It’s IndyCar’s biggest race as well as its biggest betting event. That’s right, it’s the Indy 500. Let’s go over this weekend’s best picks.
Sure Thing: Pato O’Ward, To Win – +750
After getting bumped from the Indy 500 field as a rookie in 2019, Pato O’Ward has made a name for himself at the Brickyard every year since 2020. Part of the undeniably quick Arrow McLaren team, the young Mexican driver starts in fifth alongside Santino Ferrucci and Scott Dixon, his best starting position at the 500 in four starts.
With an average finish of fourth at IMS, O’Ward has shown impressive consistency for his age. In last year’s race, O’Ward battled with eventual winner Marcus Ericsson all the way down to the final lap, with the Swede eventually winning the race. Many around the paddock think that O’Ward’s time at Indianapolis has to be soon, which makes him an attractive pick at 75-1.
RETWEET if you're rooting for @Ericsson_Marcus to go back-to-back in the #Indy500.
The Swedish driver reflected on last year's win. pic.twitter.com/KjUwSlk8KJ
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 23, 2023
Sleeper: Ed Carpenter, To Win – +4000
An Indianapolis native and a three-time pole winner at the Speedway, Ed Carpenter is never someone to count out on an oval. The 42-year-old has finished in the Top 10 six times in 19 starts at IMS and has been in contention late in the race for the past two years. Driving for his own team since 2012, Carpenter has plenty of help on track with teammates Rinus VeeKay and Conor Daly.
Although he is one of the older drivers in the field, that is no reason to count a driver out at Indy. Just think back to 2021 when then-46-year-old Helio Castroneves bested Alex Palou for a record-tying fourth victory in the Indianapolis 500. Carpenter is far past due for a win at Indy, so don’t be surprised if he is near the front after rolling off in 13th.
Long Shot: Benjamin Pedersen, To Win – +6000
While he may be a rookie, I would say it’s a stretch to call Benjamin Pedersen a long shot to win this race. However, the Danish-American rookie has impressed along with teammate Ferrucci since day one of practice. Pedersen is rolling off 11th, the highest of the four rookies in the field this year.
While Pedersen hasn’t necessarily impressed in the first five races of 2023 with an average finish of 22nd, you never know what can happen across 200 laps at Indianapolis. I’d say he has a small chance of becoming the first rookie to win the Indianapolis 500 since Alexander Rossi in 2016.
You can catch the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Sunday on NBC, with coverage starting at 11:00 a.m.
All Odds are Provided by DraftKings and are current as of Friday, May 26th at 12:30 p.m.
Featured Image Credit: Joe Skibinski/Penske Entertainment
