“The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” is finally here! The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place this weekend at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The practices are in the books, qualifying is over, and the 33rd car grid is locked, loaded, and ready for that famous three-wide start on Sunday. The green flag is set for 12:45 ET on Fox. Let’s dive in and take a look at the Indy 500 picks, odds, and best bets for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Defending champion, defending Indy 500 winner, and current series points leader Alex Palou claimed the coveted pole award for the 2026 Indianapolis 500. While most weeks that would make it a forgone conclusion he’s going to win, that’s not the case here. He is the heavy favorite, as he deserves to be. But it’s wide open, and we have a lot of great props and bets to get down on this week.
Alexander Rossi suffered a scary wreck during Monday’s practice that left him with procedures done on a finger on his left hand and his right ankle. He has been cleared to race and will start on the front row on Sunday. Katherine Legge becomes the oldest driver, first woman, and first non-American-born driver to attempt the “double.” She’ll run her #11 HMD Motorsports W/AJ Foyt Racing car in the 500, then head to Charlotte to race the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race in the Liv Fast Racing #78 car.
Indy 500 Odds to Win
Alex Palou +275
Pato O’Ward +700
David Malukas +800
Josef Newgarden +900
Alexander Rossi +1000
Connor Daly +1100
Scott McLaughlin +1300
Felix Rosenqvist +1400
Santino Ferrucci +1400
Scott Dixon +1750
Kyle Kirkwood +2500
Takuma Sato +2500
Ryan Hunter-Reay +3000
Christian Rasmussen +3000
Marcus Ericsson +3000
Helio Castroneves +3000
Rinus Veekay +4000
Will Power +4000
Christian Lundgaard +5000
Graham Rahal +5000
Kyffin Simpson +5000
Ed Carpenter +6000
Marcus Armstrong +6000
Caio Collet +7500
Romain Grosjean +10000
Dennis Hauger +15000
Jack Harvey +15000
Nolan Siegel +15000
Louis Foster +20000
Mock Schumacher +25000
Jacob Abel +50000
Katherine Legge +50000
Indy 500 Picks, Odds, and Best Bets: The 110th Indianapolis 500
Josef Newgarden Over Alexander Rossi (-150)
This one is a little more juiced than when I gave it out on the podcast earlier this week at -125, but it’s such a good play, I have to include it here. Alexander Rossi has had tremendous speed throughout the sessions leading up to the race this week. But as mentioned in the open, the Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet was destroyed. Will the backup be that in tune? It’s hard to completely trust it. Add to the fact that he’ll show up on Sunday on crutches because his right ankle is “non-weight bearing” after an outpatient procedure. He’s expected to go run 500-miles on that ankle, and with a finger injury.
Newgarden, on the other hand, is an absolute stud when it comes to not only this race but also IndyCar oval races in general. He had a fast hot rod last year, but had to settle for a disappointing 22nd-place finish. He won the previous two Indianapolis 500 races. Rossi has held his own with top-five finishes in three of the last four Indy 500’s. However, he’s lost three straight head-to-head matchups against Newgarden. Between the on-track record and the medical/physical concerns I have, give me Newgarden.
Santino Ferrucci Top 10 (-135)
Talk about bets to love for this Indianapolis 500. Santino Ferrucci has seven career starts in the Indy 500. He is seven for seven finishing inside the top 10. He’s done it with four different teams over his career; none of them were top-tier rides, but that hasn’t stopped him. He’s settled into his home here with AJ Foyt Enterprises in the #14 Chevrolet, and he’s made it look comfortable. The fiery competitor has chilled out just a little bit, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t find his way to another top 10 finish starting on the second row Sunday. At 14/1, I also love Ferrucci as an outright play; he puts himself in position and gives himself a chance.
David Malukas to Win (+800)
David Malukus is a name you’d better get to know quickly if you don’t already. He burst onto the scene in IndyCar and looked like one of the next top drivers as he signed with McLaren. Then, an off-season injury led to him losing that ride and sitting out the 2024 Indianapolis 500. He was able to get a ride in an AJ Foyt car last year, and crossed the finish line and thrived, being officially scored second after a disqualification ahead of him.
Now, he’s landed an even bigger and better ride in the #12 Verizon, Penske Chevrolet, and he’s looking to cash in. He’s been the best driver for The Captain, Roger Penske, in 2026 with five straight finishes of seventh or better. He has an impressive run at Phoenix, the only oval the series has been top so far this season, and he’s proven he can hang on in this race. Give me the young gun to come out on top.
Fueled by WIN THE RACE‘s Professional NASCAR Strategy Platform
More Racing Content
Be sure to tune into the NASCAR GAMBLING PODCAST for more bets for the NASCAR Cup, O’Reilly, and Truck Series, along with F1 and IndyCar bets, Underdog picks, DFS, and more! Join the Discord here.
