PEOPLE's Janine Rubenstein goes behind-the-scenes at the 2026 Indy 500
NEED TO KNOW
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Inside e.l.f. Cosmetics' jam-packed weekend celebrating Katherine Legge, the race's only woman driver as she attempted The Double, a history-making feat
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From riding along in an actual IndyCar to a relaxing massage and top dining experience, Rubenstein got to do it all over race weekend
I didn't know I had a need for speed until this past weekend.
When I first learned that PEOPLE was teaming up with e.l.f. Cosmetics for this year'sIndy 500— and to help celebrateKatherine Legge, the race'sonly woman driverwho was attempting to make history driving in both the IndyCar series and a Nascar race on the same day — I was pretty excited. That said, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
I felt the magnitude of the occasion immediately upon landing in Indianapolis for the first time. Everywhere you turned there were signs, billboards, and even life-size IndyCar replicas commemorating what I soon learned is the single biggest event in all of sports, not just motorsports.
Thus, I got to work documenting every wild twist and turn with the help of the e.l.f. team, who curated a weekend full of events to take me behind-the-scenes of it all. Below, check out a full recap of my time in the racing capital of the world.
FRIDAY - Meeting and Toasting to Katherine Legge
After dropping my things off at my unique hotel (which was built inside of Indianapolis's Historic Union Station train center - I swear, everything in this city has wheels) I high-tailed it over to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time to meet the woman of the weekend. That place is massive in a way I wasn't expecting and I definitely got my steps in making my way over to e.l.f.'s distinctive pop-up right in the center of the track.
There were a ton of different brands and sponsors around, but nothing was remotely like e.l.f.'s space. It was equal parts fierce and feminine, chrome and pink. And with a deejay spinning as fans got makeup touch-ups and were gifted chromed oute.l.f. Glow Reviver Slipsticks, their footprint had the longest line around, full of women and girls. It's there that I met Katherine Legge who I peppered with questions as she stood in front of a wall full of handwritten notes of support and well-wishes.
"Overwhelmed is probably the best way to describe it," she told me of her emotions going into the back-to-back races. "I'm trying to keep a level head and just control the things that I can control and let the rest go and enjoy the moment because it's pretty fantastic."
After the interview headed over to her garage to check out the car her team was diligently working on to get ready to roar that Sunday. According to Andy O'Gara, Legge's crew chief who'd just won IndyCar's Clint Brawner best mechanic award earlier that day, the team was hard at work on an electrical fix to increase the top speed capability. As for Legge, "she's gonna give it 110% on Sunday," he said.
But not before she found time to make a pit stop at PEOPLE and e.l.f.'s party in her honor that night. Serving as host I had the pleasure of welcoming a room full of stars, influencers and fans to sleek and sexy Dusk Lounge in Downtown Indianapolis where Legge was feted.
Attendees were treated to a variety of race-inspired party moments, from photo ops modeled after Katherine’s bold, pink-and-chrome e.l.f. Cosmetics Chevrolet race car, to signature race day cocktails and mocktails while DJ Mae kept the energy high, incorporating songs frome.l.f. Cosmetics’ GRWM album.
"They've changed the face of racing, and all of the women at the racetrack will tell you the same thing," Legge said of e.l.f.'s support during her remarks to the crowd. "They finally feel represented, they feel seen." After that, Legge jetted off to focus on trying to make history.
SATURDAY - From Super Fast to Relaxingly Slow
I headed back to the race track bright and early the next morning for the ride of a lifetime. I got the greenlight to do a lap in an actual IndyCar with an actual IndyCar driver at a speed I couldn't imagine. After suiting up in a fire suit I headed over to the cars with excited and a healthy amount of fear.
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The cars already taking off were deafening. As the attendants handed me what looked to be a ski mask and gloves I noticed Colts safety (and hubby toSimone Biles)Jonathan Owenssuiting up one line over. Lining up side-by-side with the NFL star gave the confidence boost I needed to throw the helmet on and hop in to the extremely snug race car for my victory lap.
The driver took our car to over 180 mph on the 2.5 mile lap, but honestly it was all just a thrilling blur. Thankfully I took the advice I got from someone on the e.l.f. team who warned me to stay loose and go full on limp on the turns. That apparently saved me a sore neck. In all it was awesome, but I don't know if I need to do it again. Something about needing head-to-toe fire-resistant attire makes it feel like just a one-time risk for me.
The team and I grabbed some juicy corn dogs on the way out and then I rushed off to slow down, heading to get a massage at The Conrad Hotel. The wild juxtaposition of these two activities is not lost on me, but I loved every minute of the contrast. Getting to fully unwind and sink into the bed was so peaceful I fell asleep mid-massage.
It was just what I needed before heading to dinner with Team e.l.f. and their guests atThe Dining Room of RH Indianapolis located at the DeHaan Estate. I can't fully describe how stunning this place was. It felt as though we'd driven 20 minutes outside of the city and wound up in Versailles. From gorgeous columns and statues to sweeping views of a private lake and its surrounding greenery, we were all transfixed.
It got even better when our waitress shared the history of the stately venue, built by timeshare and hospitality mogul Christel DeHaan, a woman who lived alone in the 60-room palatial estate she commissioned, until her death in 2020.
The story perfectly lent itself to the weekend's theme of female empowerment and I couldn't help but imagine how much of a boss she must have been, as we all dined on delicious steak and salmon. It was hands-down the best meal, and food for thought, of the weekend. I returned to my hotel full and feeling fabulous.
SUNDAY - Race Day
The big day kicked off at the crack of dawn when we hopped in a car at 6 a.m. to head over to the track with the help of a police escort. Given the 350,000 people descending on the speedway for the race that morning, we needed all the help we could get making it through the miles traffic. Once there, we headed straight to the elevated performance center that gave us an overhead view of one of the main turns of the track. We also got a good view of the Snake Pit stage whereZeddkept the EDM party raging all day.
Before the race kicked off I headed back the the onsite e.l.f. experience to grab a few interviews with fans stopping by. One of my favorites was a mom and her two young daughters who had on matching DIY e.l.f. outfits in honor of Legge. Everyone I chatted with couldn't have been more excited for what was to come.
After an epic opening that includedJordin Sparkssinging the National Anthem as roaring fighter jets darted across the sky, the race was underway. But not long after it started it would end for Legge on the 18th lap, when she hit a wall trying to avoid the spin out of another driver.
Though she wouldn't be able to officially complete The Double, she kept her head high and headed straight from the track to the plane to Charlotte, NC, where she landed in time to suit up and compete in Nascar's Coca Cola 600 as planned. There she'd finish the race, coming in 31st. A truly incredible feat and as I watched her race on TV later that night I thought, 'Janine, you gotta push myself a little more!'
In all it was a mind-blowing experience from start to finish. To say I left Indianapolis inspired is an understatement. I'm still not over all of the amazing things I saw and did, and the deep sense of female empowerment I'll carry with me from this epic weekend. Probably the fastest weekend ever!
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PEOPLE's Janine Rubenstein goes behind-the-scenes at the 2026 Indy 500 NEED TO KNOW Inside e.l.f. Cosmetics...
