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The pomp and pageantry of the 107th edition of the Indianapolis 500 race is finally here — and so are the betting opportunities. In this article, we’ll be sharing which drivers are most worth betting on to win the Indianapolis 500. We’ve done the research and comfortably settled on two drivers to back this weekend!
- What: Indianapolis 500 race
- When: May 28
- Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indianapolis, Indiana)
2023 Indy 500 Preview
As we preview the Indy 500, let’s start with the field, which consists of 33 drivers. That also means 33 different betting opportunities on who eventually wins it. Still, there are several clear-cut drivers expected to compete for first place. Per the best sites to bet on sports, these drivers are the betting frontrunners:
| Driver |  |  |  |
| Alex Palou | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Scott McLaughlin | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Pato O'Ward | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Josef Newgarden | +550 | +550 | +550 |
| Will Power | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Marcus Erricsson | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Scott Dixon | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
There’s little surprise with the betting odds above. Palou is tied atop the board, thanks to a stand-out performance at the Indy qualifying stage. He set the fastest pole position speed in race history at 234.217 mph, which puts him in P1 to start. Joining him on row one will be Rinus VeeKay (finished 0.006 behind Palou) and Felix Rosenqvist.
Another favorite is O’Ward. He and Palou have been neck and neck this whole season. As it stands, Palou leads the series after five races with a six-point edge over O’Ward. Finishing runner-up is starting to become normal for O’Ward though. He has three such finishes this year and was also second overall at last year’s Indy 500 competition. The Mexican driver will start the race in row two.
The grizzled veteran, Dixon, is in the same row as O’Ward. He’s a six-time world champion but hasn’t tasted victory at the Indy 500 since 2008. Last year, he was off to a blazing start before a drive-thru penalty ultimately did him in.
Expect the usual on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — 200 laps for 500 miles. It’s an oval-shaped track but cause of unique corners, runs like a road course. The Brickyard is one of the most famous motor races in the world so every driver is bringing a little extra for a shot of career glory.
Who To Bet To Win 2023 Indy 500 Race
With a race like this, you can’t “put all your eggs in one basket.” No, no, no, multiple Indy 500 bets are a necessity. While there are many drivers worth looking into here, we’re confidently backing the next two drivers above the rest:
Alex Palou
This choice is obvious but also warranted. Palou has been the best driver all season, simple as that. What stands out about him is his consistency. In four or five races through 2023, he’s placed in the top-5. Palou’s worst finish was eighth overall.
That run includes an outright win at this track a month ago at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis. Yes, that was technically a road race, but it feels like Indy brings the best out of Palou. His record-setting performance in qualifiers also backs that. All those factors make Palou a priority bet to make this weekend.
Will Power
At +800 odds, Power is sort of a mid-value play — not among the favorites, but far from a longshot. We believe he’s the perfect complementary bet to take alongside Palou. He’s starting in P12, which isn’t ideal, but here’s why he gives us confidence: Power has an ability to constantly move up. In only one of five races this season has Power finished worse than he started. It’s also worth noting that Power has seven different top-10s at the Indy 500. We have a good feeling he’ll be in contention, and at worse, he’s worth a top-5 finish prop bet. We’ll take the extra risk and bet him straight up.
How To Watch 2023 Indy 500 Race
The prestige of the Indy 500 really is something special. You’ll get a huge whiff of it if watching the Indy 500 live — expect a sell-out crowd easily over 100,000 in attendance. To follow all the action in real-time, you have two options — NBC or its Peacock app.
The flag is expected to go down at 12:45 pm EST. If TV is still your preferred mode of operation, then NBC has you covered. Those looking for a streaming option can use Peacock instead. Remember, it’s Memorial Day weekend for those in the United States so you have extra time to watch with no “Sunday scarries” in sight.
How To Bet On 2023 Indy 500
If you’ve read this article all the way through, then you’re absolutely ready to bet on the Indy 500. The last step? Using an online bookmaker to lock in these wagers before Sunday’s start time. In case you need one, we’d suggest to start with one of the sites featured in the underneath table.
If you need help selecting the best sportsbook, then gloss over the information in the table. There are up-to-date sportsbook reviews right there to read, plus details on the latest promotional offers — that could make your Indy 500 bets free. See below for full details.
