The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 takes place on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. In sum, it features a full 33-car field of Dallara chassis with a near-even split of Chevrolet and Honda engines on Firestone tires over 200 laps of the 2.5-mile oval for 500 miles.
Namely, Alex Palou enters as the defending Indy 500 betting odds champion from 2025 and the dominant force in the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series. He leads the championship standings with multiple wins already this season and sits as the clear betting favorite.
The field includes nine past winners, such as Helio Castroneves, seeking more history. And then Josef Newgarden is aiming for a potential three-peat. Further serious contenders are Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Will Power, Takuma Sato, and Alexander Rossi. In addition, four rookies line up: Caio Collet, Jacob Abel, Dennis Hauger, and Mick Schumacher.
Finally, top teams include Chip Ganassi Racing, Team Penske, Arrow McLaren, Andretti Global, and others with strong oval programs.
2026 Indianapolis 500 Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Sunday, May 24, 2026, 10 AM ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana |
| TV Coverage: | Fox and streamed on Fox One/Fox Sports app |
| Betting Online Odds at SBG: | Click Here |
2026 Indianapolis 500 Overview
The 2026 Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. Coverage begins at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on Fox with the green flag dropping at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The race will be broadcast live on Fox and streamed on Fox One as well as available through the Fox Sports app and website.
2026 Indy 500 Top Contenders
At the onset, the top sports betting contenders for the 2026 Indianapolis 500 include Alex Palou as the clear favorite. He enters as the defending champion from 2025 with dominant form this season. Consider that he is leading the points standings with multiple wins and strong oval performance in Ganassi equipment.
Josef Newgarden ranks as a close second in the Indy 500 betting option. Caused by Penske’s oval expertise and a chance at a three-peat after prior victories. He has shown solid speed in practice and qualifying simulations.
Pato O’Ward remains a perennial threat for Arrow McLaren with consistent high finishes and strong practice speeds topping recent sessions. Additionally, Kyle Kirkwood sits second in the championship and has emerged as a betting value with recent momentum.
Scott Dixon secured the top spot in early qualifying order and brings unmatched experience with Ganassi. And then other strong options include David Malukas, Scott McLaughlin, and Christian Lundgaard. All have posted competitive speeds and sit high in standings.
Veterans like Helio Castroneves, Will Power, and Marcus Ericsson add depth along with Meyer Shank entries showing pace in practice. Certainly, the field features high parity with several drivers capable of contending given strategy cautions and drafting on race day.
2026 Indy 500 SBG Best Bets
To conclude, Palou stands out as the driver to beat due to his consistency, speed, and Ganassi equipment, which have translated well from road courses to ovals this year.
Next, Newgarden and Penske bring oval pedigree and recent success but face pressure after past controversies. Pato O’Ward, Kyle Kirkwood, and Scott McLaughlin offer strong upside for breakthroughs, especially with McLaren and Penske’s depth. Veterans like Dixon Power and Castroneves add experience that often proves decisive in the chaos of the 500. While rookies could surprise in a wide-open pack.
Finally, Alex Palou stands as the best bet to win the 2026 Indianapolis 500. He enters as the defending 2025 champion and current NTT IndyCar Series points leader, with dominant season-long form.
2026 Indy 500 SBG Best Bet: Alex Palou.