legendary Tony Stewart has completed all 1,100 miles in a single day. 

That said it will be the 45-year-old Brit’s fifth Indy 500, adding to a CV that already includes appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Sebring, as well as becoming the first woman to lead the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Of course, those achievements would pale in comparison if she matches Stewart’s feat, which he achieved in 2001 by finishing sixth at Indy and third at Charlotte. One thing is for sure, she would have Larson cheering for her.

“First off, I think it would be awesome if she could do it,” said Larson. “I believe [she would be] the first female, and only female to have done it, so that would be great.

John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Stewart, Kurt Busch, and Larson are the only drivers to have successfully managed the logistics and started both races on the same day. Notably, Andretti’s landmark double attempt also came with AJ Foyt Racing, creating a fitting historical link to Legge’s own bid more than three decades later and placing the British driver in rare company.

“It’s another groundbreaking thing that I can showcase to the world, really that, if you set your mind to things, you can do anything, and you can do things that maybe you never even dreamt of before,” Legge said of her ambitious Double Duty plan after a 38th-place finish at Watkins Glen last Sunday.

Also what makes her attempt really stand out this time is not the change itself but the weight it carries beyond the track. She is backed by e.l.f. Cosmetics, a partner using her journey to highlight just how rare visibility still is for women in motorsport. So her run becomes something larger than racing, it’s representation.

“At e.l.f., we believe culture moves forward when more women are given the opportunity to own their stories, break barriers and redefine what is possible,” said Patrick O’Keefe, Chief Integrated Marketing Officer, e.l.f. Beauty. “Katherine attempting ‘The Double’ is a reflection of what empowering legendary.females looks like in action backing women who push boundaries and inspire the next generation to dream even bigger. Together, we are building experiences that invite our community into that journey and remind every eye, lip and face that the road opens wider when women are in the driver’s seat.”

If truly if all goes according to plan though, Legge is out to set a landmark moment for women in racing.

Legge’s Double is a landmark moment for women in Racing

If Legge successfully qualifies for both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600, she will become the first woman ever to attempt motorsports’ grueling same-day Double Duty, adding on to the legacy of women in racing.

Nearly 50 years ago, Janet Guthrie failed to qualify for the Indy 500, but bounced back by making her NASCAR Cup debut in the World 600 at Charlotte on the same day. Her run marked the first time a woman competed on a NASCAR superspeedway, helping challenge long-held beliefs about women not having what it takes to endure the physicality of stock car racing. Legge’s upcoming attempt now feels like the next chapter in that boundary-pushing story.

The 45-year-old driver’s Indianapolis program will be overseen by veteran crew chief Andy O’Gara, whose wife, Sarah Fisher, became one of IndyCar’s most influential female trailblazers as both a driver and team owner. And while trailblazer Danica Patrick famously balanced the Indy 500 and Daytona 500 within the same season, she never attempted both marquee races on a single day.

That is what makes Legge’s challenge feel different.