The anticipation is palpable for the upcoming 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. This classic race, a staple of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, will feature 33 cars competing over 200 laps with one driver set to claim the coveted victory and a bottle of milk in Victory Lane. Historically, winners usually emerge from the top 19 positions on the starting grid, a trend that has sustained for 38 consecutive races. However, as always, the unpredictability of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway holds the potential for surprising outcomes.
Top Contenders for Victory
Several drivers stand out as strong contenders in this year’s race:
- Josef Newgarden (No. 2 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet): Starting from 23rd, Newgarden is a two-time winner and has four top-five finishes in seven recent Indy starts. His experience on oval tracks, combined with practice session dominance, positions him well.
- Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet): After a troubled past race, McLaughlin starts ninth. He aims to improve upon his inconsistent Indianapolis results, recalling Team Penske’s strong record on this iconic track.
- Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet): Starting sixth, O’Ward has finished as a runner-up twice in recent years and brings his racing experience to the forefront, despite needing a backup car after a crash during practice.
- Scott Dixon (No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda): A six-time champion, Dixon starts 10th and aims to secure his second Indianapolis 500 win after last winning back in 2008. He leads all active drivers with 25 career oval wins.
- Alex Palou (No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda): Starting from pole, Palou has had an impressive start to the season, winning three of the first six races. His consistency in previous Indianapolis 500s grants him the title of the favorite.
Potential Underdogs and Sleepers
While the favorites have strong narratives, several underdogs could also surprise this year:
- David Malukas (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet): After finishing second last year, Malukas is showing promising speed and starts third. He could become the fifth driver since 1967 to win his first series victory at the 500.
- Santino Ferrucci (No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet): Ferrucci has never finished outside the top 10 in his seven Indianapolis starts, demonstrating consistent performance that could propel him to victory.
- Alexander Rossi (No. 20 Java House Chevrolet): A former winner in 2016, Rossi starts second despite injuries sustained in practice. His experience may play a significant role in his pursuit of a second title.
- Christian Rasmussen (No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet): After showing steady improvement in his rookie years, Rasmussen aims for a strong finish, potentially making a leap into the top ranks.
- Conor Daly (No. 23 DRR Kingspan Chevrolet): Daly is optimistic about his current car, having secured multiple top-10 finishes in recent Indianapolis 500 races.
The Stage is Set
As the 110th Indianapolis 500 approaches, the narrative of top contenders and underdogs is set to unfold on race day. Fans can tune in at 10 a.m. ET on FOX and cheer for their favorites as they battle for glory at one of racing’s most prestigious events.
