Katherine Legge is aware of almost each transfer she makes is one other milestone in motorsports, however her focus is on outcomes and never the historical past books.
Within the late hours of Tuesday evening, it was revealed Legge is ready to aim the uncommon ‘Double’ by working the Coca-Cola 600 and Indianapolis 500 on the identical day – Sunday, Could 24. She was already set – and wrapped up the opening day of observe – for the Indy 500, however will now run the endurance crown jewel of the NASCAR Cup Collection schedule with Dwell Quick Motorsports.
Legge, 45, would be the sixth particular person to aim the Memorial Day Weekend ‘Double’ and be a part of the likes of John Andretti (1994), Robby Gordon (1997, 2000, 2002-04), Tony Stewart (1999, 2001), Kurt Busch (2014), Kyle Larson (2024-25). Though she is the primary girl to aim it, that history-making achievement isn’t on the forefront of her thoughts.
How Legge views the historical past she is making
Katherine Legge
Photograph by: Geoff Miller / Lumen by way of Getty Photographs
“I do not wish to be the primary girl, as a result of on the finish of the day I at all times say I simply wish to be a race automobile driver,” Legge stated. “It would not matter whether or not I am black, white, feminine, male, no matter it could be, I believe in all probability, getting the chance to do that as a result of I am a feminine, so that doesn’t escape me, and I am very grateful for it.
“And naturally I wish to do them proud as a result of I do know that there might be numerous eyes on me.”
The British-born Legge would be the first to aim the 1,100-mile feat that isn’t from America, although.
“I believe any person stated I used to be the primary non-American to do it, and that is form of cool, too,” Legge stated. “So I believe being the primary to do something is cool, being certainly one of only a few who will get to aim it, even race at Indy, even race at Charlotte, after which do each on the identical day, wanting again in 10, 20 years’ time, I’d be like, ‘Yeah, that was form of unhealthy ass.’”
Legge, a soon-to-be five-time starter within the Indy 500 and four-time class race winner within the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, has shortly constructed up her NASCAR expertise over the previous couple of seasons. Since making her Cup Collection debut final yr, she has compiled eight begins with a greatest end of seventeenth (2025 Brickyard 400). So, remarkably, regardless of the sensation of suddenness with the announcement, it’s really been within the works for some time.
Excited, however apprehensive
Katherine Legge, HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet
Photograph by: Michael L. Levitt / Lumen by way of Getty Photographs
“Nicely, it has been a few years within the making,” she stated. “I knew that in some unspecified time in the future in time it might be one thing that we checked out doing, however did not anticipate it being this yr. It is a very cool alternative that form of got here up. Clearly, Indy was first, and when that domino fell, then there was numerous discuss it and we thought, ‘Nicely, why not?’ It is perhaps the one alternative I get. It won’t be, however I would as effectively take it whereas the iron’s scorching. And so it is a kind of actually cool issues that not many individuals get to do. I am in a really fortunate place that I did the NASCAR races final yr to have the ability to qualify, to have the ability to participate in them. I am excited, I am additionally a bit of bit apprehensive. It should be numerous driving.”
However that’s additionally the place Legge’s IMSA expertise, particularly the endurance rounds, might show vital.
“I actually hope so,” she stated. “I used to be excited about it and it is like doing a triple stint at Sebring after which ready a couple of hours and getting again in and doing one other triple stint. Solely it is in all probability far more extreme than that.”
Though there are logistics to determine, such because the helicopter and airplane experience to navigate from Indianapolis to Charlotte, these particulars are “above my paygrade” and he or she’s extra centered on diet.
“However I am making an attempt to determine what I’ll eat as a result of I am anxious I’ll be hungry, of all of the issues,” Legge stated. “And the way I’ll keep hydrated and whether or not we’d like an IV on the best way to Charlotte and issues like that.”
Katherine Legge, No. 78 Dwell Quick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photograph by: Chris Graythen – Getty Photographs
Uniquely, although, Legge, who grew to become the quickest girl to ever qualify for the Indy 500 in 2023 with a mean pace of 231.07 mph has the possibility to lean on Larson, the two-time Cup Collection champion and 2024 Indy 500 Rookie of the 12 months, as a useful resource.
“I have been very lucky that Kyle Larson’s been superb and he is clearly received all of the expertise and is aware of what he is doing so he may give me all of the pointers,” she stated. “So I am in a fortunate place having him to lean on.”
As for what a profitable ‘Double’ appears to be like like for Legge…
“I am hoping to have a very good end in Indy,” she stated. “Charlotte could be my first time there in a Cup automobile. I am nonetheless comparatively new on an oval, so I believe to complete that race could be a end result.
“If I might end each of them, I believe we might have had a very good weekend.”
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