Sports betting fans will notice a change in the Indy 500 next month as the qualifying has changed. The top nine qualifiers will now race in a “shootout” to decide who gets the pole for the Indianapolis 500. It should be exciting and add some intrigue to the sports betting online odds.
Sports betting odds on IndyCar action is exciting each year on the Indianapolis 500. This year the excitement starts a little earlier as qualifying takes place over two days and includes the shootout. On Pole Day, the top 24 spots will be filled with the remaining nine spots to be filled on Bump Day. This year’s Indianapolis 500 will be held on Sunday, May 30th as Helio Castroneves looks to defending his title.
The pole will be won by the winner of a new nine-driver shootout on the first day of qualifying. Qualifying will have all drivers getting a shot to make the field on Saturday, May 22nd. The top 24 drivers will be guaranteed spots with positions 10 through 24 set. The final 90 minutes of Pole Day will have the top nine drivers fighting it out for the pole. Their previous times will be wiped out and the fastest driver in a four-lap run will win the pole. The prize money for the pole will be increased from $100,000 to $175,000.
Sports betting fans will be ready for Sunday, May 23rd as that will be Bump Day with the final nine positions in the 33-car field up for grabs. “This new format for Indianapolis 500 qualifying will deliver even more action and intensity for fans,” said Indianapolis Motor Speedway boss Jeff Belskus. “Drivers will go all out during the first session on Pole Day to get a chance to make a run for the pole. Then they’ll need to dig even deeper to find the speed for the pole in the last 90 minutes. Plus there still will be plenty of spots up for grabs on Bump Day, with all of the dramatic, last-minute bumping that generations of fans have loved about Indy.”
Qualifying for the Indy 500 does get a lot of sports betting online attention from the media and his new shootout formula should be popular. “This is going to be a fantastic weekend of qualifying. I can’t wait to see it unfold.” Belskus said.