- Katherine Legge is confirmed as the 33rd entry for the 2026 Indianapolis 500.
- Legge’s return is a partnership between HMD Motorsports and AJ Foyt Racing.
- Locked-in lineup features a mix of 25 full-timers and 8 high-profile part-timers.
With the clock ticking toward race day, the 2026 Indianapolis 500 grid is finally set. After a year on the sidelines, Katherine Legge is set for a return at the 110th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” The British lady ace is the 33rd and final entrant for the 2026 Indy 500, scheduled for May 24, as part of a special collaboration between HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing.
‘Feels Like Christmas’ – Katherine Legge headlines late IndyCar entry for 2026 Indy 500
Legge, a veteran of both Champ Car and IndyCar competition, returns to the Brickyard for her fifth start in the race. Her previous appearances between 2012 and 2024 saw her achieve a best finish of 22nd and a top qualifying effort of 29th.
This time, though, she’ll pilot the No. 11 Chevrolet, backed once again by e.l.f. Cosmetics, with additional support from General Motors. The last-minute addition comes via AJ Foyt Racing, which has filed the 33rd entry in collaboration with HMD Motorsports, alongside technical support from Team Penske.
The effort ensures the iconic “33-car field” (a hallmark of the Indy 500) remains intact for this year’s running.
Sharing her thoughts, the 45-year-old said, “It honestly feels like Christmas being back at the 500. Every time I return, I gain a deeper appreciation for what it takes – not just to compete here, but to earn the opportunity to be here in the first place.”
“I’m reminded that I’m a small part of this enormously storied event. To the AJ Foyt Racing organization, HMD, Chevrolet, IndyCar, and my team at BRANDed Management – thank you for fighting tirelessly to make this possible,” she added.
Only woman in the field
Her entry wasn’t a routine addition. In fact, Legge was hand-picked by Penske Entertainment as part of a coordinated effort with Chevrolet, Foyt, and HMD to ensure the full grid.
HMD Motorsports, which already runs entries in Indy NXT and supports Foyt’s development pipeline, will play a key role in operating the car alongside Foyt’s full-time lineup of Santino Ferrucci and Caio Collet. Veteran strategist Andy O’Gara is also set to guide Legge’s race from the pit stand, adding experience to a program built on synergy.
Legge’s strongest Indy 500 showing came as a rookie in 2012, when she placed 22nd for Dragon Racing, and she will once again be the only woman in the field this year.
Entry list – Indy 500 field locked in at 33 cars for 2026
With Legge set for the 2026 Indianapolis 500, the field has officially reached its traditional 33-car limit. Barring an unexpected late addition, the grid now mirrors the full lineup last seen in 2022.
With that, the attention now turns to the complete entry list for IndyCar’s crown jewel race.
The foundation of the field is made up of 25 full-time competitors from the NTT IndyCar Series, all of whom have contested every round of the 2026 season so far. That includes entries from powerhouses like Team Penske, Chip Ganassi Racing, Andretti Global, and Arrow McLaren, who headline that group, each entering their regular lineups without any major surprises.
The remaining eight spots are filled by one-off or part-time entries, adding depth and intrigue to the grid.
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing returns with a two-car effort, fielding Conor Daly in the No. 23 and Jack Harvey in the No. 24. Both drivers are familiar faces with the team, with Daly securing a top-10 finish in 2024 and Harvey coming home 19th in 2025.
Meanwhile, Arrow McLaren expands to a four-car lineup, bringing back Ryan Hunter-Reay. The 2014 Indy 500 winner came close to a fairytale result last year before a late fuel issue derailed his charge.
Abel returns after missing 2025
At Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, two-time winner Takuma Sato returns in the No. 75 entry, aiming to build on a strong qualifying performance from 2025, where he secured a front-row start. All 33 entrants will participate in the Indy 500 open test in Indianapolis across Tuesday and Wednesday, with the entire field already locked in ahead of the final qualifying day on May 17.
Meyer Shank Racing, though, has added extra firepower of its own, entering a third car for four-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves, who famously delivered the team its breakthrough victory at the 2021 running.
In the No. 33 Chevy, Ed Carpenter Racing owner Ed Carpenter will once again take the wheel. A perennial contender at Indianapolis, the 45-year-old remains one of the event’s most consistent qualifiers and came close to victory with a runner-up finish in 2018.
Elsewhere, Jacob Abel returns after missing out on the 2025 grid, this time representing Abel Motorsports in the No. 51 Chevrolet. Lastly, with Legge’s addition completing the lineup, the 2026 Indy 500 once again boasts a full field of 33 cars, setting the stage for another highly competitive Month of May.
