The Fight to Return to the Brickyard: Why Mike Shank Wants Legge Back in the 500
There is no feeling in motorsport quite like May in Indianapolis. For a driver, being on the grid for the Indianapolis 500 is the pinnacle. Missing out when you know you have the talent to be there is a specific kind of heartbreak. Katherine Legge knows this feeling all too well.
While the veteran racer won’t be strapping into an open-wheel machine for the 109th running of the greatest spectacle in racing, her story at the Speedway is far from over. Legge, who has four Indy 500 starts under her belt, faced the harsh reality of modern motorsport economics this season.
Despite having an engine deal lined up, the lack of a competitive chassis forced a change in plans. However, rather than stepping back, Legge is pivoting, reallocating her resources to NASCAR while keeping her eyes firmly fixed on a 2026 return to Indy, a move heavily encouraged by those who know the sport best.
Mike Shank’s Emotional Plea To Keep Pushing
The racing paddock can be a cutthroat place, but it is also a tight-knit community. This was evident during a recent episode of Legge’s Throttle Therapy podcast, where she hosted Meyer Shank Racing co-owner Mike Shank. The conversation turned nostalgic as they discussed MSR’s historic 2021 Indy 500 victory with Helio Castroneves.
Caught up in the emotion of what that race means to a career and a life, Shank offered unreserved advice to Legge regarding her future at the Brickyard.”I can encourage you to try to not stop doing the Indy 500, Katherine, just because the effect it has on your life, it’s just incredible,” Shank told her.
Coming from a team owner who has reached the summit, the message was clear: the struggle to get on the grid is worth the payoff. Shank sympathized with the logistical nightmare she faced this year, acknowledging the scarcity of quality equipment. “I understand your plight, your problem, I really do,” Shank admitted. “And yeah, it’s tough. There is a real problem with what’s available, period.”
The Logistic Battle: Engines Without Cars
For fans watching on TV, the politics of securing a ride are often invisible. Legge revealed the frustrating details of her failed 2025 bid, noting that Honda had initially allocated an engine to her that was intended for Chip Ganassi Racing. In a sport where engine leases are gold dust, this was a massive hurdle cleared.
The deal breaker was the chassis. Without a competitive tub to put that Honda engine in, the effort would have been futile. Legge described the situation as “devastating,” a sentiment any racer who has been sidelined by logistics rather than lack of speed can understand. It highlights the current equipment shortage in the IndyCar paddock, where the barrier to entry for one-off efforts is becoming increasingly steep.
Proving Versatility In The NASCAR Garage
While the open-wheel door closed temporarily, the stock car garage opened. Legge has taken her funding and focus to the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series, a transition that has tested her resolve. Her 2025 NASCAR campaign was a trial by fire. Her Cup Series debut at Phoenix was rocky, marred by a collision with Daniel Suarez and subsequent spin-outs.
The aftermath was ugly. Legge faced severe online harassment, including death threats, a dark reality for modern athletes. Yet, her response was to get back in the car and drive. She silenced many critics at the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Driving a heavy stock car around the track she knows so well, she brought home a P17 finish.
That result didn’t just rebuild confidence. It earned her more respect. Cup Series regular Chase Briscoe was among those who praised her performance, validating that she has the hands to wrestle a stock car at speed.
Sponsors and the 2026 “Double” Dream
Perhaps the most promising news for Legge’s fans is the commercial stability she has secured. Racing runs on money, and Legge has confirmed that e.l.f. Cosmetics, the sponsor that backed her 2024 Indy 500 effort, is committed to supporting her again next year. This financial backing is the critical piece of the puzzle for a 2026 return.
Legge isn’t just looking to get back to Indy. She wants to make history. She has expressed interest in attempting a unique “double” at Phoenix Raceway in March 2026, competing in both the IndyCar and NASCAR Cup Series races on the same weekend.
“I would love the opportunity to see where I end up,” Legge told RACER. “There’s no race that evokes the same emotion as Indy… As long as you’re in with a shot and you feel like you’ve still got it, and I feel like I’ve still got it, I want to race again at Indy.”
Negotiations Are Already Underway
Negotiations are already underway. As of November, Legge indicated she was in talks with teams in both disciplines. If the cards fall right, 2026 could see one of the most versatile drivers in the paddock pulling double duty, proving that the road to the Indianapolis 500 isn’t always a straight line.
