Expert Racing Picks to Win the Indy 500 & Betting Odds

We are just a few days away from the 101st running of the Indy 500 at historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race is scheduled for Sunday, May 28 at roughly 12:20 EST. It will be televised nationally on ABC. The event takes place over Memorial Day weekend and has done so since 1965. It’s a racing fans dream come true, as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series follows this race with the longest race of the season at the Coca-Cola 600.

All the drivers in the field are out to have their name etched into history on the famous Borg-Warner Trophy and receive the bottle of milk that has become a staple tradition of the Indy 500 champion since it was started back in 1936 by Louis Meyer. There’s also the traditional wreath that is awarded to the winner in victory lane and the opportunity to kiss the bricks at the start/finish line. Kissing the bricks is a NASCAR tradition that Indy 500 winners have adopted since 2003.

Last year’s race provided fans with a thrilling finish, as Alexander Rossi crossed the finish line with an empty tank of gas. Coasting the final quarter-lap to take home the special 100th anniversary of this event. Rossi became the 9th driver to win the Indy 500 as a rookie. The previous to do so was Helio Castroneves back in 2001. It just so happens Castroneves is also the last to win this event in consecutive starts (won his first two races here).

Rossi is one of seven past champions in the field on Sunday. The only drivers with multiple wins are Castroneves (3) and Juan Pablo Montoya (2). Castroneves can tie the all-time record with his 4th win. A feat that is currently shared by three of the all-time greats in A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr., and Rick Mears.

Scott Dixon, who won the 2008 Indy 500, has earned the pole position for the second time in the last three years and third time overall. He previously did so in 2015 (finished 4th) and 2008 (won). There was a stretch from 2004-09 where the pole winner won 4 of 6 starts at this race, but it hasn’t happened since Castroneves last accomplished it in 2009.

No a big surprise that Dixon is currently listed as the odds on favorite at +600. He’s followed by Fernando Alonso at +800 and a whole bunch of guys listed at +900.

For those of you thinking about placing a wager on this race, here’s a look at the two drivers I will be betting to bring home the checkered flag.

2017 Expert Picks & Predictions on Winner of the Indy 500

Helio Castroneves (+900)

Castroneves came up painfully short of tying the all-time record of 4 wins at the Indianapolis 500 in 2014 (runner-up) and has continued to race well here despite not entering the winner’s circle since 2009. I got a gut feeling here that the 42-year-old still has quite a bit left in the tank. His worst finish since 2012 is 11th. He’s yet to win in 2017, but hasn’t finished outside the Top 10 in 5 starts and is coming off 3 straight Top 5 showings.

Simon Pagenaud (+1200)

If you like value, there’s plenty of it here with Pagenaud. He’s racked up a Top 5 finish in each of his first 5 races of 2017, including a win at the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix. There’s no question that he’s struggled to perform up to his potential on the big stage here, but as far as talent is concerned, he’s right there with the best in the field. This will be his 6th start at this event and I believe it’s only a matter of time before he masters this track and takes home the title.

Live Vegas Betting Odds to Win the Indianapolis 500