The Indianapolis 500, known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” is quickly approaching. On Memorial Day weekend, a field of 33 cars will compete at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Last year, Josef Newgarden emerged as the defending champion, making a controversial last-lap pass of Marcus Ericsson. This victory marked team owner Roger Penske’s 19th win in the iconic race. However, this year, Team Penske arrived at Gasoline Alley under a cloud of controversy.
Following a cheating scandal surrounding Newgarden’s illegal use of his car’s push-to-pass system in his March 10 victory, Penske suspended two senior team leaders and two engineers. As a result, IndyCar stripped Newgarden of the win and teammate Scott McLaughlin of a third-place finish. Despite this setback, there are plenty of exciting storylines heading into this year’s event.
One intriguing question is whether two-time and defending series champion Alex Palou can finally capture an Indy 500 victory after coming close in the past three years. Another point of interest is how NASCAR star Kyle Larson will fare in his Indy 500 debut and if he can make it to North Carolina in time for the Coca-Cola 600 on the same night. Furthermore, there is anticipation surrounding whether Helio Castroneves can clinch a record-breaking fifth Indy 500 win.
For those wondering when the Indy 500 will take place, the green flag will drop at 12:45 p.m. EDT on May 26, the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Prior to the race, there will be practice sessions from May 15-17, full-field qualifying on May 18, and the pole shootout on May 19. The day after the shootout, May 20, offers another practice session. On May 24, Carb Day, there will be a final practice along with the pit-stop challenge and other festivities. Additionally, the annual Indy 500 parade is scheduled for May 25.
To watch the Indy 500, fans can stream practices, including Carb Day, and full-field qualifying on Peacock. The pole shootout on May 19 will be televised on NBC. On May 26, race coverage will begin with pre-race action on NBC, Peacock, and Universo at 11 a.m.
As for the drivers to watch in the Indy 500, all eyes will be on Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, as he attempts to join Tony Stewart as the only drivers to complete “the double” – finishing every lap of both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. This feat has proven to be one of the most grueling challenges in motorsports, attempted by several drivers in the past, including Kurt Busch in 2014.
Newgarden and Will Power, the 2018 winner, will be aiming to secure Roger Penske’s 20th victory at the racetrack that he now owns, as well as the IndyCar Series itself. McLaughlin, their teammate, is also eager to achieve this milestone by claiming his first win. Meanwhile, Castroneves has the opportunity to break the record for the most wins in Indy 500 history with his fifth victory. Other drivers chasing their first win include Alex Palou, who has already won two series championships, Marco Andretti, and Graham Rahal.
For those interested in the betting favorites for the Indy 500, Alex Palou is the frontrunner with odds of 4-1 according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Larson follows closely behind with odds of 13-2 in his debut at the event. Pato O’Ward (7-1) and Josef Newgarden (9-1) round out the top contenders.
In summary, the Indianapolis 500 promises to deliver another thrilling race filled with intense competition and captivating storylines. With drivers vying for victory on one of the world’s most prestigious racetracks, fans can expect a spectacle like no other. From controversies to records, this year’s event has all the hallmarks of an unforgettable race. May 26 will be a day racing enthusiasts won’t want to miss.
Sources:
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing