IndyCar: 5 longshot picks to win the Indy 500

Indy 500 longshots: No. 5 – David Malukas (+4000)

For some, David Malukas may very well fit the description of longshot pick with a chance at a decent result. But it’s time to start talking about “Little Dave” as a true contender to pull off an upset in this year’s Indy 500.

Malukas, who was robbed of last year’s Indy 500 Rookie of the Year Award after finishing in a rookie-best 16th place, has made amazing strides not just as an IndyCar driver but as an oval driver.

He has finished in the top eight at every oval track the series has visited since then, and he was the highest finishing non-Team Penske, Chip Ganassi Racing, or Arrow McLaren driver in last year’s oval standings.

Highlighting his recent oval success is a runner-up finish at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway last August, when he boldly passed Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin and was on his way to hunting down fellow Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden before the checkered flag flew.

He backed that up with a fourth place effort in this year’s oval opener at Texas Motor Speedway, showing poise and calmness well beyond his years in what turned into an old school-style pack race.

What also flies under the radar is Dale Coyne Racing’s speed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They always bring solid cars to the Racing Capital of the World, even if it’s not talked about as much as it is when it comes to some of the sport’s powerhouse teams. Both Dale Coyne Racing cars qualified in the top 13 last year.

This year’s Indy 500 is set to be broadcast live on NBC from Indianapolis Motor Speedway beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 28.