You’ll typically see my work across In-Between Media with fantasy football content and Formula 1 betting (thank you for the support!), but for this week, I wanted to add more bets to the card! It is a jam-packed motorsports weekend, with the Monaco Grand Prix, Coca-Cola 600 and the famous Indy 500.
Known as “the Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indy 500 is back for its 109th race in Indianapolis. Similar to the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy 500 is also difficult to bet on, but still fun to watch on TV and especially in person with 400k+ people.
Josef Newgarden has the biggest storyline heading into the two and a half weeks of Indy 500 practices and qualifiers, as he seeks to be the first driver to win three consecutive Indy 500 races. However, he will face a difficult challenge along with teammate Will Power. They will start at 32nd and 33rd, due to Penske’s penalties on modified attenuators on the two drivers’ cars. This led to the release of three Penske executives: President Tim Cindric, Managing Director Ron Ruzewski and IndyCar General Manager Kyle Moyer. Another major storyline centers around Kyle Larson, who will look to attempt “the double” once again. He will run the Indy 500 in the morning, then fly via helicopter to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600.
This will not be as in-depth as my usual F1 pieces, but I wanted to get in on the action with my Top 3 outrights and podium prediction!
Let’s get into it.
(Odds courtesy of Draftkings Sportsbook)
Is This Finally Pato O’Ward’s Year in Indy? | 2025 Indy500 Picks
Similar to Formula 1, McLaren is eyeing for dominance across motorsports and that includes IndyCar. Christian Lundgaard and Pato O’Ward sit at 3rd and 4th place, respectively, behind Kyle Kirkwood and Alex Palou. Palou has won all races except the Acura Long Beach Grand Prix, so he is a driver to watch.
History was made in the qualifiers as Robert Shwartzman became the first rookie in 43 years to start at pole position. He will join O’Ward and two-time Indy 500 champion Takuma Sato in the front row. In the second row, 2008 Indy 500 winner and six-time series champion Scott Dixon will line up with Felix Rosenqvist and points-leader Alex Palou.
There are plenty of storylines to watch during the Indy 500, but with Penske’s punishments, all eyes are on Pato O’Ward. Josef Newgarden still has a shot to three-peat, but starting in the final row makes this a lot harder.
Indy 500 Picks
Pato O’Ward (+500)
As I brought up earlier, all eyes are on the Mexican driver. I don’t only like him finishing in the Top 5; I like him to win outright. He has not won the big race yet, but he’s been consistent in Indy. He’s finished P2 twice in the past three years and Top 6 in four of his five starts. In 2023, he led for 39 laps before crashing while battling for second place with Marcus Ericsson.
O’Ward has been open that the Indy 500 has broken his heart in the past. I feel that this is finally the year he recovers and salvages his heartbreak with a win and milk celebration.
Penske’s powerhouse drivers are always someone to keep an eye on, but given that they will be starting in the back, McLaren is in a great position. If they can pick up the speed from what they showed in qualifying, Pato O’Ward will get the job done.
Alex Palou (+550)
O’Ward’s practices and hype around him give the McLaren driver the highest odds, but you cannot count out Alex Palou. He is a three-time IndyCar champion (2021, 2023 and 2024) and has 30 podiums in 67 starts for Chip Ganassi Racing. He is currently the IndyCar points leader with 248 and is not showing any signs of slowing down. Palou’s success and experience also give him a big edge, similar to how Formula 1 bettors put money on Oscar Piastri. It makes sense to put some cash down on the points leader who is having a 2023 Max Verstappen-like year.
The Spaniard has been dominant all season and had a solid 2 weeks of practice and qualifying. But O’Ward is right on his tail and is hungry for that first Indy 500 win after all the heartbreak he suffered. While Palou is equally hungry, he’s got a little bit of work to do facing Hall of Famer Scott Dixon in the second row. However, +550 is enough juice and a safe bet to hammer on Alex Palou because you can never count out a points leaders in motorsports, especially if they’ve dominated all season.
Scott Dixon (+650)
Scott Dixon is a Hall of Famer and 2008 Indy 500 champion who is also a six-time series champion. He is in his 24th season with Chip Ganassi Racing, so experience plays a huge factor here as he lines up next to his teammate. He has 58 total wins, the most of any active driver, and is second all-time in this category.
I personally like this outright a lot. It’s not too close to the value on O’Ward, but it is juicy enough to get that extra cash, especially if you pair with an O’Ward Top 5 or Marcus Ericsson longshot.
Podium Prediction:
- Pato O’Ward
- Scott Dixon
- Alex Palou
Thank you for reading my 2025 Indy 500 picks and predictions! Follow me on Twitter/X @nrojo5 for more fantasy football & sports takes, including Formula 1. Simply, simply lovely.
*Photo Credit: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar – USA TODAY Sports*
