Indy 500: When it begins, tips on how to watch, betting odds for ‘The Best Spectacle in Racing’
The countdown is on for the 108th operating of the Indianapolis 500, when a discipline of 33 vehicles will cross the famed yard of bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Memorial Day weekend for what’s thought to be “The Best Spectacle in Racing.”
Josef Newgarden is the defending champion after he made a last-lap cross of Marcus Ericsson throughout a controversial end a 12 months in the past. The victory gave group proprietor Roger Penske his record-extending nineteenth victory within the iconic race.
Crew Penske arrived at Gasoline Alley this 12 months below a shadow, although. Penske suspended two senior group leaders and two engineers as punishment for a dishonest scandal that centered on Newgarden’s unlawful use of his automobile’s push-to-pass system in his March 10 victory. IndyCar stripped Newgarden of the win and teammate Scott McLaughlin of a third-place end.
Past the controversy, storylines abound: Can two-time and defending sequence champion Alex Palou lastly win the Indy 500 after coming shut the previous three years? How will NASCAR star Kyle Larson fare in his Indy 500 debut, and can he have the ability to get to North Carolina in time to race within the Coca-Cola 600 the identical night time? Can Helio Castroneves win a document fifth Indy 500?
When is the Indy 500?
The inexperienced flag falls for the Indianapolis 500 at 12:45 p.m. EDT on Could 26, the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
Follow periods have been scheduled for Could 15-17, full-field qualifying is Could 18 and the pole shootout is Could 19, adopted by one other apply day Could 20. The ultimate apply, often called Carb Day, takes place Could 24, together with the pit-stop problem and different festivities. The annual Indy 500 parade is Could 25.
How can I watch the Indy 500?
Indy 500 practices, together with Carb Day, and full-field qualifying shall be streamed on Peacock. The pole shootout on Could 19 shall be televised on NBC. Race protection Could 26 begins with pre-race motion on NBC, Peacock and Universo at 11 a.m.
Who ought to I watch within the Indy 500?
There shall be loads of eyes on Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Collection champion who’s attempting to hitch Tony Stewart as the one drivers ever to finish “the double,” ending each lap of the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the identical day. A number of have tried over time, most just lately Kurt Busch in 2014, however the process has confirmed to be among the many most grueling in motorsports.
Newgarden and 2018 winner Will Energy shall be attempting to present group proprietor Roger Penske his twentieth victory on the observe he now owns together with the IndyCar Collection itself. Their teammate, McLaughlin, would like to do the identical factor by successful for the primary time.
Castroneves can break a tie with A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears for essentially the most wins together with his fifth. Two-time sequence champ Alex Palou is chasing his first win. So are Marco Andretti and Graham Rahal, whose fathers each raced within the Indy 500.
Who’re the Indy 500 betting favorites?
Alex Palou, who was second in 2021 and fourth final 12 months, is the favourite at 4-1, in response to BetMGM Sportsbook. Larson is the 13-2 second option to win the Indy 500 in his debut. They’re adopted by Pato O’Ward (7-1) and Josef Newgarden (9-1).
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