Expert prediction
Indianapolis 500 Picks and Betting Preview (May 24)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- When: Sunday, May 24, 2026 @ 12:45 PM ET
- Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana
- How to Watch: FOX
One of the most prestigious motor races on the calendar is set for this weekend, as the opening leg of the Triple Crown of Motorsport is set for Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A grueling 500-mile distance stands between drivers and their shot at immortality, and you can find the odds and our Indianapolis 500 picks for 2026 here.
Odds
| Driver | Odds |
|---|---|
| Alex Palou | +280 |
| Pato O’Ward | +600 |
| David Malukas | +800 |
| Josef Newgarden | +900 |
| Conor Daly | +900 |
| Alexander Rossi | +900 |
| Scott McLaughlin | +1100 |
| Other Selections | +1200 & Bigger |
Indianapolis 500 Recent Winners
| Year | Winning Driver |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Alex Palou |
| 2024 | Josef Newgarden |
| 2023 | Josef Newgarden |
| 2022 | Marcus Ericsson |
| 2021 | Helio Castroneves |
ALSO SEE: Preakness Stakes Picks – Horse Racing Odds, Betting Preview, and Predictions (May 16)
Event Preview
A standout date in the motorsport diary is set for May 24, as the Canadian Grand Prix, Coca-Cola 600, and Indianapolis 500 are all staged. The latter forms a leg of the Triple Crown of Motorsport, and it has been a prestigious date in the diary since it was first staged in 1911. Drivers will complete a total of 500 miles at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is covered by a total of 200 laps.
Alex Palou is a dominant favorite to become the seventh driver to win the race in back-to-back years. The Spaniard has already secured pole position after topping the time sheets in qualifying. There is little to dislike about his chances, as his dominant form at the start of the Indy Car series has been excellent, winning three of the opening six races.
However, the fact that only 21 previous pole sitters have won the race is a concern. Rookies have been interesting contenders in the past, with ten winners winning the Indy 500 on their debut appearance. Mick Schumacher, son of legendary F1 driver Michael, will be making his debut. Meanwhile, Dennis Haugher could be the most interesting in terms of rookies, as he leads the Rookie of the Year Award by over 20 points.
Josef Newgarden could be overlooked in the betting after winning two of the previous three editions of the race. However, a poor qualifying has given him a mountain to climb.
Alexander Rossi was the last rookie to win on debut, but his preparation for the race on Sunday has been hit following a heavy crash in practice. Katherine Legge will be one of the stories to watch this weekend, as the Brit attempts to become the first woman to complete ‘The Double’. Only five drivers have completed the race distance in the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600, with Kyle Larson failing in his attempts in the last two years.
Indianapolis 500 Picks
The poor strike-rate of pole sitters is hard to overlook, considering the short price of Palou. Therefore, Pato O’Ward could be a fascinating contender at the prices. The Mexican has a strong starting spot on the grid, and he has been in reliable form at the start of the season with top-five finishes in four of the opening six races. His consistent record in the Indy 500 should also be respected, finishing second in 2022 and 2024, and claiming third in the race 12 months ago.
Free Pick:
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