KATHERINE LEGGE Eyes 2026 Indy 500 Return While Juggling NASCAR Commitments

October 14, 2025

• KATHERINE LEGGE is working to secure rides in both IndyCar and NASCAR for 2026, with talks underway for an Indy 500 return after being shut out of this year’s 33-car field despite having sponsorship from e.l.f. Cosmetics locked down. The veteran driver made the strategic pivot to NASCAR this season when competitive IndyCar options dried up, but she’s determined to “tie all the worlds together” and prove what she’s capable of on racing’s biggest stages.
• The 45-year-old didn’t mince words about IndyCar missing the mark by not having any women in the 2025 Indy 500 field, calling it a tremendous loss for the series. LEGGE emphasized this isn’t just about her individual career but about representation and unity – “It’s about us,” she said on her podcast, predicting fans would hold the series accountable for the absence. Her criticism carries weight given her track record of bringing innovative fan experiences, like e.l.f. Cosmetics’ immersive activation that revolutionized engagement at the speedway.
• After wrapping her 2025 NASCAR schedule with Live Fast Motorsports in August, LEGGE made a strategic one-off return at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October, finishing P31 and keeping her options open. With four previous Indy 500 starts (best finish P22 in 2012 with Dragon Racing) and successful stints with top teams like Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Dale Coyne Racing, she’s proven she belongs on racing’s biggest stage – now it’s about finding the right competitive package to showcase her full potential.

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