Nathan Brown, IndyStar’s former IndyCar Insider, has accurately predicted the final two Indy 500 winners. (Do not ask about the remainder of Nathan’s predictions final season.) However after years of poor prognostication, IndyStar has proven some talent.
The winner of final yr’s predictions is videographer Clark Wade. No, he did not choose Alex Palou to win however he did choose him to complete third. Clark had Pato O’Ward profitable (he completed third) and Felix Rosenqvist second (he was additionally two spots off in fourth).
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Listed below are this yr’s predictions:
Zion Brown, motor sports activities reporter
1. David Malukas: Workforce Penske is aware of how one can win this race, and Malukas has realized from ending 2nd final yr with AJ Foyt Racing, so he’ll get his first IndyCar win on the grandest stage.
2. Alex Palou: The pole winner will likely be on the entrance of the pack all day however profitable this race two years in a row is asking quite a bit, even for the most effective IndyCar driver of his technology.
3. Conor Daly: Daly has one of many quickest automobiles on observe and is aware of how one can make up positions on this race, so he’ll get his first Indy 500 podium end.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti World driver Marcus Ericsson (28) will get out of his automobile Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti World driver Marcus Ericsson (28) will get out of his automobile Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Mick Schumacher (47) prepares to get in his automobile Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (75) talks in his pit field Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Crew members have a look at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato’s (75) wheel after he made contact with a barrier Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing driver Katherine Legge (11) sits in her automobile Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti World driver Will Energy (26) indicators autographs for a fan on Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Ed Carpenter (33) prepares to get in his automobile Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Racing followers watch apply Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Ed Carpenter (33) turns laps Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian driver Helio Castroneves (06) automobile is towed out pit lane Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti World driver Will Energy (26) prepares to get in his automobile Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
A Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Mick Schumacher (47) doll sits within the pit field Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian driver Helio Castroneves (06) walks pit lane Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
A.J. Foyt Enterprises driver Santino Ferrucci (14) talks with teammates on Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian driver Helio Castroneves (06) talks in his pit field Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti World driver Marcus Ericsson (28) completes as followers watch from the stands Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti World driver Marcus Ericsson (28) takes off his swimsuit whereas speaking to a teammate on Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti World driver Will Energy (26) stands in his pit field Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Christian Rasmussen (21) turns laps Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Crew members for Ed Carpenter Racing driver Ed Carpenter (33) stand exterior of the pit field Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (75) talks with Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian driver Helio Castroneves (06) on Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Ed Carpenter (33) talks with a teammate on Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Arrow McLaren driver Ryan Hunter-Reay (31) seems to be out on the observe Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
A.J. Foyt Enterprises driver Santino Ferrucci (14) walks along with his spouse, Renay, on Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (75) seems to be out on the observe Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Mick Schumacher (47) talks with teammates on Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Mick Schumacher (47) talks by his pit field Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti World driver Will Energy (26) competes at followers watch from the stands on Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Firehawk mascot rides in a cart by means of pit lane Sunday, Might 17, 2026, throughout apply forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Alexander Rossi (20) turns laps Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Alexander Rossi (20) talks in his pit field Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing driver Katherine Legge (11) automobile is pulled into pit lane Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Louis Foster (45) sips a beverage Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Christian Rasmussen (21) sits in his pit field Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing driver Katherine Legge (11) will get into her automobile Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti World driver Will Energy (26) talks after getting out of his automobile Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti World driver Will Energy (26) talks after getting out of his automobile Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Graham Rahal (15) seems to be out on the observe Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti World driver Marcus Ericsson (28) prepares to get in his automobile Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti World driver Marcus Ericsson (28) talks with Andretti World driver Will Energy (26) on Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian driver Helio Castroneves (06) prepares to get in his automobile Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian driver Helio Castroneves (06) sits on the pit wall Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian driver Helio Castroneves (06) provides a thumbs up Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Images: Qualifying for the one hundred and tenth Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti World driver Kyle Kirkwood (27) turns laps Sunday, Might 17, 2026, forward of qualifying for the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Nathan Brown, sports activities reporter
1. Pato O’Ward: O’Ward and his workforce have been too sturdy on this race for too a few years working to not break by means of in some unspecified time in the future, and although the automobile has been a handful at occasions, I believe this lastly is the yr O’Ward prevails.
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2. Alex Palou: Past attempting to foretell the unpredictable, it appears solely a fluke may have Palou anyplace however the contending pack on the finish, however I couldn’t fairly get to pondering we’d have consecutive back-to-back winners, given how uncommon that’s been on this race’s historical past.
3. Conor Daly: All month, Daly has mentioned he’s obtained the most effective automobile he’s ever had for the five hundred, and his qualifying outcomes drove that time dwelling. Predicting a first-time win for a workforce and driver is a bit too massive of a step for me, given the expertise up there prone to be contending, however I totally count on Daly to be within the combine on the ultimate pit cease.
Gregg Doyel, columnist
1. Alex Palou: Palou is the GOAT of IndyCar, and GOATs do not lose. Not from the pole.
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2 Conor Daly: Daly has had the gang’s love (to go along with sturdy exhibiting at his hometown race).
3. Felix Rosenqvist: Rosenqvist has had the quickest automobile for a lot of the buildup to race day.
Dana Hunsinger Benbow, enterprise author
1. Takuma Sato: Sato has mastered this observe twice, profitable his first Indy 500 in 2017 with Andretti Autosport and his second in 2020 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. This yr, he’ll take his third victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and it’ll pay tribute to workforce proprietor Bobby Rahal, who 40 years in the past received the Indy 500.
2. Alex Palou: Palou, the pole sitter, is the clear favourite. If he takes first, it can imply a back-to-back victory at IMS. He grew to become the primary Spaniard to win the race in 2025. However his dominance as IndyCar’s main man will flip into the runner up at this race.
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3. David Malukas: Malukas earned his spot within the entrance row as an up-and-coming star of Workforce Penske, driving its No. 12 Chevrolet. In his fourth begin on the Indy 500 and his first with Penske, he’ll show he deserved his third-place place on the observe.
Clark Wade, video
David Malukas – Penske’s religion in his oval expertise pays off.
Santino Ferrucci – Extends his top-10 streak however misses the win.
Felix Rosenqvist – Has had the velocity all month, however falls brief.
Scott Horner, trending reporter
Whereas desperately not acknowledging that Alex Palou is inevitable …
Scott McLaughlin: McLaughlin slipped just a little in Quick 12 qualifying however he has in any other case been sturdy and can provide Roger Penske a twenty first win as a automobile proprietor.
Santino Ferrucci: Ferrucci claims his automobile is a lot better in race setup than for qualifying — and he certified fifth. Ferrucci normally improves from his beginning place, so search for him to contend.
David Malukas: Malukas completed second final yr (third on observe, and up one place after Marcus Ericsson was penalized) and he begins on the entrance row this yr. He is one other sturdy Workforce Penske candidate.
Mykal McEldowney, photographer
Alex Palou: He checks each field at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with velocity, precision, and consistency. Palou delivers once more, going back-to-back because the winner of the 2026 Indianapolis 500.
Josef Newgarden: He’s a legit risk to Palou. Newgarden’s technique has persistently delivered at Indy, and there’s little purpose to suppose that modifications this yr. Don’t be shocked if he’s proper there on the end, if not celebrating a 3rd Indy 500 win.
Takuma Sato: Sato is a sneaky, high-speed risk. Don’t be shocked to see him within the prime three—he’s received right here in 2017 and 2020 and is aware of precisely how one can get it executed at Indy.
Aaron Ferguson, assistant sports activities editor
Alex Palou: Again and again Palou and his workforce have proven why he is dominated IndyCar, and consecutive 500 wins would proceed his path to changing into the most effective of all-time.
Felix Rosenqvist: Not solely did Rosenqvist’s automobile look unbeatable till Palou and three others topped him in Quick 6 qualifying, he completed fourth ranging from fifth final yr.
David Malukas: That is the spot the first-year Penske driver completed final yr earlier than a technical inspection bumped Marcus Ericsson out of second. Malukas has had a formidable season, and has a shot at profitable.
Josh Heron, sports activities reporter
Alex Palou: There are not any indicators of this man slowing down anytime quickly.
Scott McLaughlin: That is his redemption yr after crashing on the 109th Indy 500.
Pato O’Ward: I consider Pato enters this race decided to recover from the hump lastly however will fall simply brief as soon as once more.
Cameron Cocquyt, clerk
Felix Rosenqvist: Rosenqvist continues momentum that he constructed up from the qualifying rounds to win his first ever Indy 500
Josef Newgarden: Seasoned veteran is a two-time winner.
Conor Daly: Noblesville-native and early apply session standout.
Jessica Garcete, sports activities intern
Pato O’Ward: I’d be actually upset if I didn’t choose him the yr he lastly wins it. He’s been too good at Indianapolis for too lengthy, and in some unspecified time in the future, the “bridesmaid” narrative has to finish.
David Malukas: He’s been the most effective Penske automobile all month. Quietly assured, persistently quick — and he’s beginning on the entrance row.
Conor Daly: The hometown hero! Beginning eighth places him proper in hanging distance, and he’s been regular sufficient all month to make it depend.
Nat Newell, sports activities editor
Alex Palou: How will you choose anybody else?
Scott McLaughlin: Final yr was horrific for McLaughlin and Workforce Penske, it could’t be that dangerous once more.
Ed Carpenter: One final hurrah for the native driver.
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