Takuma Sato is the defending champion at the Indianapolis 500 but he’s not given great odds to repeat. The oddsmakers have listed Sato with only the 17th-best odds to win again this year. If it happens, he will pay out nicely at +3000, but an underwhelming season as made many other drivers likely to claim the victory.
Alexander Rossi has been plunked down as the favorite, as he comes in at +800 to finish ahead of the pack. Helio Castroneves is no stranger to the checkered flag at the Indianapolis 500 as he has won it three times, which is the most among active drivers. Castroneves hasn’t captured a victory here since 2009 but is in the second group of most likely winners alongside Josef Newgarden and Will Power at +1000.
The Indianapolis 500 is the most famous race in America and many a television set will be tuned in for the action. Let’s check out the race and the Indianapolis 500 picks.
2018 Indianapolis 500 Date: Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 12:15 p.m. ET
Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana
Indianapolis 500 Racing Odds Favorite: Alexander Rossi
Indianapolis 500 TV Coverage: ABC
While past success is a good thing heading into this, current form is likely a bigger deal. Rossi has a good mix of both. He is the 2016 Indianapolis 500 champion and currently sits in second place in the IndyCar standings with 176 points, including one victory this season. He will aim to combine his track experience as well as his currently level of skill in surpassing the other racers to win the Indy 500.
The current IndyCar leader is Newgarden, who has accumulated 178 points and has a pair of victories on the season. Newgarden has never won the Indianapolis 500 but is driving well and is expected to be among the front pack. Sebastien Bourdais is currently in third place in the IndyCar standings, followed by Scott Dixon and James Hinchcliffe. Hinchcliffe is not scheduled to take part in the race because he did not qualify and has been unable to find a way in. It is a big blow to his chances at winning the circuit as this race is worth double the points. In the unlikely event Hinchcliffe can get in, he could actually be among the contenders based on his performances this year.
Odds to Win Indy 500
Alexander Rossi +800
Helio Castroneves +1000
Josef Newgarden +1000
Will Power +1000
Ed Carpenter +1200
Ryan Hunter-Reay +1200
Scott Dixon +1200
Sebastien Bourdais +1200
Simon Pagenaud +1200
Marco Andretti +1500
Tony Kanaan +1500
Sage Karam +2000
Carlos Munoz +2500
Danica Patrick +2500
Graham Rahal +3000
Robert Wickens +3000
Takuma Sato +3000
Charlie Kimball +3000
Ed Jones +4000
Gabby Chaves +4000
JR Hildebrand +4000
Spencer Pigot +4000
Stefan Wilson +4000
Zach Veach +4000
Jay Howard +8000
Matheus Leist +8000
Zachary Claman DeMelo +8000
Jack Harvey +10000
Oriol Servia +10000
Conor Daly +15000
James Davison +20000
Kyle Kaiser +20000
Max Chilton +25000
Race Analysis
While Rossi is a slight favorite, there are plenty of different drivers who have the ability to come away with the victory in the Indianapolis 500. It was a tough set of circumstances for Hinchliffe to miss this race, but even with him out it is a muddy field of contenders.
With that in mind, taking someone with longer odds is a solid idea. There is one driver among the pack that looks to have good odds at a solid price.
IndyCar Odds at BookMaker.eu
Indianapolis 500 Free Picks
Ryan Hunter-Reay isn’t having the best season but he won here in 2014 and has the type of pedigree that should keep him in contention. If things go Hunter-Reay’s way it is easy to see him coming away with the victory. It would give him a big boost in the standings and make Hunter-Reay one of only three active drivers with multiple victories at the Indianapolis 500. He is the choice at intriguing +1200 odds to emerge victorious in IndyCar racing betting.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go.
Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
