What is the Indy 500-NASCAR double? How Katherine Legge can join Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch with rare feat

If Katherine Legge's Sunday plans come to fruition, a well-deserved rest looms on Monday.

Legge is attempting to complete the Indy 500-NASCAR double, a rare feat that only one driver has ever achieved in full. Just starting both races would make Legge a history-maker, as no woman has ever started both races in the same day

The double was most recently attempted by Kyle Larson, whose plans were derailed by weather in 2024 and crashes in 2025 despite getting to start both races on his second attempt. Legge is hoping weather and other variables cooperate as she takes aim at history.

Here's what you need to know about the Indy 500-NASCAR double and which drivers have attempted it.

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What is the Indy 500-NASCAR double?

Attempting the Indy 500-NASCAR double is to attempt to compete in and finish both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the Sunday before Memorial Day.

The Indy 500, which takes place on Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis, is followed by NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 in the evening at Charlotte Motor Speedway. That means completing the double involves more than just skill on the racetrack; it only involves plenty of luck when it comes to weather and travel.

Drivers also have to navigate two different types of cars to achieve the feat, starting with Indy Cars and moving to NASCAR stock cars. 

The feat was last attempted by Kyle Larson, who couldn't get to the Coca-Cola 600 in time in 2024 due to rain delays at the Indy 500. In 2025, Larson made another attempt but crashed out of both races and, due to rain, likely wouldn't have been able to even get to Charlotte in time if he had completed the Indy 500.

Here's a look at which drivers have finished the double and which others came the closest.

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Which drivers have accomplished the 'Double Duty' feat?

Successful attempts

Tony Stewart (2001)

Only one driver has actually finished all 1,100 miles of the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day: Tony Stewart. Stewart accomplished the feat in 2001, two years after completing all but four laps between the two races. 

To this day, Stewart remains the only driver to actually start and finish both races, but others have made attempts. Here's a look at every driver to start both races in the same day:

Started both races

John Andretti (1994)

John Andretti became the first driver to attempt the double in 1994, and he was able to finish the Indy 500 just in time to fly over to Charlotte and start the Coca-Cola 600. Unfortunately, Andretti suffered engine failure 220 laps into the NASCAR race and was forced to bow out. 

Robby Gordon (1997, 2002, 2003, 2004)

Robby Gordon made five different attempts at the double and came painfully close at times, but he was never able to complete all 1,100 miles in the same day. His first attempt ended without any drama, as the Indy 500 was delayed until Monday due to weather. Gordon still started both races but was forced out of the Indy 500 by an engine fire.

In 2000, Gordon couldn't start the Coca-Cola 600 on time due to rain in Indianapolis and replaced his backup driver mid-race. While he did complete a portion of the race, it didn't go down as a start for Gordon.

Gordon made three consecutive attempts in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Gordon finished both races in 2002, but he fell two laps behind at the end of the 2002 Coca-Cola 600 due in part to cramping and could only make up one lap to come painfully close to achieving his goal. 

Mechanical issues forced Gordon out of the Indy 500 early in 2003, and he left the Indy 500 part of the way through in 2004 during an extended rain delay.

Tony Stewart (1999)

Stewart finished both races in his first attempt but only completed 196 of 200 miles at the Indy 500, making it the most successful attempt yet but not quite the full 1,100 miles he wanted. In 2001, Stewart would finish the job.

Kurt Busch (2014)

Kurt Busch performed well at the Indy 500 and completed all 200 laps without issue, but engine failure forced him out of the Coca-Cola 600 after 271 of 400 laps to prevent him from joining Stewart with a successful double attempt.

Kyle Larson (2025)

After attempting the double in 2024 but failing to start the Coca-Cola 600 due to weather, Larson was able to start both races in 2025 but missed out on fully completing the double when a crash sent him out of the Indy 500 after 91 laps. Had Larson not crashed out of the race, rain delays likely would have prevented him from finishing and getting to Charlotte in time to start the Coca-Cola 600.