The Indianapolis 500 this 12 months will function two drivers particularly whose storylines are all about chasing historical past.
Josef Newgarden is making an attempt to win his third consecutive Indy 500. Nobody within the 108-year historical past of the race has received back-to-back-to-back.
Helio Castroneves is making an attempt to win for the fifth time. Nobody within the 108-year historical past of the race has received 5.
Will both accomplish that feat?
Each have lengthy roads. Newgarden begins thirty second within the 33-car discipline after a technical infraction final Sunday despatched him to the rear. Castroneves begins twenty second and hasn’t been blissful together with his automobile in apply.
With that in thoughts, listed here are a few of my predictions.
Will Buxton on Josef Newgarden probably three-peating the indy 500
Pato O’Ward Outright Winner
O’Ward has completed second in two of the final three Indy 500s, and he crashed whereas battling for second late within the race in 2023. The Arrow McLaren driver has his finest beginning spot of third. This choose may be just a little bit extra from the center than the pinnacle. Sure, I do know that may be harmful. However typically you simply have that feeling. What’s the saying? You must lose one earlier than you win one. Some would say he’s misplaced three.
PICK: Pato O’Ward (+500) to win Indy 500
Alex Palou Outright Winner
Sure, I am backing Palou as one other potential first-time winner. And no, he is by no means received on an oval. However contemplating he has received 4 of the primary 5 races this 12 months and begins on the skin of Row 2, he’s in place to remain out entrance. He and the Ganassi group have executed flawlessly this 12 months, and that’s what this race takes. And he’s been extraordinarily quick in apply.
PICK: Alex Palou (+600) to win Indy 500
Scott McLaughlin Place
McLaughlin has a backup automobile, nevertheless it’s a brand new experience that was purposely constructed for a speedway. He begins tenth and regardless that he has a brand new strategist after the overhaul of the Penske INDYCAR leadership this week, he’ll be sturdy.
PICK: Scott McLaughlin (+400) to Place at Indy 500
Kyle Kirkwood Present
He begins twenty third however has liked his automobile all through apply. The one day the Andretti driver didn’t really feel good in his automobile was qualifying day. The race is totally different from qualifying, and in case you are searching for just a little little bit of an extended shot, Kirkwood is your man.
PICK: Kyle Kirkwood (+800) to Present at Indy 500
Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports activities. He has spent many years overlaying motorsports, together with over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene journal and The (Daytona Seashore) Information-Journal. Comply with him on Twitter @bobpockrass.
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