DraftKings makes rare IndyCar betting update
By Asher Fair
DraftKings Sportsbook has made the rare decision to publish a full list of IndyCar championship odds after just seven of 17 races on the 2023 schedule.
It is rare that you see championship odds posted anywhere at any point throughout the 2023 IndyCar season. You usually won’t see these odds after the season begins, and you will only see them at select sportsbooks over the winter.
Things are handled much differently when it comes to NASCAR and Formula 1, which see not only timely odds updates for each race weekend but timely championship odds updates after every race on the calendar.
But the 2023 IndyCar season has seen an increase in timely odds for individual races, including Indy 500 odds which were available at some sportsbooks since even before the season began.
So it is evident that amid a continued popularity growth of the most competitive racing series in the world, the sport is making big strides in the betting space to try to keep up with the likes of NASCAR and Formula 1.
DraftKings Sportsbook finally shared the updated IndyCar championship odds earlier this week, and with an unsurprising favorite.
Here are the current top five drivers in those odds, with 10 of 17 races remaining on this year’s schedule, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing: -180
- Josef Newgarden, Team Penske: +400
- Marcus Ericsson, Chip Ganassi Racing: +500
- Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren: +800
- Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing: +1600
A full list of odds can be found here.
Odds and availability subject to change. Sign up with DraftKings to bet now and take advantage of their current special promotion!
Alex Palou, who has dominated and won two of the three most recent races, currently owns a 51-point lead in the championship standings over teammate Marcus Ericsson, with Indy 500 champion Josef Newgarden sitting 19 points further back in third place.
No driver can overcome more than a 49-point deficit in a single race weekend, provided the driver ahead competes in the race.
But no driver has mathematically secured the championship with more than one race remaining on the schedule since Dan Wheldon won it with two races remaining in 2005. Can Palou, who won the title in 2021, become the first?
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The eighth of 17 races on the 2023 IndyCar schedule is the Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America presented by AMR, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 18. The race is set to be broadcast live on USA Network from Road America beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET. Begin a free trial of FuboTV today and don’t miss it!