2008 Indy 500 Odds
Written May 20, 2008 by Jack Jones
The 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 is less than a week away and we are going to take a look at some of the drivers with the best odds to win this weekend. The race is set to get underway Sunday May 25th in one of the most historic sports venues, Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Last season Dario Franchitti took the checkered flag, but will not be defending this weekend. The Indy 500 is the biggest IRL racing event of the year and we thought it would be a good idea to take a look at some of the drivers with the best odds of winning this weekend, along with a complete list of every driver’s odds to win the event. Here is a look at the top contenders this weekend at the Indy 500.
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Dan Wheldon 9-2 at Sportsbook.com
Dan Wheldon is the last guy in the field to win this event as he won the event back in 2005. We already mentioned that last year’s winner Franchitti isn’t going to be there, but 2006 winner Sam Hornish Jr. is not in the race as well. The makes Wheldon a big threat to enter victory lane and win another Indy 500. Wheldon is part of Target Chip Ganassi Racing and is currently sitting in 3rd in the point standings. So far in 2008 Wheldon has 3 top 5 finishes and 1 win in just 4 starts. Wheldon is a safe pick this weekend at the Indy 500.
Helio Castroneves 9-2 at Sportsbook.com
Castroneves is coming off a 3rd place finish last year, and is no stranger to victory lane here at the Indy 500. Castroneves won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002. Castroneves has been solid in 2008 with four top 5 finishes, but has yet to be the first guy across the finish line. Even without the win Castroneves is the points leader and team Penske couldn’t be happier. Castroneves is another big threat to win this weekend.
Scott Dixon 3-1 at Sportsbook.com
Dixon is part of the Target Chip Ganassi team, and is currently 2nd in the point standings. Dixon was the runner up last year at the Indy 500 and would love nothing more to come out on top this time. Dixon won the first race of the season at Homestead- Miami Speedway, but had troubles in his next race with mechanical issues and a 22nd place finish at the Streets of St. Petersburg. He followed that up with two 3rd place finishes and he should be ready to have a solid race this weekend.
Tony Kanaan 5-1 at Sportsbook.com
Being part of Andretti Green Racing is a privilege in its own right, and Kanaan is a very solid driver that has a good shot at pulling out a win at the Indy 500. Kanaan’s first ever start came here at Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the Indy 500 back in 2002. Kanaan had a series best 5 victories last season, and has a good start to the 2008 season with 3 top 5 finishes this year.
Marco Andretti 7-1 at Sportsbook.com
This is a third-generation driver that is rising up the IRL ranks at a pretty quick pace, but that should be no surprise given that he is the grandson of racing legend Mario Andretti and the son of team owner and a pretty solid driver himself Michael Andretti. As you might have guessed this is another driver that is part of the Andretti Green racing team, and there is no doubt this kid has a shot at joining the family legacy with a win here at the Indy 500.
Danica Patrick 10-1 at Sportsbook.com
Even though she might be a woman there is no reason to think that Patrick can’t win this race. She is easily the best woman driver of our time, and is yet another member of Andretti Green Racing with a shot to win this weekend. Patrick has been up and down this season, but was able to get her first career win just two races ago at the Twin Ring Motegi. Also it’s worth mentioning that Patrick finished 8th in last year’s Indy 500.
So there you have it, some of the big time contenders that have a great shot at winning the Indy 500. If you are looking to make a bet on this race be sure to head over to Sportsbook.com and get an account up an running today. As always feel free to leave any comments in our comment box.
Here is a list of each driver’s odds to win the Indy 500.
AJ Foyt IV 100 - 1
Buddy Rice 50 - 1
Dan Wheldon 9 - 2
Danica Patrick 10 - 1
Ed Carpenter 75 - 1
Ernesto Viso 100 - 1
Graham Rahal 50 - 1
Helio Castroneves 9 – 2
Hideki Mutoh 35 - 1
Justin Wilson 75 - 1
Marco Andretti 7 - 1
Oriol Servia 100 - 1
Ryan Briscoe 12 - 1
Ryan Hunter-Reay 50 - 1
Scott Dixon 3 - 1
Tomas Scheckter 25 - 1
Tony Kanaan 5 - 1
Vitor Meira 30 - 1
Will Power 100 - 1
zx Field (Any Other Driver) 5 - 1