Steve Starr
- Alex Palou (-300) is a heavy favorite to claim his second IndyCar series title in three years
- Josef Newgarden (+550) is 81 points behind his Chip Ganassi Racing rival with nine races left
- The next race on the calendar is the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on July 2 at 1:30pm ET
With three wins in the last four races, Alex Palou has built up a monstrous 74-point lead in the IndyCar series standings. The Spanish driver has the second-biggest championship margin of all-time with nine races remaining on the calendar.
Can anyone stop Palou from capturing his second title in three years? Before we look at the updated futures, check out all the Sports & Competitions to bet on in 2023. Here’s also where you can see the latest Sports Betting Odds & Picks.
2023 Indy Car Championship
| Driver |  |  |  |
| Alex Palou | -300 | -300 | -300 |
| Josef Newgarden | +550 | +550 | +550 |
| Marcus Ericsson | +600 | +600 | +600 |
| Pato O'Ward | +900 | +900 | +900 |
| Scott Dixon | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Scott McLaughlin | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Alexander Rossi | +3000 | +3000 | +3000 |
| Will Power | +3000 | +3000 | +3000 |
| Colton Herta | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Kyle Kirkwood | +6600 | +6600 | +6600 |
Palou’s dominant run
Alex Palou (-300) won Road America by 4.5610 seconds over Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden (+550) on June 18th. It was the 26-year-old’s third victory of the season, following triumphs at the Indianapolis road course and at the Detroit Grand Prix. In addition to claiming three of the past four races, Palou has placed fifth or better in the last seven events with an average finishing position of 3.5.
The Spaniard has a 74-point lead over Chip Ganassi teammate Marcus Ericsson (+600). Once the campaign comes to a close, many expect Palou to join Arrow McLaren in Formula One.
.@AlexPalou extends his championship points lead.
⁰Is your favorite driver in the top 10 after 8 races? pic.twitter.com/g2XmxAtncb— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) June 19, 2023
Can anyone catch Palou?
History is certainly on Alex Palou’s side. In the past 77 IndyCar seasons, the leader in the standings with nine-races-left-to-run has won 44 times. That gives the Chip Ganassi driver a 57.2% chance of claiming the championship.
His remarkable consistency also bodes well. Since 1956, six of seven drivers with a finishing average at 3.5 or better through the first eight events went on to win the title.
Dixon has done it before
Scott Dixon (+1400) holds the record for overcoming the biggest points deficit with nine races remaining. The six-time champion famously fought back from a 92-point hole in 2013 to steal the title from Helio Castroneves. In fact, Dixon came-from-behind to win four of his six championships, eliminating deficits in 2003, 2015, and 2018 as well.
While the 42-year-old Indy legend has yet to win a race this year, his average finishing position (7.8) matches Newgarden’s. That number is also skewed by Dixon’s last-place finish at Long Beach following a collision with Pato O’Ward (+900).
Have a day, @josefnewgarden! ⁰⁰P2 yesterday in the #SonsioGP and 3rd in the championship standings. pic.twitter.com/pOvbweH6V5
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) June 19, 2023
Best Bet
If you’re looking for a longshot, Alexander Rossi (+3000) has more top-ten finishes (6) than his McLaren teammate Pato O’Ward (5) this season and just one fewer top-five placements (4 vs. 5).
However, this is Alex Palou’s championship to lose. The Spaniard should cruise to his second title in the past three years and embark on a new challenge in Formula One.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
