Indy 500 Odds: Kyle Larson 7/1 for first leg of historic double

The highlight of the US motorsport calendar, the Indianapolis 500, takes place on Sunday, and the field looks as competitive as ever.

After a month of practice and qualifying around the 2.5-mile oval circuit, the entrants have been whittled down to a field of 33 starters, eight of whom have tasted victory in the Brickyard showpiece before.

The race is steeped in history and tradition, and there are a couple of drivers in the field bidding for historical achievements this weekend.

Helio Castroneves is currently tied with AJ Foyt, Al Unser Sr and Rick Mears on four wins in the 500, and the Brazilian starts 20th on the grid in his latest bid for a record fifth win in the race.

Nearer the head of the field, NASCAR series leader Kyle Larson starts fifth for his IndyCar debut, and will be jetting to Charlotte, North Carolina to compete in the Coca Cola 600 NASCAR race straight after the 500.

Indianapolis 500 Odds

Scott McLaughlin

New Zealander Scott McLaughlin is in his fourth full season of IndyCar racing and is rated a 5/1 chance for Brickyard glory after topping qualifying.

The 30-year-old recorded an average speed of 234.220mph across his four-lap run and will get the inside line into turn one for the first of the 200 laps.

Pole position is no guarantee of success in an eventful 500-mile race. Simon Pagenaud converted pole to victory in 2019, but only one pole-sitter since then has finished in the top ten in the race.

McLaughlin has won five IndyCar races in his career, but has a poor record in the Indy 500. In his three previous appearances his best finish is 14th, and while the Penske driver looks in better shape this year, that has to be a concern.

Josef Newgarden

Last year's winner Josef Newgarden gets a 5/1 quote to become the first back-to-back victor since Castroneves in 2001 & 2002.

In 2023, Newgarden pounced on leader Marcus Ericsson at a restart with half a lap remaining, denying the Swede a second win in the race in as many years.

Newgarden started 17th before taking that victory, so his claims are obvious after a much better qualifying this year sees him start on the outside of the front row.

Unlike pole-sitter McLaughlin, the American has a solid Indy 500 pedigree, boasting five other top-ten finishes along with his victory, and Newgarden looks sure to post another strong performance.

Kyle Larson

While there are plenty of established IndyCar stars in the field, the majority of media attention will be focused on series debutant Larson.

The NASCAR championship leader will become the fifth driver to attempt Double Duty - competing in the Indy 500 and then the Coca Cola 600 on the same day.

Only Tony Stewart in 2001 has ever managed to complete the full 1,100 miles of both races in one day, finishing sixth at Indy and third in Charlotte.

Larson seems to have taken well to the very different machinery, qualifying fifth fastest, and the Californian is shown plenty of respect in the market at 7/1.

Will Power

Two time IndyCar champion Will Power is a 7/1 chance to pick up his second win in the Indianapolis 500.

The Australian veteran, who won the race in 2018, qualified second, and is having an admirably consistent season. Power has finished second in three of the four championship races so far, and sits second in the overall standings, 12 points behind Alex Palou.

Like his fellow front-row starters, Power is part of the Penske stable and they clearly have their cars dialled in to the circuit, but the Aussie's best finish in the race in the four years since his win has been 14th.

Pato O'Ward

The fifth and final runner priced at single-figure odds is Mexican Pato O'Ward at 8/1.

The McLaren F1 reserve driver has a superb record at Indy, earning rookie of the year plaudits when finishing sixth in 2020, and he came home fourth and second the following two years.

O'Ward led the most laps last season, leading the field with eight laps to go until he crashed out shortly after a restart.

Starting fifth on the grid this year, the 25-year-old is entitled to plenty of respect.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.