Indy 500 Betting Guide & 2022 Odds
The Indy 500 is considered by many to be the most thrilling event in racing, and one of the largest sporting events in Indiana – not just by a mile, but by 500. This excitement has significantly increased in the state now that Indiana sportsbooks allow betting on it, both in-person and online.
Indiana offers numerous betting options for auto racing, which increase dramatically for America’s premier motor race. Continue reading for a comprehensive overview of all your Indy 500 betting possibilities, including specifics about the 2022 race, where to place bets, this year’s Indy 500 odds, and detailed instructions on how to bet using online sportsbooks in Indiana immediately.
Top Indiana Betting Sites for the Indy 500
When will the 2022 Indianapolis 500 take place?
- Race: Gainbridge presents the 106th Indianapolis 500
- Track: IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
- Address: 4790 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222
- Capacity: The highest-capacity sports venue in the world, accommodating 257,325 people.
- Sunday, May 29, 2022: Race Day
- Miles: 500
- Laps: 200
- Drivers: 33
- Practice: May 17-20
- Qualifying for the Pole Armed Forces: May 21 and 22
- May 27, 2021: Miller Lite Carb Day
- Firestone Presents Legends: May 28, 2022
- Defending Champion: Helio Castroneves from Meyer Shank Racing
In 2021, Helio Castroneves secured his fourth Indy 500 victory.
The famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway is set to host the 106th Indianapolis 500, presented by Gainbridge, on Sunday, May 29, 2022, during the Memorial Day Weekend.
Many of the “Race Day Reserved Seats” are already sold out, but tickets can still be purchased via the IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com website.
Favorites and Participants for the 2022 Indy 500
The following teams and drivers are anticipated to compete as part of the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season, which includes the Indy 500:
- J. Foyt Enterprises Team (Chevrolet)
- Driver: Sébastien Bourdais (France)
- Team: Andretti Autosport (Honda)
- Colton Herta (United States): Driver
- Alexander Rossi, a driver from the United States.
- Ryan Hunter-Reay (United States) is the driver.
- Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport Team (Honda)
- Driver: To Be Announced
- Team: Arrow McLaren (Chevrolet)
- Driver: Patricio O'Ward (Mexico)
- Driver: Felix Rosenqvist (Sweden)
- Chip Ganassi Racing Team (Honda)
- Driver: Marcus Ericsson (Sweden)
- Scott Dixon, a driver from New Zealand.
- Driver: Ãlex Palou (Spain)
- Jimmie Johnson (United States) is the driver.
- Driver: Tony Kanaan (Brazil)
- Ed Carpenter Racing Team (Chevrolet)
- Driver: Rinus VeeKay (Netherlands)
- Meyer Shank Racing Team (Honda)
- Driver: Hélio Castroneves (Brazil)
- Jack Harvey (United Kingdom) is the driver.
- Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Team (Honda)
- Graham Rahal (United States) is the driver.
- Driver: Takuma Sato (Japan)
- Team: Team Penske (Chevrolet)
- Josef Newgarden (United States) is the driver.
- Driver: Will Power (Australia)
- Driver: Simon Pagenaud (France)
- Scott McLaughlin is a driver from New Zealand.
The 2022 Indy 500 will feature a conventional starting field of 33 cars. This implies that the race will have at minimum twelve entries exclusive to Indy. These Indy-only entries might include:
- Adding an additional car and driver to the existing team.
- A team assembled part-time solely for the Indy or selected races.
- Indy car drivers with experience or drivers from other racing series
- Ex-Indy car drivers competing on a part-time basis only
- Past Indy 500 champions are not driving full-time anymore.
The leading contenders to triumph in the 2022 Indy 500 are likely to be the current IndyCar Series Drivers’ Champion, Alex Palou, and the reigning Indy 500 champion, Helio Castroneves.
In other words, Alexander Rossi, Simon Pagenaud, and Will Power, all of whom are previous Indy 500 winners, are contenders in this year’s race.
Best Indy 500 Odds Enhancements and Promotions for 2023
Anticipate that the premier online sportsbooks in Indiana will provide a range of odds boosts, bonuses and promos for the 2021 Indy 500. Let’s review what three such sportsbooks in Indiana offered for the Indy 500 in 2020:
1. PointsBet Sportsbook – Bet $20, win $100 if your driver completes one lap
The promotion practically equated to free money, which explains why it sounded so. The only requirement was to deposit a minimum of $20 and place a minimum bet of $20 on any driver to win.
As long as the driver finished one lap, PointsBet would give you a $100 bonus. Naturally, if the driver won the race, you received payment based on the advertised Indy 500 betting odds. This was particularly enjoyed by those who bet on Takuma Sato, as his odds were approximately +1600 before the race.
2. Unibet – $25 Money-back guarantee
Last year, at Unibet Sportsbook, if you placed a bet on any driver to win the race and they didn’t win but finished in the top five, you were compensated with up to $25 in site credit.
3. DraftKings Sportsbook – Odds boost
In 2020, DraftKings Sportsbook opted for the traditional odds boost approach, raising the odds on polesitter Marco Andretti to +875.
Instructions for Betting on the Indy 500
Wagering on the Indy 500 could potentially be the simplest thing you ever undertake. Yet, if you wish, you have the opportunity to delve into more complex betting with a variety of Indy 500 props and live betting choices. Indiana’s online and mobile sportsbooks offer the following basic race bets for the Indy 500:
- Outrights: Simply choose your preferred driver to win and place your bet at the odds currently listed.
- Betting Options: Choose one driver from a group of two or more. Wagers on the driver who finishes first in the group are rewarded.
- Podium (Top 3): Select a driver to place in the top three at lower odds compared to outright bets.
- Proposition Bets: Place bets on various aspects of the race, not just the final result. Possible propositions could include: Quickest lap time, The manufacturer of the winning vehicle, Count of caution periods or laps under caution, Total number of cars finishing the race, Driver who leads the most laps, Total number of laps led by the victor, Count of lead changes, Nationality of the winner.
- Futures: Weeks or months before the race, outright bets are placed.
- Live betting involves placing basic race bets after the race has started, with the odds fluctuating based on the events on the track. Live betting for the Indy 500 could also introduce new types of bets and advanced wagering options, including the possibility to bet on individual laps.
Beginner’s Guide to Betting on the Indy 500
Successful betting on the Indy 500 doesn’t require any secret. Simply conduct some research on the race, the teams, and the drivers participating. This will quickly transition you from making guesses to making well-informed and educated Indy 500 picks.
Also, these three fundamental betting tips for Indy 500 should be helpful:
- Distribute your wealth: None of the 33 racers in the Indy 500 are ever deemed a clear favorite to win. This implies that the odds for most driver outrights and futures are usually high, giving you the opportunity to place bets on several drivers in these markets and still be profitable if one of them wins.
- Adopt a conservative approach or risk losing it all: The myriad of props and live betting markets available for the Indy 500 race create multiple betting prospects. It’s simple to fall into the trap of staking excessively and spreading your bankroll too thinly across these markets. Seasoned bettors will vouch that this is a quick route to bankruptcy. Rather, consider exploring these markets with smaller wagers that won’t deplete your funds.
- Homework is key: The Indy 500 is a massive event that garners extensive coverage from sports journalists and broadcasters. This ensures easy access to a wealth of information about the current year’s race, leaving no room for ignorance. As emphasized earlier, even minimal research can transform your predictions into informed and educated choices. So, invest time in doing your homework to enjoy the benefits.
All-time greatest moments and drivers of the Indy 500
In anticipation of the 2016 Indianapolis 500’s 100th anniversary, the Associated Press conducted a survey among the 27 living race winners at that time. They were asked about the most unforgettable moments and drivers in the race’s history. Here are the findings:
- A. J. Foyt, a four-time Indy 500 winner, is considered by his contemporaries as the greatest driver in Indy 500 history. Yet, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears, who are also four-time winners of the Indy 500, are not far behind.
- The Indy 500 champions believe that Al Unser Jr.’s victory over Scott Goodyear in 1992, which was the tightest finish ever, was the most impressive race in the history of Indy 500. Other noteworthy races include Al Unser Jr. triumphing over Emerson Fittipaldi in 1989 and Sam Hornish Jr. overtaking Michael Andretti just before the finish line in 2006. These races are also considered to be among the greatest.
- A small majority of previous champions stated that their initial Indy 500 experience was more unforgettable than their first victory, even if that experience was merely watching the race and not participating in it. However, the remaining champions maintained that their first win will forever be their most cherished Indy 500 memory.
- Nearly half of the previous winners identified advanced safety measures as the most significant innovations in the Indy 500. This race was the first to introduce rear-view mirrors and began using seatbelts in 1922. Former winners also highlight the introduction of SAFER barriers as a major Indy 500 advancement.
- What is the most cherished tradition at the Indy 500? Undeniably, it’s the champion chugging a bottle of milk. Previous champions have highlighted the uniqueness of this tradition as the reason it tops the list. However, some argue that the rendition of “Back Home Again in Indiana†is the standout tradition, while others champion the Borg-Warner Trophy or the three-wide starting grid.
- The former champions have voted Michael Andretti as the best driver who has never won the Indy 500. He received 17 out of 27 votes, with Lloyd Ruby coming in second with four votes. Andretti referred to this distinction as an unfortunate honor.
- According to past winners, the greatest rivalry in the history of the Indy 500 is between A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti. Many also stated that any race involving Foyt could be considered a rivalry, as he was the competitor to beat throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
- Tony Hulman is regarded by most drivers as the most significant non-driver in the race’s century-long history. He was instrumental in reviving the race and the track after they were neglected during World War II. Roger Penske closely follows Hulman in importance. Penske’s teams have achieved 18 victories and he is currently the owner of the track.
Indy 500 Winners List
Here’s an overview of the last ten Indy 500 champions along with the odds that were placed on them to win before the race:
| Year | Drivers | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Helio Castroneves | +3,000 |
| 2020 | Takuma Sato | +1600 |
| 2019 | Simon Pagenaud | +800 |
| 2018 | Will Power | +1000 |
| 2017 | Takuma Sato | +1500 |
| 2016 | Alexander Rossi | +2000 |
| 2015 | Juan Pablo Montoya | +550 |
| 2014 | Ryan Hunter-Reay | +1200 |
| 2013 | Tony Kanaan | +1500 |
| 2012 | Dario Franchitti | +900 |
| 2011 | Dan Wheldon | +1000 |
| 2010 | Dario Franchitti | +450 |
A Short Overview of the Indianapolis 500’s History
The inaugural Indianapolis 500 took place in 1911 and was won by Ray Harroun.
Ever since its inception, the Indy 500 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where it is held, have been recognized as auto racing’s most famous race and venue.
Often touted as the greatest spectacle in racing, the race draws its appeal from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, commonly known as The Brickyard. On a typical race day, this venue attracts an impressive crowd of around a quarter-million spectators.
The 500-mile race, involving 200 laps around a 2.5-mile oval track, features open-wheel and open-cockpit Indy cars, exposing the drivers to significant risk. The Indy Car Racing format takes its name from this prestigious event.
The track, known as The Brickyard due to its partial brick surfacing, boasts over 250,000 seats, making it the world’s largest sports venue in terms of capacity.
Several traditions are linked to the Indy 500, such as the pre-race singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana,” the race winner celebrating with a bottle of milk, and the race commencing with 33 drivers arranged on a ten-row grid, three-wide.
Trivia and Traditions of Indy 500
The tradition of the Indianapolis 500 winner drinking milk in Victory Lane dates back to 1936. This custom started when Indy 500 champion Louis Meyer chose milk as his drink, as his mother suggested it would be the most refreshing on a hot day.
The tradition of singing “Back Home Again in Indiana” just prior to the commencement of the race dates back to 1946. Although it is not the state song of Indiana, it embodies the essence of Indiana as much as any song can.
From 1972 to 2014, the late actor, singer, and comedian Jim Nabors, along with the Purdue Marching Band, usually led the crowd in singing the song. Since 2017, the anthem singer for the Chicago Blackhawks, Jim Cornelison, has taken over this duty.
All three, J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr., and Rick Mears, have won the Indy 500 races four times.
Three victories have been claimed by seven drivers, however, only Hélio Castroneves from Brazil, who races for Meyer Shank Racing, is still active.
Takuma Sato (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing), the winner of the 2020 Indy 500, has two wins, a record matched by nine other inactive drivers.
Roger Penske, who now owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has achieved 18 team victories at the Indy 500. His first win was in 1972, and his latest was in 2019.
At the Indy 500, the driver who records the fastest lap time in qualifying gets to start in the best position on a distinctive grid of three-wide ten rows. Being able to start in the first row is a benefit.
Drivers who started in pole position have secured victory in 21 Indy 500 races. Those who started in the second and third positions have won 11 and 12 races respectively. Therefore, nearly half of all Indy 500 races have been triumphed by drivers who started from the first row.
Ten rookies have won the Indy 500 to date. The most recent rookie winners were Juan Pablo Montoya from Colombia in 2000, Hélio Castroneves from Brazil in 2001, and Alexander Rossi from America in 2016.
In 2013, Tony Kanaan from Brazil, representing KV Racing Technology, set the record for the fastest Indy 500 time ever. He covered the 500-mile distance in 2:40:03.4181, maintaining an average speed of 187.433 miles per hour.
In 1989, Al Unser Jr. and Emerson Fittipaldi were in a tight race for the lead on the 199th lap when their wheels collided. This caused Unser to spin out and crash into the outside wall, enabling Fittipaldi to easily secure the victory.
In 1994, about five years later, Fittipaldi and Unser were on the same team. Fittipaldi was leading with Unser close behind in second, and during lap 184, Unser attempted to overtake him. Regrettably, Fittipaldi lost control after running over the rumble strips on the inside, causing him to crash into the outside wall. This allowed Unser to easily secure the victory.