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Indy 500 power rankings: 3 underrated drivers for 2023

By Brennan Dolan

Christian Lundgaard, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, IndyCar (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Christian Lundgaard, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, IndyCar (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Callum Ilott, Juncos Hollinger Racing, IndyCar, Indy 500
Callum Ilott, Juncos Hollinger Racing, IndyCar, Indy 500 (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Underrated Indy 500 drivers: No. 2 – Callum Ilott (Rank: 26th)

Callum Ilott has an opportunity to truly show that both he and Juncos Hollinger Racing are for real with this year’s Indy 500.

Last year, Ilott showed speed in his Indy 500 debut. He was able to run fastest during Rookie Orientation and Refresher testing. The rookie qualified in 19th place and was headed toward an overall impressive Indy 500 debut. However, in only his second oval race, he showed his youth by losing control and crashing out early.

The only thing that will hold Ilott back this year is if that contact with the wall last year leads to any timidness. His seventh place finish at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this season is a good sign that he won’t be backing down on ovals.

In five Indy 500 starts, Juncos Hollinger Racing’s best finish is 15th place in 2017 with Sebastian Saavedra. Three straight DNFs — and no finishes at all since their debut in 2017 — will have them hungry for a good result this year. Expect the No. 77 Chevrolet to come out with guns blazing this weekend to set the team up for success come Sunday, May 28.

In a season during which Juncos Hollinger Racing were able to turn heads out of the gate, the Indy 500 will be their chance to show that they are here to stay.