The 2017 Indianapolis 500 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting ones in years. Formula 1 legend Fernando Alonso is set to join what is expected to be a very deep field of contenders, at least according to the odds. And after Alexander Rossi’s surprising win as a rookie last season, it seems like anything is on the table for this year’s edition.
Read on below, and let’s take a look at some of the top drivers to consider waging on ahead of the big race.
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Scott Dixon (+600)
For the third time in his career, Scott Dixon will start at pole position at the Indy 500. Dixon has usually made that great starting position count. In his previous two starts at pole, he won the race (2008) and finished fourth (2015).
Dixon has started the season in outstanding form, finishing in the top 5 in each of the first five races this season to top the driver’s standings. While he was unlucky to get robbed at gunpoint mere hours after winning pole, he might not need too much luck to win this weekend given how great he’s been both recently and historically at Indy.
Fernando Alonso (+900)
Alonso is obviously the big story in this year’s race. The two-time Formula 1 world champion has decided to skip the Monaco Grand Prix in order to compete at the Indy 500 for the very first time. Alonso’s lack of experience in IndyCar certainly didn’t seem to hinder his speed during qualifying.
He consistently set some very fast times during practice sessions, although an engine issue during qualifying cost him a shot at pole. He eventually finished a respectable second-row start in fifth.
Just last year, Alexander Rossi became the first rookie since Tony Stewart in 1996 to win the Indy 500 as a rookie, and Alonso—who’s obviously no ordinary rookie—has every chance of making it two in a row.
Will Power (+900)
After a slow start to the season, Will Power is quickly picking up a lot of steam. Power will enter this year’s Indy 500 fresh off two straight top-2 finishes, including the win in the IndyCar Grand Prix.
Power didn’t have the greatest performance during qualifying as he finished 9th, his lowest place on the grid since 2009, when he also started 9th. However, that led to one of his very best performances at the Indy 500, as he finished a respectable 5th.
Don’t be surprised to see a similar type of performance from Power, who should be well in contention right until the end.
Sleeper
Simon Pagenaud (+1,200)
Reigning IndyCar champion is having another strong start to the season. Like Dixon, the Frenchman has finished in the top 5 in each of the first five races of the season, and already has one win to his name.
But for some reason, Pagenaud just can’t seem to perform at the big stage of the Indy 500. Last year, he came into the big race riding a hat-trick of wins—and five-straight top-2 finishes—but could only managed 19th. His best finish in five career starts is 8th.
But even though he’s starting 23rd this year, getting such low odds on a driver as talented as Pagenaud should at least be worthy of consideration just for the value.
Long Shot
Alexander Rossi (+2,000)
The Indy 500 hasn’t had a back-to-back winner since Helio Castroneves in 2001-02, but despite his long odds, Rossi may just be a threat to end that 15-year-long drought. Rossi, of course, famously ended the drought of a rookie winning the race when he did it last year.
It’s been a rather underwhelming IndyCar career for Rossi apart from that win, but maybe he just really likes to get up for the big race. He finds himself at the top grid for this weekend’s race after qualifying 3rd, and at +2,000, he should pay off handsomely if he does make it two wins in two starts.
Writer’s Prediction
Rossi (+2,000) rocks the racing world one more time as he wins the Indy 500 for the second year in a row.
Ready to lay down some big money on the big race? Create a betting account now to get in on the action for the 2017 Indy 500.
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