What is the Indy 500-NASCAR doubleheader? How Katherine Legge accomplished rare feat with Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
If Catherine Legg’s plans for Sunday come to fruition, Monday will give her a well-earned rest.
advertise
Legge is attempting to complete an Indy 500 and NASCAR double, a rare feat that only one driver has ever accomplished. Just competing in two games would be enough for Legg to become a history maker, as no woman has ever competed in two games on the same day.
Kyle Larson’s most recent attempt to compete in both events had his plans derailed by weather in 2024 and failed in 2025, although he started both events on his second try. Legg hopes weather and other variables will cooperate with her aim for history.
Here’s what you need to know about the Indy 500-NASCAR doubleheader and which drivers have tried it.
More:Find out where the 2026 Indy 500 starts
advertise
What is the Indy 500-NASCAR doubleheader?
Attempting an Indy 500 and NASCAR doubleheader means attempting to run and complete the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the Sunday before Memorial Day.
The Indy 500 will take place on Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis, followed by the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the evening. This means completing a double requires more than just skills on the track; When it comes to weather and travel, it just takes a lot of luck.
Drivers also had to drive two different types of cars to achieve the feat, starting with an Indy car and then moving on to a NASCAR stock car.
advertise
Kyle Larson last attempted the feat in 2024, unable to make it to the Coca-Cola 600 in time as the Indy 500 was delayed by heavy rain. Larson tried again in 2025, but failed in both races, and due to rain, it’s likely he wouldn’t even make it to Charlotte in time if he finished the Indy 500.
Here’s a look at which riders completed the double, and which ones came closest.
More: 2026 Indy 500 Qualifying Complete Results
Which riders accomplished the feat of “double duty”?
successful attempt
Tony Stewart(2001)
Only one driver actually completed the entire 1,100 miles of the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day: Tony Stewart. Stewart accomplished the feat in 2001, and two years ago he completed all but four laps between races.
To this day, Stewart remains the only driver to actually start and finish two races, but others have made attempts. Here’s how each driver started both races on the same day:
advertise
Both games start
John Andretti(1994)
John Andretti became the first driver to attempt a double in 1994, completing the Indy 500 in time before flying to Charlotte and starting the Coca-Cola 600. Unfortunately, Andretti suffered engine failure on lap 220 of the NASCAR race and was forced to retire.
Robbie Gordon (1997, 2002, 2003, 2004)
Robby Gordon made five different double attempts, sometimes coming very close, but he was never able to complete all 1,100 miles on the same day. His first attempt ended without any drama, as the Indy 500 was postponed until Monday due to weather conditions. Gordon still competed in two races but was forced to withdraw from the Indy 500 due to an engine fire.
advertise
In 2000, Gordon was unable to start the Coca-Cola 600 on time due to rain at Indianapolis and was replaced as a substitute driver midway through the race. While he did finish part of the game, it didn’t serve as a start for Gordon.
Gordon made three consecutive attempts in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Gordon completed both races in 2002, but he was two laps behind at the end of the 2002 Coca-Cola 600, in part due to cramps, and could only make up one lap, painfully close to achieving his goal.
Mechanical problems forced Gordon to withdraw from the Indy 500 in early 2003, and he was forced to withdraw from the 2004 Indy 500 midway through heavy rain delays.
Tony Stewart(1999)
Stewart completed two races in his first attempt but only completed 196 of the 200 miles in the Indy 500, his most successful attempt to date but not quite the 1,100 miles he wanted. In 2001, Stewart completed the work.
advertise
Kurt Busch(2014)
Kurt Busch had a strong showing at the Indy 500, completing all 200 laps, but engine failure forced him to retire from the Coca-Cola 600 after 271 of 400 laps, preventing him from completing two successful attempts with Stewart.
Kyle Larson(2025)
After attempting a double in 2024 but missing out on the Coca-Cola 600 due to weather, Larson started two races in 2025 but exited the Indy 500 after crashing after 91 laps, thus missing the chance to complete a full double. Had Larson not withdrawn from the race, heavy rain would have prevented him from finishing the race and arriving in Charlotte in time to start the Coca-Cola 600.