2009 Indy 500 Preview

Nothing washes down a checkered flag at the Indianapolis 500 like a tall, cool glass of milk. Unless, of course, you wagered on the Indy 500 winner.

The 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 takes place this Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bodog has plenty of wagers available, including outright winner odds as well as head-to-head betting matchups; check Bodog Sports for the latest lines on the race.

Defending champion Scott Dixon is the overall favorite (+400). He’s coming off his first victory of the season and 17th career checkered flag at the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 in Kansas last month. Dixon ran the fifth fastest qualifying time and won’t have the advantage of last year’s pole position. He was dominant in 2008, leading 115 laps as a +300 favorite. Following qualifying, Dixon told the media his car was performing poorly at the end of the run and needs tuning before Sunday’s race.

Another former Indy 500 winner is among the chalk for this weekend. Two-time champion Helio Castroneves is priced at +350 at Bodog. Despite distractions of the Hollywood spotlight and recent legal issues, Castroneves burned up the Brickyard in qualifying, claiming the pole for the third time in his career. However, starting from the front hasn’t helped the Brazilian in past Indy 500 appearances. In his two wins at Indianapolis, Castroneves started in 11th and 13th place.

A good value at +600 is 2007 Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, who will start in third for Sunday’s race. It’s the same place from which he claimed the checkered two years ago as a +1000 underdog. Following a terrific 2007, Franchitti made the switch to NASCAR. He struggled in stock cars and broke his ankle in a crash, eventually returning to IndyCar when his NASCAR ride was parked due to sponsorship issues. He returned to the familiar circuit with a bang, winning the second race of the season at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

In recent years, the Indianapolis 500 headlines have been dominated by Danica Patrick’s rise to stardom in the sport. While she might be the most recognizable face in IndyCar, the stunning brunette has just one win in her five-year career. Her best finish at the Brickyard came in her first run, with a fourth-place finish in 2005. Patrick has looked strong in her past two races, finishing fifth and fourth, and will start in 10th place this weekend at +1100.

Quietly creeping up the betting board is Australian Ryan Briscoe (+500). He claimed victory in the first race of the season at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and is improving his performance on ovals with a fourth-place finish at Kansas last month. Often overshadowed by his teammate Castroneves, who he will start behind in second place, Briscoe had two victories and five Top-5 finishes in a breakout 2008 season. In last year’s Indy 500, Briscoe clipped Patrick in the pits and eliminated both drivers after 171 laps.

Get in on all the Indy 500 fever at Bodog Sports today!