Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Carb Day

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval Speedway, Indiana Carb Day Practice May 22, 2026
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (May 22, 2026) – Josef Newgarden in the No. 2 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet was the quickest driver on Carb Day, leading the penultimate and final practice in preparation for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Newgarden, the 2023 and 2024 winner of the “Greatest Spectacle In Racing,” turned a lap of 228.342mph, leading an all-Team Chevy top four. 
“It was OK,” said Newgarden coyly. “It was all right. But today’s Friday and we’ve got to be good on Sunday. I’m just ready to get to Sunday. Sunday is what’s going to better with the Shell car. Team Chevy has done a great job for us this month. I’m excited to go racing.” 
Christian Rasmussen, in the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet, David Malukas in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, and Conor Daly, in the No. 23 DRR KINGSPAN Chevrolet, followed Newgarden in the final tune-up for Sunday’s race. 
Alexander Rossi, the middle of the front row starter and highest starting Team Chevy driver, completed 48 laps in a backup No. 20 Java House Chevrolet, after significant contact on Monday, completed 48 laps. 
I feel amazing. I just want to talk about the INDYCAR doctors and everyone at IU Health and what they’ve accomplished in order to get us back to this process of getting in the car today, is pretty exceptional. It took a huge amount of things to go correctly and a great group of people that I’m incredibly thankful for. The No. 20 car crew, for what they did to bring a car back to the speedway that feels just as good as the car we qualified. We had a very specific plan today to get through, just to make sure that everything we thought would happen would happen, and it all did. We’re in a really good spot for Sunday. All three ECR Chevys seem incredibly strong. It’s a testament to the organization and the resolve that everyone has. 
Indianapolis 500 Carb Day Practice Results
NTT INDYCAR SERIES News ConferenceFriday, May 22, 2026Indianapolis, Indiana, USAJosef NewgardenPress Conference
THE MODERATOR: Along that theme, Josef, P1 and 228.3, you start 23rd. Fastest Monday, fastest today.
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Is there any cash for that?.
THE MODERATOR: The funny thing is everyone sitting here has agreed to put in a hundred bucks.
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Wow, that’s so generous. No? I was going to say, it should be the other way around. Everyone here gets a hundred dollars. How cool would that be?
THE MODERATOR: How’s the car?
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Feels like a hundred bucks.
THE MODERATOR: Back in the day.
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: It means nothing at the end of the day. No money.THE MODERATOR: Both of you are in the Pit Stop Challenge, I think?.JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Is that going to happen?
THE MODERATOR: Weather permitting..JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Good idea.
Q.  Josef, you seemed to end your day pretty early. Is it a case of you’re happy with the car and don’t want to wreck it between now and Sunday? What were you really looking at for the race?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: I think it’s just a mileage thing. We don’t want to overdo a day like today. It should just be a validation day. We’ve been out here a lot. Yeah, just ready to get to Sunday, I think, at this point, like everybody.
Q.  Josef, you were pretty conservative on the start last year, starting 32nd. You probably won’t be able to do that starting 22nd this year. Describe your mindset going into the start of the race on Sunday.JOSEF NEWGARDEN: It’ll be different. Yeah, you can do that. You’re in the last row. I just hang out at turn 4 while they get to turn 1. I think that’s a wise thing to do. You can’t do that sitting where we’re at, 23rd. We’re right in the middle of everything. So you have to go. We’ve got to be racing and be heads up.
It’s chaotic on this style of racing that we have now at Indy. I feel like people are — everyone is very confident in the way they drive and ambitious.
KYLE KIRKWOOD: You could see it today.JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Yeah, you could see it today for sure. It was the first day of the month for sure where everyone was like it’s race day.
You’ve got to be heads up and trying to move forward at all points and never sitting back and hope for the best.
Q.  Josef, you seem somewhat confident that you weren’t going to be great in qualifying. I’m curious, were you confident that you’d be this good today?
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: I don’t know that we were that great today. I put up a fast lap. That’s really all it is. It’s always there is positivity to that in that when the car can do that lap, that is a good thing, but that’s not the whole story when it comes to our race car.
I think we’ve been relatively solid all month, but you get these fluctuations every single day with temperature and wind, and you take the car apart, you put it back together, it’s never quite the same thing every time you go out.The one day that’s going to matter is in 48 hours. That’s what it boils down to. I think our race car has been in a really good spot for the most part, and even through all the variability that I just spoke about. We’ve just got to make sure it’s right as Sunday comes around.

Q.  Josef, I’d like to get your thoughts on Kyle as well. I know you’ve crossed paths with him over the years. What did you think of the news and his career and the legacy that he leaves?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: What do you say? We’re not — gosh, I hate to be a person making a public comment about it, it’s just — because it’s an incredibly difficult thing. How can you not be in shock over the situation? I just heard about this yesterday, and then the next thing — you hear the news about it. I didn’t even know about it till yesterday, and the next news you hear is that he’s not with us anymore.
I think it just puts into perspective how fragile life is. You just don’t know. Makes me think of his kids, to be honest with you. Gosh, I feel terrible about — I have two sons now. That’s the thing that breaks my heart for sure.
The racing deal, he’d probably tell you that too. He was an extreme racer, one of the best you’d ever see on track, and I’m just speaking about his skill set. I’m sure that the toughest part about it is just what he leaves behind with his kids and what they have to go through.
Yeah, incredibly sad for everybody. I didn’t even know Kyle very well. I just, when I look at from afar, how can it not break your heart when you think about his kids?
Q.  (No microphone)?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Yeah, I knew Kyle within motorsport, but it’s not like we were close friends or anything. I always love watching people that have just a huge skill set and tenacity for a craft. When you look at Kyle, Kyle was just one of those unique individuals that was phenomenal at what he did. I just admire that about people, I really do.
I’ve always been curious about what makes that work. I don’t think every situation is the same. He had his own unique skill sets that worked for him, but he was by far one of the best, there’s no doubt.
Like I said, just a sad day for motorsport that lost one of the best, but my empathy, my feelings are toward his family for sure. I hope their community can rally around the kids. That’s what’s going to matter at the end of the day.
Q.  Yesterday during Media Day, we kind of talked a lot about false confidence for what these guys have for Monday — or for Sunday, I mean. Hopefully that’s not a bad omen, saying Monday. As you all look at what happened in practice today, how many cars legitimately look like they’re going to be real challengers on Sunday, and which ones kind of look like they’re pretenders?
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: I think a lot of people look really good this year, which also invites what Kyle’s talking about. I just think everyone just looks like they’re ready to race and figure out how do they win the last lap? That’s the kind of style that I was seeing from everybody, just as he echoed.Yeah, I think weather plays a big part. Today is an easy day. Everyone looks good today. Everyone feels good today, in some respects. We’ll see what Sunday actually brings.
Q.  Supposed to be similar conditions.JOSEF NEWGARDEN: It’s quite a bit warmer.
NTT INDYCAR SERIES News ConferenceFriday, May 22, 2026Indianapolis, Indiana, USAKatherine LeggePress Conference
THE MODERATOR: As mentioned, great to have Katherine Legge with us, driver of the No. 11 e.l.f. Cosmetics Chevrolet for HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing, starts 26th on Sunday, fifth Indianapolis 500 for her. Final practice. Katherine, what did you think?
KATHERINE LEGGE: Have I got time to think?
THE MODERATOR: No, you don’t. It’s the month of May.
KATHERINE LEGGE: I think this week has been getting everything bad luck-wise out of the way early. We had a disaster traveling back from New York City. It took us like a day and a half. Then this morning’s practice was — if it could have gone wrong, it did go wrong.Hopefully now we know, and we’re in the clear travel-wise, car-wise, all the things. Get it out of the way today.
THE MODERATOR: Absolutely. Open it up for questions for Katherine.
Q.  Katherine, I’ll just ask about Kyle Busch. Wanted to know just how much you maybe got to know him over the last couple years you’ve been doing NASCAR?KATHERINE LEGGE: I am devastated for Sam and the kids. You know, he and Samantha were two of the nicest drivers to me, welcoming me to the series. A lot of the drivers don’t even say hi, but they kind of — they took the time to get to know me and give me some help and advice, and I would class them as friends now.
So it’s desperately sad. It’s also one of those things where you try not to think about it or let it in because you’ve got so much to do, you can’t let yourself get emotional. But honestly, racing has lost one of the greatest drivers, in my opinion, of all time. If you look back at the history and just — you know, he was a legend. I think there’s a lot of shock regarding it because he was so young and so healthy.
It’s almost unbelievable, right? Like it just bangs home the fact that life is so unfair.
Q.  Asking about Sunday, weather seems up in the air at both tracks you’re supposed to race at. How much is that kind of consuming your mind over the next 48 hours about how everything could be shifted at both places?KATHERINE LEGGE: You know what, I look at it, and I’m like: Don’t look. Then don’t go down that rabbit hole. It’s changing all the time. So I’m trying to be like what will be will be and be relaxed about it. But it doesn’t look great at the moment, I have to say.
I don’t know what happens then, like it’s out of our control. If it’s bad at both places, do both get delayed and then the same amount? Does it get moved to Monday? Does it still count as doing the double if you do one race on Sunday and one race on Monday?
There’s so many things that you have to just like put to the side and go it doesn’t matter. It will be what it will be. I’ll do my best with whatever situation is thrown at us, a bit like the last couple of days trying to get back from New York.
Q.  Obviously with your travel woes, with the forecast, all the stuff you’re saying, you’re trying to filter a lot out. What do you let in as you’re trying to process the day that you have ahead of you?KATHERINE LEGGE: That’s a good question. I don’t know, I just keep telling myself, don’t be grumpy, don’t get grumpy. Everybody’s working incredibly hard, and I have to remember how lucky I am and how grateful I am to be here, because I am.
So when all of these things keep coming in, you have to remember the positives, which is like I’m here. Like okay, we were stuck on the runway for 2 1/2 hours and we had a sinkhole, and we had all these things, but hey, I’m still going back to Indy to drive the Indy 500, right?
So you have to keep everything in, I guess, perspective. It’s weird, though, because when you’re trying to be numb to that, you’re also numb to kind of the positives in what you let in. So you try not to be on the roller coaster of, yeah, it’s awesome, and then, oh, no, the clutch isn’t working or whatever it may be. Try to be kind of level-headed about it all and let it run off you like water off a duck’s back.
It’s not easy. It’s come with years of practice.
Q.  Guys like Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch, who have done this before, have talked about what went into their preparation for it. Like Tony Stewart collapsed on pit road when he — after the 600.KATHERINE LEGGE: Did he? Don’t tell me that.
Q.  Yeah, he was fine. He was fine.THE MODERATOR: We need good vibes here for Katherine.
Q.  Kurt Busch talked about getting IV fluids in between the 500 and 600. What’s gone into your preparation for this race?KATHERINE LEGGE: I’ve been drinking a lot of this new sports drink called Rip It, and I’m hoping it will get me through. In all reality, nothing different. I have spoken to a few people about what I should be hydrating with in regards to like electrolytes and IVs and things like that. So I’m going to do an IV when I finish the 500 in the plane on the way to the 600. I might need one after the 600. I don’t know, I hope I don’t collapse.
My biggest concern is how to get enough calories because it’s probably 2,500 calories just doing Indy, maybe more, and it’s another 3,000 calories plus in Charlotte. Which is a lot of energy that you’re expending that you need to put back in. So I have Jim Leo who’s given me a bunch of gels and bars and stuff like that and things I can eat.
I have to force myself to eat on the plane because once you get out of a race car after 500 miles, you don’t want to eat. You feel sick. It’s hot. It’s brutal. You don’t want to mess your stomach up. I’m thinking can I eat in the car during the 500? Someone told me that Tony did, but then he got protein bar all over his gloves, so that didn’t work out so well for him.So we were thinking maybe baby food. When I did Ironman a years ago, I did sweet potato mashed up in a bag, which is almost like baby food. So something that doesn’t mess your stomach up. There’s been a lot of thought into the actual day, and I’ve been trying things throughout the week.
With regard to fitness, I’ve not done much the last couple of weeks because we’ve been so busy. So I’m hoping that me training year-round is going to carry me through.
Q.  One more. Now for the 500, you’ve had multiple days of multiple hours of practice, but with the 600 tomorrow, you’re only going to have 25 minutes of practice.KATHERINE LEGGE: Maybe.
Q.  And that’s assuming the weather cooperates.KATHERINE LEGGE: Maybe, yeah.
Q.  What challenge does that present you?KATHERINE LEGGE: I am praying to all of the weather gods at the moment that we get practice. I desperately need practice in the Cup car. It’s going to be my second mile and a half, I think, and maybe my fifth or sixth Cup start. I do not want to turn into turn one after the green without having driven Charlotte in a car I don’t know that well.
So there is a concern that it will rain tomorrow, and if practice and qualifying gets rained out, I’ve been frantically asking everybody, okay, what happens then? Can we run practice on Sunday? It would be the O’Reilly race on Sunday instead. So they said no.
Yeah, it’s less than ideal. Obviously that doesn’t fill me with warm and fuzzies, but again, it is what it is. We committed to doing this thing, and we’re not going to not do it because I don’t feel ready. I mean, it’s too late for that.
Q.  Obviously a lot of people are going to be spending the next couple of days preparing for the race, whether it’s strategy or what they do at the start, et cetera. As you said, you’ve got limited time for NASCAR and have to focus on that. How do you balance preparing for this race the last couple of days but also focus on what you’re doing for Charlotte?KATHERINE LEGGE: It’s been quite a bit hectic with all the travel woes, honestly. I wanted to sit down and watch last year’s 600 and last year’s 500 and switch between the two and get my head in the game and spend time with my engineers. I haven’t had that luxury, so it feels like we’re on our back foot a little bit.
In all honesty, it’s not that much to do in Charlotte. I would have loved the opportunity to go over there and drive the sim again in preparation. Unfortunately, again, with travel and everything else, that didn’t happen. So we will do our best, and I don’t know when I’m going to get the chance now because we’ve got a pretty packed schedule.I’ll figure it out. It’s either that or sleeping. It’s preparation or sleep. So there’s got to be a compromise in there somewhere.
THE MODERATOR: Hopefully it’s smooth sailing from here on out for you. Thanks for coming out. Good luck this weekend.
After the pit stop competition, hopefully there is one, weather permitting, we’ll bring out the champion team. That will be the next opportunity news conference-wise here a little bit later this afternoon.
Tune-In GuideSunday, May 24110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbrdige Pre-Race Show – 10am (ET)/9am (CT)/8am (MT)/7am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbrdige – 12:30pm (ET)/11:30am (CT)/10:30am (MT)/9:30am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway ovalSpeedway, IndianaCarb Day PracticeMay 22, 2026
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (May 22, 2026) – Josef Newgarden in the No. 2 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet was the quickest driver on Carb Day, leading the penultimate and final practice in preparation for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Newgarden, the 2023 and 2024 winner of the “Greatest Spectacle In Racing,” turned a lap of 228.342mph, leading an all-Team Chevy top four. 
“It was OK,” said Newgarden coyly. “It was all right. But today’s Friday and we’ve got to be good on Sunday. I’m just ready to get to Sunday. Sunday is what’s going to better with the Shell car. Team Chevy has done a great job for us this month. I’m excited to go racing.” 
Christian Rasmussen, in the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet, David Malukas in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, and Conor Daly, in the No. 23 DRR KINGSPAN Chevrolet, followed Newgarden in the final tune-up for Sunday’s race. 
Alexander Rossi, the middle of the front row starter and highest starting Team Chevy driver, completed 48 laps in a backup No. 20 Java House Chevrolet, after significant contact on Monday, completed 48 laps. 
I feel amazing. I just want to talk about the INDYCAR doctors and everyone at IU Health and what they’ve accomplished in order to get us back to this process of getting in the car today, is pretty exceptional. It took a huge amount of things to go correctly and a great group of people that I’m incredibly thankful for. The No. 20 car crew, for what they did to bring a car back to the speedway that feels just as good as the car we qualified. We had a very specific plan today to get through, just to make sure that everything we thought would happen would happen, and it all did. We’re in a really good spot for Sunday. All three ECR Chevys seem incredibly strong. It’s a testament to the organization and the resolve that everyone has. 
Indianapolis 500 Carb Day Practice Results
NTT INDYCAR SERIES News ConferenceFriday, May 22, 2026Indianapolis, Indiana, USAJosef NewgardenPress Conference
THE MODERATOR: Along that theme, Josef, P1 and 228.3, you start 23rd. Fastest Monday, fastest today.
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Is there any cash for that?.
THE MODERATOR: The funny thing is everyone sitting here has agreed to put in a hundred bucks.
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Wow, that’s so generous. No? I was going to say, it should be the other way around. Everyone here gets a hundred dollars. How cool would that be?
THE MODERATOR: How’s the car?
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Feels like a hundred bucks.
THE MODERATOR: Back in the day.
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: It means nothing at the end of the day. No money.THE MODERATOR: Both of you are in the Pit Stop Challenge, I think?.JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Is that going to happen?
THE MODERATOR: Weather permitting..JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Good idea.
Q.  Josef, you seemed to end your day pretty early. Is it a case of you’re happy with the car and don’t want to wreck it between now and Sunday? What were you really looking at for the race?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: I think it’s just a mileage thing. We don’t want to overdo a day like today. It should just be a validation day. We’ve been out here a lot. Yeah, just ready to get to Sunday, I think, at this point, like everybody.
Q.  Josef, you were pretty conservative on the start last year, starting 32nd. You probably won’t be able to do that starting 22nd this year. Describe your mindset going into the start of the race on Sunday.JOSEF NEWGARDEN: It’ll be different. Yeah, you can do that. You’re in the last row. I just hang out at turn 4 while they get to turn 1. I think that’s a wise thing to do. You can’t do that sitting where we’re at, 23rd. We’re right in the middle of everything. So you have to go. We’ve got to be racing and be heads up.
It’s chaotic on this style of racing that we have now at Indy. I feel like people are — everyone is very confident in the way they drive and ambitious.
KYLE KIRKWOOD: You could see it today.JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Yeah, you could see it today for sure. It was the first day of the month for sure where everyone was like it’s race day.
You’ve got to be heads up and trying to move forward at all points and never sitting back and hope for the best.
Q.  Josef, you seem somewhat confident that you weren’t going to be great in qualifying. I’m curious, were you confident that you’d be this good today?
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: I don’t know that we were that great today. I put up a fast lap. That’s really all it is. It’s always there is positivity to that in that when the car can do that lap, that is a good thing, but that’s not the whole story when it comes to our race car.
I think we’ve been relatively solid all month, but you get these fluctuations every single day with temperature and wind, and you take the car apart, you put it back together, it’s never quite the same thing every time you go out.The one day that’s going to matter is in 48 hours. That’s what it boils down to. I think our race car has been in a really good spot for the most part, and even through all the variability that I just spoke about. We’ve just got to make sure it’s right as Sunday comes around.

Q.  Josef, I’d like to get your thoughts on Kyle as well. I know you’ve crossed paths with him over the years. What did you think of the news and his career and the legacy that he leaves?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: What do you say? We’re not — gosh, I hate to be a person making a public comment about it, it’s just — because it’s an incredibly difficult thing. How can you not be in shock over the situation? I just heard about this yesterday, and then the next thing — you hear the news about it. I didn’t even know about it till yesterday, and the next news you hear is that he’s not with us anymore.
I think it just puts into perspective how fragile life is. You just don’t know. Makes me think of his kids, to be honest with you. Gosh, I feel terrible about — I have two sons now. That’s the thing that breaks my heart for sure.
The racing deal, he’d probably tell you that too. He was an extreme racer, one of the best you’d ever see on track, and I’m just speaking about his skill set. I’m sure that the toughest part about it is just what he leaves behind with his kids and what they have to go through.
Yeah, incredibly sad for everybody. I didn’t even know Kyle very well. I just, when I look at from afar, how can it not break your heart when you think about his kids?
Q.  (No microphone)?JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Yeah, I knew Kyle within motorsport, but it’s not like we were close friends or anything. I always love watching people that have just a huge skill set and tenacity for a craft. When you look at Kyle, Kyle was just one of those unique individuals that was phenomenal at what he did. I just admire that about people, I really do.
I’ve always been curious about what makes that work. I don’t think every situation is the same. He had his own unique skill sets that worked for him, but he was by far one of the best, there’s no doubt.
Like I said, just a sad day for motorsport that lost one of the best, but my empathy, my feelings are toward his family for sure. I hope their community can rally around the kids. That’s what’s going to matter at the end of the day.
Q.  Yesterday during Media Day, we kind of talked a lot about false confidence for what these guys have for Monday — or for Sunday, I mean. Hopefully that’s not a bad omen, saying Monday. As you all look at what happened in practice today, how many cars legitimately look like they’re going to be real challengers on Sunday, and which ones kind of look like they’re pretenders?
JOSEF NEWGARDEN: I think a lot of people look really good this year, which also invites what Kyle’s talking about. I just think everyone just looks like they’re ready to race and figure out how do they win the last lap? That’s the kind of style that I was seeing from everybody, just as he echoed.Yeah, I think weather plays a big part. Today is an easy day. Everyone looks good today. Everyone feels good today, in some respects. We’ll see what Sunday actually brings.
Q.  Supposed to be similar conditions.JOSEF NEWGARDEN: It’s quite a bit warmer.
NTT INDYCAR SERIES News ConferenceFriday, May 22, 2026Indianapolis, Indiana, USAKatherine LeggePress Conference
THE MODERATOR: As mentioned, great to have Katherine Legge with us, driver of the No. 11 e.l.f. Cosmetics Chevrolet for HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing, starts 26th on Sunday, fifth Indianapolis 500 for her. Final practice. Katherine, what did you think?
KATHERINE LEGGE: Have I got time to think?
THE MODERATOR: No, you don’t. It’s the month of May.
KATHERINE LEGGE: I think this week has been getting everything bad luck-wise out of the way early. We had a disaster traveling back from New York City. It took us like a day and a half. Then this morning’s practice was — if it could have gone wrong, it did go wrong.Hopefully now we know, and we’re in the clear travel-wise, car-wise, all the things. Get it out of the way today.
THE MODERATOR: Absolutely. Open it up for questions for Katherine.
Q.  Katherine, I’ll just ask about Kyle Busch. Wanted to know just how much you maybe got to know him over the last couple years you’ve been doing NASCAR?KATHERINE LEGGE: I am devastated for Sam and the kids. You know, he and Samantha were two of the nicest drivers to me, welcoming me to the series. A lot of the drivers don’t even say hi, but they kind of — they took the time to get to know me and give me some help and advice, and I would class them as friends now.
So it’s desperately sad. It’s also one of those things where you try not to think about it or let it in because you’ve got so much to do, you can’t let yourself get emotional. But honestly, racing has lost one of the greatest drivers, in my opinion, of all time. If you look back at the history and just — you know, he was a legend. I think there’s a lot of shock regarding it because he was so young and so healthy.
It’s almost unbelievable, right? Like it just bangs home the fact that life is so unfair.
Q.  Asking about Sunday, weather seems up in the air at both tracks you’re supposed to race at. How much is that kind of consuming your mind over the next 48 hours about how everything could be shifted at both places?KATHERINE LEGGE: You know what, I look at it, and I’m like: Don’t look. Then don’t go down that rabbit hole. It’s changing all the time. So I’m trying to be like what will be will be and be relaxed about it. But it doesn’t look great at the moment, I have to say.
I don’t know what happens then, like it’s out of our control. If it’s bad at both places, do both get delayed and then the same amount? Does it get moved to Monday? Does it still count as doing the double if you do one race on Sunday and one race on Monday?
There’s so many things that you have to just like put to the side and go it doesn’t matter. It will be what it will be. I’ll do my best with whatever situation is thrown at us, a bit like the last couple of days trying to get back from New York.
Q.  Obviously with your travel woes, with the forecast, all the stuff you’re saying, you’re trying to filter a lot out. What do you let in as you’re trying to process the day that you have ahead of you?KATHERINE LEGGE: That’s a good question. I don’t know, I just keep telling myself, don’t be grumpy, don’t get grumpy. Everybody’s working incredibly hard, and I have to remember how lucky I am and how grateful I am to be here, because I am.
So when all of these things keep coming in, you have to remember the positives, which is like I’m here. Like okay, we were stuck on the runway for 2 1/2 hours and we had a sinkhole, and we had all these things, but hey, I’m still going back to Indy to drive the Indy 500, right?
So you have to keep everything in, I guess, perspective. It’s weird, though, because when you’re trying to be numb to that, you’re also numb to kind of the positives in what you let in. So you try not to be on the roller coaster of, yeah, it’s awesome, and then, oh, no, the clutch isn’t working or whatever it may be. Try to be kind of level-headed about it all and let it run off you like water off a duck’s back.
It’s not easy. It’s come with years of practice.
Q.  Guys like Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch, who have done this before, have talked about what went into their preparation for it. Like Tony Stewart collapsed on pit road when he — after the 600.KATHERINE LEGGE: Did he? Don’t tell me that.
Q.  Yeah, he was fine. He was fine.THE MODERATOR: We need good vibes here for Katherine.
Q.  Kurt Busch talked about getting IV fluids in between the 500 and 600. What’s gone into your preparation for this race?KATHERINE LEGGE: I’ve been drinking a lot of this new sports drink called Rip It, and I’m hoping it will get me through. In all reality, nothing different. I have spoken to a few people about what I should be hydrating with in regards to like electrolytes and IVs and things like that. So I’m going to do an IV when I finish the 500 in the plane on the way to the 600. I might need one after the 600. I don’t know, I hope I don’t collapse.
My biggest concern is how to get enough calories because it’s probably 2,500 calories just doing Indy, maybe more, and it’s another 3,000 calories plus in Charlotte. Which is a lot of energy that you’re expending that you need to put back in. So I have Jim Leo who’s given me a bunch of gels and bars and stuff like that and things I can eat.
I have to force myself to eat on the plane because once you get out of a race car after 500 miles, you don’t want to eat. You feel sick. It’s hot. It’s brutal. You don’t want to mess your stomach up. I’m thinking can I eat in the car during the 500? Someone told me that Tony did, but then he got protein bar all over his gloves, so that didn’t work out so well for him.So we were thinking maybe baby food. When I did Ironman a years ago, I did sweet potato mashed up in a bag, which is almost like baby food. So something that doesn’t mess your stomach up. There’s been a lot of thought into the actual day, and I’ve been trying things throughout the week.
With regard to fitness, I’ve not done much the last couple of weeks because we’ve been so busy. So I’m hoping that me training year-round is going to carry me through.
Q.  One more. Now for the 500, you’ve had multiple days of multiple hours of practice, but with the 600 tomorrow, you’re only going to have 25 minutes of practice.KATHERINE LEGGE: Maybe.
Q.  And that’s assuming the weather cooperates.KATHERINE LEGGE: Maybe, yeah.
Q.  What challenge does that present you?KATHERINE LEGGE: I am praying to all of the weather gods at the moment that we get practice. I desperately need practice in the Cup car. It’s going to be my second mile and a half, I think, and maybe my fifth or sixth Cup start. I do not want to turn into turn one after the green without having driven Charlotte in a car I don’t know that well.
So there is a concern that it will rain tomorrow, and if practice and qualifying gets rained out, I’ve been frantically asking everybody, okay, what happens then? Can we run practice on Sunday? It would be the O’Reilly race on Sunday instead. So they said no.
Yeah, it’s less than ideal. Obviously that doesn’t fill me with warm and fuzzies, but again, it is what it is. We committed to doing this thing, and we’re not going to not do it because I don’t feel ready. I mean, it’s too late for that.
Q.  Obviously a lot of people are going to be spending the next couple of days preparing for the race, whether it’s strategy or what they do at the start, et cetera. As you said, you’ve got limited time for NASCAR and have to focus on that. How do you balance preparing for this race the last couple of days but also focus on what you’re doing for Charlotte?KATHERINE LEGGE: It’s been quite a bit hectic with all the travel woes, honestly. I wanted to sit down and watch last year’s 600 and last year’s 500 and switch between the two and get my head in the game and spend time with my engineers. I haven’t had that luxury, so it feels like we’re on our back foot a little bit.
In all honesty, it’s not that much to do in Charlotte. I would have loved the opportunity to go over there and drive the sim again in preparation. Unfortunately, again, with travel and everything else, that didn’t happen. So we will do our best, and I don’t know when I’m going to get the chance now because we’ve got a pretty packed schedule.I’ll figure it out. It’s either that or sleeping. It’s preparation or sleep. So there’s got to be a compromise in there somewhere.
THE MODERATOR: Hopefully it’s smooth sailing from here on out for you. Thanks for coming out. Good luck this weekend.
After the pit stop competition, hopefully there is one, weather permitting, we’ll bring out the champion team. That will be the next opportunity news conference-wise here a little bit later this afternoon.
Tune-In GuideSunday, May 24110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbrdige Pre-Race Show – 10am (ET)/9am (CT)/8am (MT)/7am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbrdige – 12:30pm (ET)/11:30am (CT)/10:30am (MT)/9:30am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
Chevrolet History at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval General Motors Wins – 18 Chevrolet Wins – 13 2024 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2023 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2019 – Simon Pagenaud – Team Penske2018 – Will Power – Team Penske2015 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2013 – Tony Kanaan – KV Racing Technology-SH Racing2002 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske1993 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Team Penske1992 – Al Unser, Jr. – Galles/Kraco1991 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1990 – Arie Luyendyk – Doug Shierson Racing1989 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Patrick Racing1988 – Rick Mears – Team Penske Oldsmobile Wins – 5  2001 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske2000 – Juan Montoya – Chip Ganassi Racing1999 – Kenny Brack – A.J. Foyt Racing1998 – Eddie Cheever, Jr. – Team Cheever1997 – Arie Luyendyk – Treadway Racing General Motors Poles – 20 Chevrolet Poles – 14 2025 – Robert Shwartzman – PREMA Racing2024 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2019 – Simon Pagenaud – Team Penske2018 – Ed Carpenter – Ed Carpenter Racing2015 – Scott Dixon – Chip Ganassi Racing2014 – Ed Carpenter – Ed Carpenter Racing2013 – Ed Carpenter – Ed Carpenter Racing2012 – Ryan Briscoe – Team Penske2002 – Bruno Junqueira – Chip Ganassi Racing1991 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1990 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Team Penske1989 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1988 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1987 – Mario Andretti – Newman Haas Racing Oldsmobile Poles – 5 2001 – Scott Sharp – Kelley Racing2000 – Greg Ray – Team Menard1999 – Arie Luyendyk – Treadway Racing1998 – Billy Boat – A.J. Foyt Racing1997 – Arie Luyendyk – Treadway Racing Buick Poles – 1 1992 – Roberto Guerrero – King Motorsports General Motors Podiums – 54 Chevrolet Podiums – 38 Chevrolet Driver Podiums – Emerson Fittipaldi (4), Helio Castroneves (3), Josef Newgarden (3), Pato O’Ward (3), Tony Kanaan (2), Arie Luyendyk (2), Rick Mears (2), Simon Pagenaud (2), Will Power (2), Al Unser Jr. (2), Michael Andretti (1), Ed Carpenter (1), Santino Ferrucci (1),Felipe Giaffone (1), Scott Goodyear (1), Ryan Hunter-Reay (1), Charlie Kimball (1), David Malukas (1), Juan Montoya (1), Carlos Munoz (1), Bob Rahal (1), Paul Tracy (1), Al Unser (1) Chevrolet Team Podiums –  Team Penske (15), Arrow McLaren (3), A.J. Foyt Racing (2), Andretti Global (2), ECR (2), Galles Racing (2), KV Racing Technology (2), Patrick Racing (2), Chip Ganassi Racing (1), Doug Shierson Racing (1), Granatelli Racing (1), Kraco Enterprises (1), Mo Nunn Racing (1), Newman Haas Racing (1), Team Green (1), Walker Racing (1) Oldsmobile – 15  Oldsmobile Driver Podiums – Buddy Lazier (2), Jeff Ward (2), Michael Andretti (1), Billy Boat (1), Kenny Brack (1), Helio Castroneves (1), Eddie Cheever, Jr. (1), Gil de Ferran (1), Scott Goodyear (1), Steve Knapp (1), Arie Luyendyk (1), Juan Montoya (1), Eliseo Salazar (1) Oldsmobile Team Podiums – A.J. Foyt (3), Hemelgarn Racing (2), Team Cheever (2), Team Penske (2), Treadway Racing (2), Chip Ganassi Racing (1), ISM Racing (1), Team Green (1), Pagan Racing (1) Buick – 1 Buick Driver Podiums – Al Unser (1) Buick Team Podiums – Team Menard (1) General Motors Laps Led – 3709 Chevrolet Laps Led – 2699 Chevrolet Driver Laps Led – Emerson Fittipaldi (348), Mario Andretti (193), Simon Pagenaud (169), Ed Carpenter (144), Will Power (140), Tony Kanaan (133), Michael Andretti (132), Rick Mears (119), Helio Castroneves (98), Pato O’Ward (96), Danny Sullivan (95), Marco Andretti (90), Scott Dixon (87), Conor Daly (82), Josef Newgarden (69), Rinus VeeKay (65), Scott McLaughlin (64), Al Unser Jr. (52), Felix Rosenqvist (47), Arie Luyendyk (37), Bob Rahal (36), Bruno Junqueira (32), Alexander Rossi (30), Al Unser (27), Juan Montoya (26), A.J. Allmendinger (23), Sting Ray Robb (23), Ryan Briscoe (15), Gil de Ferran (13), Santino Ferrucci (12), Felipe Giaffone (12), James Hinchcliffe (12), Carlos Munoz (12), Alex Barron (10), Charlie Kimball (10), Christian Rasmussen (9), Robert Shwartzman (8), Spencer Pigot (7), JR Hildebrand (6), Callum Ilott (6), Oliver Askew (4), Kevin Cogan (4), Sage Karam (4), Kyle Larson (4), Jack Harvey (3), Scott Sharp (3), Rubens Barrichello (2), David Malukas (2) Chevrolet Team Laps Led – Team Penske (1019), Newman Haas Racing (325), ECR (306), Chip Ganassi Racing (179), Arrow McLaren (168), Patrick Racing (158), Andretti Global (140), Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (85), A.J. Foyt Racing (56), Galles Racing (56), KV Racing Technology (43), Doug Shierson Racing (37), Kraco Enterprises (35), Mo Nunn Racing (35), Juncos Hollinger Racing (18), King Motorsports (15), Prema Racing (8), Blair Racing (7), Kelley Racing (4), Team Cheever (3) Oldsmobile Laps Led – 996 Oldsmobile Driver Laps Led: Juan Montoya (167), Arie Luyendyk (129), Greg Ray (116), Kenny Brack (89), Tony Stewart (78), Eddie Cheever, Jr. (76), Helio Castroneves (52), Jeff Ward (52), Robby Gordon (50), John Paul, Jr. (39), Mark Dismore (29), Gil de Ferran (27), Buddy Lazier (27), Michael Andretti (16), Robbie Buhl (16), Billy Boat (13), Jimmy Vasser (5), Buzz Calkins (4), Sam Schmidt (4), Davey Hamilton (3), Scott Goodyear (2), Robbie McGehee (2) Oldsmobile Team Laps Led : Team Menard (207), Chip Ganassi Racing (185), Treadway Racing (137), Team Cheever (125), A.J. Foyt Racing (124), Team Penske (79), Team Pelfrey (39), Kelley Racing (29), Hemelgarn Racing (27), Genoa Racing (18), Team Green (16), Bradley Racing (4), Nienhouse Motorsports (3), Pagan Racing (3) Buick Laps Led – 14 Buick Driver Laps Led: Jim Crawford (8), Al Unser (4), Scott Brayton (1), Stephane Gregoire (1) Buick Team Laps Led: King Motorsports (8), Team Menard (4), Brayton Engineering (1), Formula Project (1) Manufacturer History at the Indianapolis 500 Wins (with competition)  27 – Offenhauser (1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1968, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1955, 1954, 1953, 1952, 1951, 1950, 1949, 1948, 1947, 1941, 1937, 1935)18 – General Motors 13 – Chevrolet (2024, 2023, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2013, 2002, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988)12 – Miller (1938, 1936, 1934, 1933, 1932, 1931, 1930, 1929, 1928, 1926, 1923, 1922)10 – Honda (2025, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2005, 2004)10 – Cosworth (1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978)8 – Ford (1996, 1995, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1967, 1965)5 – Oldsmobile (2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997)3 – Duesenberg (1927, 1925, 19243 – Peugeot (1919, 1918, 1913)2 – Mercedes (1994, 19152 – Maserati (1940, 1939)2 – Frontenac (1921, 1920)1 – Toyota (2003)1 – Foyt (19771 – Sparks (1946)1 – Delage (1914)1 – National (1912)1 – Marmon (1911)  Earned Poles (with competition) 23 – General Motors18 – Offenhauser (1976, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1955, 1954, 1953, 1950, 1946, 1937)14 – Miller (1938, 1935, 1934, 1933, 1932, 1930, 1929, 1928, 1927, 1926, 1925, 1924, 1923, 1922)14 – Chevrolet (2025, 2024, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2002, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987)9 – Cosworth (1986, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977)9 – Honda (2026, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2016, 2005, 2004)7 – Ford (1993, 1970, 1969, 1967, 1966, 1965, 1964)5 – Oldsmobile (2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997)4 – Buick (1996, 1995, 1992, 1985)3 – Ballot (1921, 1920, 1919)2 – Foyt (1975, 1974)2 – Novi (1951, 1949)2 – Winfield (1948, 1940)2 – Maserati (1947, 1941)2 – Sparks (1939, 1936)2 – Wisconsin (1912, 1911)1 – Toyota (2003)1 – Mercedes (1994)1 – Pratt & Whitney (1968)1 – Cummins (1952)1 – Studebaker (1931)1 – Peugeot (1916)1 – Stutz (1915)1 – Sunbeam (1914)1 – Mercer (1913)

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