Motorsport news: What is the IndyCar-NASCAR Double – and who is attempting the feat in 2026?
The Double is a racing feat that involves completing both IndyCar’s Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600.
In attempting The Double, a driver is competing in the most prestigious IndyCar race and the longest event on the NASCAR schedule.
Both races happen on the same day, with the Indy 500 in the early afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600 in the evening at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
This year, the races are on Sunday, May 24.
The Indy 500 starts at 12:30pm ET and the Coca-Cola 600 starts at 6:00pm ET.
Together, the races comprise 1,100 miles – 500 miles in 200 laps for the Indy 500 and 600 miles in 400 laps for the Coca-Cola 600.
But is anyone attempting The Double this year? Sports News Blitz’s Katie Butler takes a look.
Legge attempts 2026 Double
Katherine Legge is the first woman to attempt the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 Double.
In her fifth Indy 500 start, Legge will drive the No. 11 Chevrolet HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing as a one-off entry.
Then, in the Coca-Cola 600, Legge will drive the No. 78 Chevrolet for Live Motorsports.
When speaking to IndyCar on Fox about attempting The Double, Legge said: “Just to be able to do [the Indy 500] is incredible.
“But being able to do both on the same day is kinda crazy. It’s awesome.
“There are only perceived barriers – you can do anything you put your mind to.
“Only five people have done it before me, so why not?”
The Brit previously became the first woman to compete on a NASCAR superspeedway during her NASCAR Cup Series debut in the World 600, which is now the Coca-Cola 600.
She was subsequently the first woman to qualify and race in the Indy 500.
The question is: Can she go and become the second driver and the first woman to be successful in completing the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 Double?
READ MORE: Motorsport news: Who are the Indianapolis 500 one off entries in 2026?
Stewart pioneers the feat
American racing driver Tony Stewart is the only driver to complete The Double.
He succeeded in 2001 in what was his second run after first trying in 1999.
Stewart finished the Indy 500 on the lead lap at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in sixth.
Later that day, he crossed the line at Charlotte Motor Speedway third in the Coca-Cola 600.
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Latest attempt offers warning
The last person to attempt The Double was Kyle Larson in 2025.
Returning after an unsuccessful run in 2024 due to rain, Larson had hope going into the 2025 Indy 500.
Unfortunately, he crashed on lap 92 out of 200 – although a rain-delayed race start of 45 minutes meant he probably wouldn’t have been able to make it to Charlotte on time anyway.
His bad luck then continued in Charlotte as he crashed in the 600 having only completed 245 out of 400 laps.
This year, Larson is not attempting The Double.
In a press conference with Fox Sports and other reporters, Kyle Larson said: “I don’t have FOMO.
“I think that once the race day comes, I’ll have a little bit of FOMO as every race car driver probably gets that has competed in it before.
“I had a great time doing it the couple years I did, and I’ll look forward to watching on TV and being a fan.”
On May 21, Amazon Prime will release a Prime Original documentary on Larson attempting The Double.
Titled Kyle Larson vs. The Double, the documentary is set to show behind the scenes of Larson’s failed attempt.
And with Katherine Legge attempting The Double a few days later, fans have the unique chance to watch history being made.
Will you be joining them?
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