The road back to normal has been arduous and long.
But the homestretch is finally coming into sight. How fitting that it’s paved in bricks.
The latest example is the return of the Indianapolis 500 back to its customary time slot. After a three-month pause due to COVID-19 in 2020 that put the race in August, the race is set for Memorial Day weekend when it’s usually held.
On top of that, the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will see the return of fans. Granted, the Indianapolis Motorspeedway won’t be at the full 300,000 capacity, but it will get up to 40%, or 135,000 fans.
Unlike last August, the Brickyard will have life. That should only add to the excitement.
Indy 500 odds
| 2021 Indy 500 odds | BetMGM | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Favorites to win (top five) | Scott Dixon +350 Colton Herta +700 Patricio O'Ward +850 Josef Newgarden +1,200 Alexander Rossi +1,200 Alex Palou +1,200 Tony Kanaan +1,400 | Scott Dixon +350 Colton Herta +700 Patricio O'Ward +1,100 Alex Palou +1,400 Alexander Rossi +1,400 Rinus VeeKay +1,400 Josef Newgarden +1,500 | Scott Dixon +330 Colton Herta +750 Patricio O'Ward +800 Alexander Rossi +1,300 Josef Newgarden +1,300 Alex Palou +1,600 |
While there are some notable changes from nine months ago, one remains the same at the Indy 500.
Scott Dixon is the favorite to win Sunday’s race. He was also the favorite to win in August. While the driver with Chip Ganassi Racing didn’t win, he did finish second.
On top of being the sports betting favorite, Dixon will also start from the pole position. It’s his fourth time starting from the lead position, also doing so in 2008, 2015 and 20017. He’s looking for his second Indy 500, with his first coming in 2008.
The fact Dixon got his lone win while also starting from the pole position is something to keep in mind if you’re thinking about betting on the race lines.
“It’s obviously the best starting position,” Dixon told For The Win. “But, unfortunately, it doesn’t guarantee you anything. It doesn’t even guarantee going into the first corner first.”
Takuma Soto did kiss the bricks and drink the milk. In terms of the 2021 Indy 500 race odds at the various sports betting apps in Colorado, Soto comes in at around +2,000.
Previous winners of the Indy 500 and their odds
One strategy for race bettors could be drivers who have won the Indy 500.
Since 2009, here are the previous winners who are still active with their current odds at DraftKings sportsbook in Colorado (minus Soto):
- 2019 Simon Pagenaud +2,000
- 2018 Will Power +2,500
- 2016 Alexander Rossi +1,400
- 2015 Juan Pablo Montoya +3,300
- 2014 Ryan Hunter-Reay +2,500
- 2013 Tony Kanaan +1,600
- 2009 Helio Castroneves +2,800
Indy 500 betting trends
If you were curious how people are wagering the race, here are the current betting trends at William Hill:
- In terms of total number of tickets, Castroneves, Rossi, Dixon and Marco Andretti are 6%.
- The most popular by total dollars wagered are Dixon at 12%, followed by Rossi and Graham Rahal at 8%.
Indy 500 prop bets
Aside from betting the eventual winner, finishers in the top three, top five and top 10, DraftKings has numerous proposition bets at your disposal as well. There are both race and driver props you can wager on.
The race props range from the driver to finish on the lead lap and the nationality of the winner to lap, winner and leader props.
The driver props include the driver to lead a lap and race matchups.
DraftKings is also offering an odds boost to Colorado sports bettors: Any American to win the Indy 500 from +150 to +175.
The road back to normal has been long. It was safe to wonder if it would happen.
But for the first time in the Colorado sports betting market’s young history, race bettors get to wager on the Indy 500 in it’s normal date and time.
Strap in for the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Indy 500 viewing info
What: The Indianapolis 500
When: The green flag is set for 10:45 p.m. MST, Sunday, May 30
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis
Watch: NBC
