One of the most well-known auto races in the world, the 2022 edition of the Indianapolis 500 (also known as the Indy 500) will be revved up and ready to go at the end of May. Four-time winner Hélio Castroneves is the reigning champion and will be looking to defend his title at the iconic speedway. Among this year’s favorites are Scott Dixon (selected as one of the 33 greatest drivers in Indianapolis 500 history), Colton Herta (youngest person ever to win an IndyCar Series race), Josef Newgarden (the 2019 IndyCar Series Champion) and Álex Palou (the 2021 Series champion).
Below, SBS will go into deeper detail regarding the top four drivers (in alphabetical order) that are favored to win the title at the Indy 500.
| Favorites to win 2022 Indianapolis 500 |  |
|---|---|
| Scott Dixon | +800 |
| Colton Herta | +800 |
| Josef Newgarden | +800 |
| Alex Palou | +800 |
One of the longest-tenured drivers in this field, the “Iceman” is one of the most consistent winners in IndyCar history. With 50 wins in his career, he ranks third all-time in American Championship Cars history for total wins. He has won the distinguished Jim Clark Trophy four times (with his last victory coming in 2019) and is currently in fourth place in the race for the IndyCar Series championship. With his last win coming last year at the 2021 Genesys 300 in Texas, Dixon will be looking to gain some much-need momentum in Indy.
A rising star in the sport, Herta has racing in his veins by being the son of IndyCar and Champ Car driver Bryan Herta. At only 22 years of age, Herta has already accrued six wins in his young racing career, but will be looking for his first-ever win at the Indy 500 later this month. His prior best finish at the race was back in 2020 when he finished in eighth place after starting in 10th. After finishing in fifth place during last year’s IndyCar Championship series, the young racer certainly will be looking for more later this month.
Recognized as the second-best driver in the 2022 IndyCar Series, Newgarden has been riding a hot streak this season. Already accruing two wins earlier this year at Long Beach and Fort Worth, the American racer is in prime position to take over the top of the leaderboard with a big performance at Indy. With 22 wins to his credit over the course of his career, Newgarden has found all kinds of ways to win during his tenure on the IndyCar circuit. Riding for Team Penske, the two-time IndyCar Series champion is still seeking his first Indy 500 victory, which could happen later this month.
The final racer spotlight on our list, Palau is another driver who has come close to winning the Indianapolis 500 before, but has not been first on the podium yet. The 2021 IndyCar Series champion, Palou finished in second place last year in Indy after starting out in sixth place at the beginning of the race. With his last victory coming at the Grand Prix of Portland last year, the Spaniard certainly would like to get his first win under his belt in 2022 at Indy. One of the most consistent drivers in the field, he already has racked up three top-three finishes in the 2022 campaign, including two second-place finishes.
Prediction: With eight former Indy 500 champions in the field, whoever wins the pole position, will most certainly get the best shot at the 2022 title. That said, Palou is hungry for his first win of the season and has been consistently at the top of the leaderboard in every race he has entered.
An exhilarating competition, the Indy 500 is definitely must-watch action for any fan of auto racing. In addition to racing, SBS has you covered with guides on all kinds of other sports. For instance, if you like college football, then our guide on NCAAF wagering is just for you. Also, when it comes to actually placing your bets, our payment options overview is a great tool for making sure you are utilizing the payment method best for you. For example, if you are a traditionalist, then our breakdown on using Visa is a solid place to start.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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