Legge’s Double Quest Ends Early After Indianapolis Crash
Katherine Legge’s attempt to become the first woman to complete “The Double” was halted by a crash during the Indianapolis 500, though she is still set to compete in the Coca-Cola 600.
Katherine Legge’s attempt to become the first woman to complete “The Double”—racing 1,100 miles across two tracks in a single day—ended abruptly on Sunday after she crashed during the Indianapolis 500. The English driver, competing for HMD Motorsports with A.J. Foyt Racing, completed just 17 of the scheduled 200 laps before her race was concluded by a collision with the inside wall.
The incident occurred in Turn 2 when Ryan Hunter-Reay began spinning and braked heavily to avoid the wall. Legge, who started from the 26th position, attempted to steer inside to navigate through the resulting smoke and debris but failed to avoid contact with the track barrier. Both drivers were examined and released by medical teams at the track’s infield medical centre.
Speaking after the incident, Legge described herself as physically fine but emotionally disappointed. She noted that she had been conserving fuel when Hunter-Reay spun ahead of her. “I was just chilling, trying to save fuel, and he spun down the track and started coming up the track, so I tried to go low and just didn’t make it,” Legge said. Hunter-Reay described the situation as “super disappointing,” stating it was the most intense he had felt at the venue in 16 years.
Legge’s week was marked by logistical and weather-related disruptions. A delayed flight from New York caused her to miss the annual media day, and she experienced communications issues during Friday’s final practice. Although Coca-Cola 600 qualifying was rained out on Saturday, the predicted rain did not materialise for the Indianapolis start, allowing the race to proceed on time.
Despite the early exit at Indianapolis, Legge remains scheduled to travel to North Carolina to attempt the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600. She will start 37th for Live Fast Motorsports. Her teams, who announced her attempt only last week, have arranged for a helicopter transfer from the speedway to Indianapolis International Airport and a private jet to Charlotte, contrasting with the months of preparation undertaken by previous contenders.
