While having three NASCAR Cup Series and an IndyCar title is not a rare feat in global Motorsports, having 1100 miles run on a single day is. And it is owned by Tony Stewart. Although the record has stood for two and a half decades, no other driver has achieved it. However, Katherine Legge has other ideas.

Legge, who is contracted to run Indy 500 and NASCAR Cup Series races this year, recently expressed interest in attempting The Double, i.e., completing 500 miles of the Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 600 miles of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the same day.

When asked about the possibility at Watkins Glen, where Katherine Legge was present to compete in the Cup race, she replied, "Yes. I think it would be awesome, right? I think a lot of people have mentioned that, and I think it would definitely be something that e.l.f (Legge's main sponsor) would be willing to do because they want to do all the groundbreaking, glass ceiling-breaking, really cool stuff. So, I hope that I get that opportunity one day down the road.”

It was in 2001 that Tony Stewart did the unthinkable. He completed 500 miles of racing at the Indy 500, and then boarded a chartered flight to Charlotte to race 600 miles in the Coca-Cola 600.

Not only did he finish both races, but he also secured impressive results in both. He finished sixth in the premier IndyCar race and on the podium in the NASCAR crown jewel.

Tony Stewart stands alone where Katherine Legge desires to tread

Besides Tony Stewart, five other drivers have attempted The Double, starting with John Andretti in 1994. The other names include Robby Gordon (five times), Davy Jones (1995), Kurt Busch (2014), and Kyle Larson (twice).

Only one has completed it - Tony Stewart. Back in 2015, Stewart took a trip down memory lane to share his thoughts on his 2001 achievement. Speaking about how he felt once the challenge was complete, the NASCAR Hall of Famer told ESPN:

"To see those dual checkered flags come out and see them start waving, it was like the weight of the world was off your shoulders."

Despite spinning off on Lap 3 of the NASCAR race, Tony Stewart went on to finish the race, avoiding a wreck or a poor finish.

In the list of those who have attempted the feat, Katherine Legge would lie among those with lesser experience. It would be interesting to see if the 45-year-old racing veteran could create such an opportunity and pull it off.

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Written by

Sabyasachi Biswas

Edited by

Yask Kotak