95th Indianapolis 500 Preview and Pick
The 2011 Indianapolis 500 is upon us and now is time to focus of the drivers who have the best chance at tasting milk in Victory Row on Sunday afternoon. The Indy 500 is not a race in which an extreme underdog sneaks up and steals the race…(usually)
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2011 Indianapolis 500
Race Date: Sunday, May 29, 2011
Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Ind.
Pre-Race Coverage: 11AM ET
Green Flag: Noon ET
TV Coverage: ABC
The Indianapolis 500 will take place Sunday, May 29 from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at Noon ET. This year’s field is wide open as per usual but the winner will likely come from one of the common names in Indy Car Racing. Let’s take a look at some of the players and which of them should emerge victorious.
The Favorites
Dario Franchitti +350 – Indy 500: 7 starts, best start 3rd, 2 wins (2007, 2010), 27 career Indycar wins
Dario Franchitti has emerged as the oddsmakers co-favorite for the big race and rightfully so. He is a two-time winner of the Indy 500 as he won the title in 2007 and 2010 and has failed to finish outside of the Top Seven in any of his last five starts at the Big Race. This season, Franchitti has one win and has finished in the Top Four of each of the Indy Car races so far. He is in top form and boasts one of the better teams in the land.
Scott Dixon +350 – Indy 500: 8 starts, 1 pole, 1 win (2008), 25 career Indycar wins
Dixon is also a former winner of the Race but has recently taken a backseat to his own teammate Dario Franchitti. But this season it has been Helio Castroneves that has been the major thorn in his side. Dixon should be the most motivated car in the race – he would love to gain the upper hand on Franchitti and would love to rub a victory in the nose of Castroneves.
Dixon has been terrific at the Indy 500 but has really struggled so far in the Indycar series – finishing second once and finishing outside the Top 10 in the other three races. Dixon will start on the first row on Sunday but at +350, it might be best to look elsewhere.
The Other Contenders
Alex Tagliani +550
Tagliani is a true veteran of the sport and won the pole for the Big Race. Impressive indeed! But consider that he has never finished better than 10th in this race. Although the pole sitter has fared well traditionally in this race, when push comes to shove, Tagliani is likely just another chaser.
Will Power +600
Known as one of the best road course drivers on the circuit, Power would love to prove that he is equally dangerous on the Oval. If there is anyone deserving of a win at the 500 it is Power – he has won two of the four races on the IRL circuit this season and he finished second in another.
The Best Value
Helio Castroneves +1000 – Indy 500: 10 starts, 4 poles, 3 wins (2001, 2002, 2009), 25 career Indycar wins
Castroneves has had a rough start to the IRL season but if anyone can bounce back it is the veteran and Indy 500 Dominator Castroneves. He has won the race three times and has a chance to tie some legitimate legends in the sport with his fourth win at the Race. He has experience, confidence on this track and a strong motivated team on Sunday – at +1000 he`s certainly worth a look!
Tony Kanaan +2500 – Indy 500: 9 starts, 1 pole, best start 2nd, 15 career Indycar wins
Kanaan has had issues finding a ride but now that he has one, he could emerge in a race that he has traditionally run well at but has had some terrible luck. Kanaan will be looking to impress his new team – a group that has looked good in previous 500`s. Kanaan will be motivated on Sunday and could be prime for a major surprise!
The Winner: Dario Franchitti +350 looks like the man to beat on Sunday – he is on quite a role and he absolutely loves this track.
Tony Kanaan +2500 is also worth a sprinkle if you are into throwing down on a couple of racers. +2500 is something that I just can`t pass up!
Indianapolis 500 Odds from Bodog.com
Alex Tagliani +550
Bertraud Baguette +10000
Dan Wheldon +1000
Danica Patrick +2500
Dario Franchitti +350
Ed Carpenter +4000
Graham Rahal +7500
Helio Castroneves +1000
John Andretti +10000
Justin Wilson +10000
Marco Andretti +3000
Oriol Servia +700
Paul Tracy +5000
Ryan Briscoe +1500
Scott Dixon +350
Simona De Silvestro +10000
Takuma Sato +10000
Tomas Scheckter +5000
Tony Kanaan +2500
Townsend Bell +2000
Vitor Meira +5000
Will Power +600
Field (Any Other Driver) +1000
Starting Grid
Row 1: Alex Tagliani, Scott Dixon, Oriol Servia
Row 2: Townsend Bell, Will Power, Dan Wheldon
Row 3: Buddy Rice, Ed Carpenter, Dario Franchitti
Row 4: Takuma Sato, Vitor Meira, J.R. Hildebrand
Row 5: James Hinchcliffe, Bertrand Baguette, Davey Hamilton
Row 6: Helio Castroneves, John Andretti, E.J. Viso
Row 7: Bruno Junquiera, Justin Wilson, Jay Howard
Row 8: Tomas Scheckter, Tony Kanaan, Simona De Silvestro
Row 9: Paul Tracy, Danica Patrick, Ryan Briscoe
Row 10: Marco Andretti, Charlie Kimball, Graham Rahal
Row 11: Alex Lloyd, Pippa Mann, Ana Beatriz
