KATHERINE LEGGE Makes Chili Bowl Debut While Most IndyCar Stars Skip Challenge

January 13, 2026

• KATHERINE LEGGE, a four-time Indy 500 starter, made her Chili Bowl debut last year as Santino Ferrucci’s teammate at Abacus Racing, breaking ground as one of the few current IndyCar veterans willing to step outside their comfort zone into dirt midget racing.
• Tony Stewart called out the IndyCar field for their reluctance to attempt the Chili Bowl, praising only Ferrucci for having “the balls” or passion to take on the challenge, while acknowledging that most drivers at IndyCar’s level have the talent but lack the courage to risk it.
• The shift toward specialized racing paths means fewer crossover opportunities for drivers like LEGGE, who represent the rare breed willing to test themselves across disciplines, contrasting with NASCAR’s stronger Chili Bowl representation led by champions like Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson.

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