The Indy 500 Primer 🏁

05/26/2023 The Indy 500 Primer 🏁

By: Jeff Yoder

Everything You Need to Know for the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500

For 90 percent of the year, we cover team sports with balls, sticks, helmets, and gloves. Only a few events on the calendar bring cause for pause and captivate the entire sports world. The Kentucky Derby, Tour de France, Olympics, and World Cup fit that category. And then, there’s the Indianapolis 500.

 

The Greatest Spectacle in Racing is ready to take over the sports world for Memorial Day Weekend. The largest and most-attended single-day sporting event on Earth brings 300,000-plus to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday — the largest venue on the planet, too — for a spectacle of speed unlike any other. Memorial Day Weekend is here, and so is racing’s most iconic moment. Here’s everything you need to know for Sunday’s 500-mile dash.

 

Indy 500 For Beginners

The 500 is just one race in the IndyCar Series that runs 17 separate events throughout the season, but the 500 is markedly different than the rest. The 500-mile race features 200 laps on the 2.5-mile oval that registers as the largest sports venue in the world. More than 250,000 seats surround the track in the grandstands while tens of thousands watch from the infield. Cars travel at speeds beyond 230 mph with significantly more handling capabilities than NASCAR. IndyCar’s Formula 1 counterpart may provide a better seasonal product, but nothing compares to the experience of the 500.

 

Palou on the Pole

Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou will start from the pole position after winning qualifying with a speed of 234.217 mph. The 26-year-old Spaniard is fresh off winning the Indianapolis Grand Prix two weeks ago, and he seems to be right at home at IMS.

 

Starting Grid

Row 1: A. Palou | R. VeeKay | F. Rosenqvist

Row 2: S. Ferrucci | P. O’Ward | S. Dixon

Row 3: A. Rossi | T. Sato | T. Kanaan

Row 4: M. Ericsson | B. Pedersen | W. Power

Row 5: E. Carpenter | S. McLaughlin | K. Kirkwood

Full Starting Grid

 

Best Odds to Win 107th Indy 500

Alex Palou (+550), Scott Dixon (+750), Pato O’Ward (+750), Takuma Sato (+1000), Felix Rosenqvist (+1000), Marcus Ericsson (+1200), Alexander Rossi (+1200), Scott McLaughlin (+1200) | Full Odds

 

Recent Champions (Last 5 Years)

2022: Marcus Ericcson

2021: Helio Castroneves

2020: Takuma Sato

2019: Sion Pagenaud

2018 Will Power

 

Other Past Winners in the Field: Alexander Rossi, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tony Kanaan, Scott Dixon

 

Event Info

Race Start: 12:45 pm ET, NBC

Honorary Starter: Adam Driver (Actor)

Pace Car Driver: Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)

 

Drivers, start your engines!

 

Read More

IndyStar: Complete Guide to 2023 Indy 500

Motorsport: What to Watch For in 2023 Indy 500

ESPN: An Indy 500 Win is Life-Changing, Even for IndyCar Champions