In many ways the most iconic race of the IndyCar season, the 2023 Indianapolis 500 is set to kick off this week with a ton of drivers jostling for the top spot. Marcus Ericsson of Chip Ganassi Racing enters the competition as the defending Indianapolis 500 champion but will face a bevy of drivers looking to knock him off his pedestal. Checking in as the narrow favorite for this race, Pato O’Ward is one to look out for with four career wins in his career and one of the top young drivers. On the opposite side of the age spectrum, New Zealand’s Scott Dixon is another race near the top of betting markets with his last Indy 500 victory coming back in 2008. Finally, two other fantastic championship drivers round out our list with 2021 IndyCar Series winner Alex Palou and two-time IndyCar Series champion Josef Newgarden.
In this article, SBS will be going over what to look for from each of these racers, who will win the 2023 Indianapolis 500, and more notes about auto racing.
| Favorites to Win The 2023 IndyCar Indianapolis 500 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pato O'Ward | +725 | +725 | +725 |
| Scott Dixon | +750 | +750 | +750 |
| Alex Palou | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Josef Newgarden | +800 | +800 | +800 |
During the 2023 IndyCar Series campaign, O’Ward has been one of the more proficient racers with three second-place finishes to his credit in five races. After finishing seventh in the 2022 IndyCar championship standings, the Mexican racer has positioned himself as one of the favorites to win the whole series. The 2018 Indy Lights champion, O’Ward can continue his ascent with a big victory on Sunday.
The most decorated driver on this list, Dixon has 52 IndyCar Series wins in his career along with an astounding 130 podium finishes. During the 2022 IndyCar Series campaign, Dixon was able to notch two wins during the season and finish third in the points standings. One of the most consistent drivers ever, Dixon is a strong bet to make things interesting in Indianapolis.
As noted above, Palau is the 2021 IndyCar Series champion and is the first Spanish racing driver to win a national championship in American open-wheel racing history. After winning the 2021 title, Palou has been adding to his IndyCar trophy case with five overall wins in the series. Coming off a win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Palou is in a great spot to achieve his 2021 heights.
The last racer spotlight on our list, Newgarden won the 2023 PPG 375 in Texas earlier this year and has been pushing as one of the leading drivers in the sport for years now. With 26 wins in his pro career, he is destined a potential Hall of Fame career if he can keep up the pace. In addition to his win in Texas, Newgarden has two other top-ten finishes this year.
Prediction: Another wide-open competition, take O’Ward to win here as one of the hottest hands in IndyCar racing.
After you are all dialed in regarding your bets on the Indianapolis 500, make sure to also check out the whole variety of different pages that SBS has for you to keep you motoring along. If you are a big fan of auto racing, then the SBS NASCAR betting sites guide is a great page to have dialed in as well. With both IndyCar and NASCAR occurring this whole summer, there will be plenty of opportunities to check out the latest betting markets. For a sport that is always on the go, our best betting apps breakdown is a great page to pair with as well. Here you can learn all about the nuances of mobile betting. On a final note, if you are perhaps interested in seeing what kind of different ways to make your deposits and withdrawals, the SBS payment methods rundown is a must-read.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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