The Indy 500 is just over a week away and online sports betting attention will be on qualifying this weekend as the positions are set. One of the favorites in offshore sports betting could be Scott Dixon who has already topped 226 miles per hour in practice.
Online sports betting odds currently list Dixon as the 2-1 favorite to win the Indy 500. Helio Castroneves is the second choice at about 3-1 followed by Dario Franchitti and Ryan Briscoe. In practice a couple of drivers to watch have been Mario Moraes who was under 226 miles per hour and Alex Tagliani. Drivers that have struggled in practice are Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick.
Qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 is different this year and that may affect the online sports betting odds. The track is open one week later than in past years and qualifying takes place over two days instead of four. This Saturday there will be 24 of the 33 spots on the line. The fastest nine times of the 24 qualifiers will get the top nine spots but they have to re-qualify with their times wiped out. Those nine will be required to make at least one four-lap qualifying attempt, with one additional attempt if they need one. That qualifying run will determine their starting position among the top nine spots. On Sunday the last nine spots will be filled and then bumping will begin as drivers try and beat the time for the last car in the field.
This year there will be a $175,000 bonus for winning the pole. The second spot will get a $75,000 bonus and the third spot gets a $50,000 bonus. There are also more points awarded in the Indy 500 than in other Indy Car series races. Normally bonus points are awarded with just one point going to the pole winner, one for the fastest lap and 50 for the race win. In the Indy 500 it will be 15 points going to the pole winner, second fastest gets 13 points and the third-quickest gets 12 points. Those qualifying behind get points from 11-6 and then down to 4 and three points.
“The rewards of the qualifying format help to make the Indianapolis 500 the most important race on the IZOD Indy Car Series schedule,” Brian Barnhart, president of competition and racing operations for the Indy Racing League, said.