Katherine Legge Indy 500 crash: How NASCAR star's attempt at completing 'Double' ended early in Indianapolis

Katherine Legge will likely still be making history on Sunday, but not in the fashion that she hoped.

The NASCAR star set out to complete the "Double," first driving in the Indy 500, then planning to travel to Charlotte as quickly as possible to race in NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600. But just 18 laps into her run in Indianapolis, Legge's drive came to a premature end.

After Ryan Hunter-Reay spun out and crashed at the Indy 500, it left Legge little choice but to crash into him — meaning that while her own Indy 500 run came to an end, she would have more time to travel to Charlotte for the evening.

Here's a look at the crash that ended Legge's attempt at fully completing the "Double."

MORE: Updates, highlights from Katherine Legge's "Double" attempt

Katherine Legge Indy 500 crash

It was the first caution of the afternoon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that resulted in Legge's early exit, and it wasn't much of her fault either.

Hunter-Reay was in front of her on Lap 18, and after coming around a turn, he lost control with his car smoking and starting to spin out. While he mostly kept his car under control and moving forward, Hunter-Reay's crash left a huge trail of smoke for other drivers.

Legge was directly impacted, having to navigate where she would avoid the crash in the thick smoke. And ultimately, the only way she was able to avoid Hunter-Reay's car was swerving off the track and toward a nearby wall.

Legge was fine, as was Hunter-Reay, but both of their runs at the Indy 500 ended early. 

The first caution of the day. Ryan Hunter-Reay spins. Katherine Legge tries to avoid contact. pic.twitter.com/eg3t0tABUO

— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 24, 2026

Catch a second look at the accident involving Ryan Hunter-Reay and Katherine Legge. pic.twitter.com/7ZmWfH9GY4

— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 24, 2026

Here's a look at the aftermath of the damage to Legge's car: 

Katherine Legge’s wrecked car. pic.twitter.com/SyRhFx4TZ7

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 24, 2026

Can Katherine Legge still complete the Double?

In terms of officially "completing" the Double, meaning driving every lap of the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600, Legge's attempt was over the moment she crashed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. She already faced a significant challenge to complete all 1,110 laps — Tony Stewart will remain the only driver to start and finish both races on the same day.

However, even with just 18 laps logged in the Indy 500, Legge did start in the race — and her early exit should give her plenty of time to travel to Charlotte and also start in the Coca-Cola 600. By doing so, she can officially become the first woman to ever start in both races on the same day.

MORE: What is Katherine Legge's net worth?

Drivers to start in Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600

Should Legge's travel to Charlotte and start to the Coca-Cola 600 go as planned, including any potential weather delays in Charlotte, she will become the seventh overall driver, and the first woman, to start in both races on the same day.

Last year, Kyle Larson also started in both races, but a crash after 91 laps at the Indy 500 prevented him from completing it. 

MORE: What is the Double and how many drivers have attempted it?