Sports betting

NASCAR Betting, Motor Race Betting, Motor Racing Betting Odds

by Chad Rogers | April 20 2009

Can Helio Castroneves win the Indy 500? Right now he is listed as one of the favorites in the Indy 500 future odds at online sportsbooks.

SPORTSBETTING.COM has Castroneves with odds of 4-1. He is fresh off a long battle with the Federal Government regarding tax evasion, and now it's time to see if he can win another battle, this time at Indy Motor Raceway.

The Indy 500 betting favorite is Scott Dixon. He is listed at 7-2 odds at the online sportsbook. Sports betting on auto racing has been growing over the years, with NASCAR odds going up on all the races and NASCAR betting showing big increases. Betting on the Indy 500 is the biggest auto racing wagering event for the open-wheel racing in North America.

Race day is May 24th, so there is a couple of weeks of open for betting activity. Looking closer at the Indy 500 odds, there will be a lot of attention paid to the best looking driver in the field, Danica Patrick. The odds on Danica Patrick are 10-1. She will start in the 10th position and has a real shot at grabbing a victory in this prestigious event. She won IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2005, which was the year she came in fourth in the Indy 500. Also eventful from that race was the fact Patrick lead 19 laps of the race.

SPORTSBETTING.COM reported the early Indy 500 betting is showing money coming in on the favorites mentioned above, plus Dario Franchitti is getting attention from bettors. Franchitti, who gains our respect for the sole reason he's married to actress Ashley Judd, is listed with 7-1 odds.

Castroneves' profile has risen considerably since winning the "Dancing With the Stars" contest and it has helped bring media attention to the sport… plus increasing auto racing betting.

Castroneves is starting on the Indy 500 pole.

Marco Andretti, he of the great lineage, is listed at 12-1. Andretti will start from the eighth spot. He is the son of former Indy 500 winners Michael and grandson of racing legend Mario Andretti, he finished second at the 2006 Indianapolis 500.

Paul Tracy is back, making his first start in the Indianapolis 500 since finishing second to Castroneves in 2002.

Here are some of the odds:

Indy 500 Odds

• Paul Tracy 30-1
• Vitor Meira 25-1
• Will Power 25-1
• Dan Wheldon 18-1
• Graham Rahal 15-1
• Marco Andretti 12-1
• Danica Patrick 10-1
• Tony Kanaan 8-1
• Field (Any Other Driver) 7-1
• Dario Franchitti 6-1
• Ryan Briscoe 6-1
• Helio Castroneves 4-1
• Scott Dixon 7-2

Keep an eye out for Indy 500 prop betting options that will start showing up soon. Options like "how many cars will finish the race", etc. will be available at SPORTSBETTING.COM in the coming weeks.

Racing betting, and motor racing fans have a big month ahead as the betting action on the Indy 500 heats up as the race gets closer.

Enjoy the big race.