Betting Guide: Monaco GP, Indy 500, NASCAR Tips and Picks
For racing fans—whether you live for the roar of engines or just tune in occasionally—this Sunday’s shaping up to be a wild ride. Three huge events are stacked up: the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monaco, the Indianapolis 500, and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600.
Betting? There are a ton of ways to get involved, even if you’re brand new. Let’s dig into the options and toss out a few tips that might help you snag a win.
Understanding the Racing Events
Contents
The day starts early with the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monaco at 9 a.m. ET. Monaco’s famous for its tight corners and almost no room to pass—qualifying is everything here.
After that, the Indianapolis 500 takes over at 12:45 p.m. You’ll get a full dose of speed and strategy. Wrapping up the day, NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 kicks off at 6 p.m., grinding through 600 miles at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Betting on Race Winners
The most basic bet? Pick who wins. It’s simple and pays out the most, but yeah, it’s risky.
- Oscar Piastri in Formula 1 at +190
- Pato O’Ward in the Indy 500 at +450
- Kyle Larson in NASCAR at +550
Still, don’t sleep on the underdogs. Racing history’s packed with wild upsets, like Takuma Sato’s 30-1 shocker at the 2017 Indy 500 or Ryan Blaney pulling off a 22-1 win in the 2023 Coca-Cola 600.
Alternative Betting Options
If picking a winner feels like too much of a gamble, you’ve got other ways to play.
Top Finishes
Formula 1 lets you bet on drivers finishing in the top three, six, or ten. In NASCAR and IndyCar, you can go for top five or top ten finishes.
Take McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris—they’ve been hanging around the top three a lot this season, so maybe that’s a safer shot at a podium bet.
Winning Manufacturer
You can also bet on which car manufacturer comes out on top. IndyCar gives you Chevrolet or Honda; NASCAR throws in Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota.
Double Top 3/6/10
Think both McLaren guys will land on the podium in Monaco? Try a double top three bet—it usually pays closer to even money.
Race Winning Margin
This one’s about guessing the victory margin. Monaco’s tight, so big gaps can happen, but in NASCAR, late yellow flags often bunch everyone up.
Specialty Bets
Want to get a little weird with it? There are some quirky bets out there.
Race Winner Number
This is kind of like roulette. NASCAR’s over/under sits at 17.5, Indy 500’s at 9.5. Guys like Pato O’Ward (No. 3) and Scott Dixon (No. 9) fall under, while Álex Palou (No. 10) and Robert Shwartzman (No. 83) are over.
Top Driver for Manufacturer
In NASCAR, you can bet on which driver from Chevrolet, Ford, or Toyota finishes highest.
Number of Leaders
You can also guess how many different drivers will lead at least one lap in a NASCAR race. Right now, the line’s at 12.5, but recent races have been all over the map.
F1-Specific Bets
Formula 1 has some unique angles too.
Fastest Lap
Here, you bet on who’ll clock the single fastest lap. F1 doesn’t give a bonus point for it anymore, but it’s still a fun wager.
First Driver/Car Retirement
Try to guess which car will bow out first. It’s unpredictable, so the odds are usually pretty long.
Safety Car
Will a safety car come out? At Monaco, it’s happened in two of the last four years, so it’s a bit of a coin toss.
Fastest Pit Stop
Pick which team nails the quickest pit stop. Ferrari’s the favorite right now, with drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in the mix.
Race Matchups and Group Winners
These bets pit drivers head-to-head or group them up. Head-to-head odds usually sit near even, but group bets offer bigger payouts since they’re tougher to hit.
Expert Picks
Looking for some expert advice? Here are a few top picks for the weekend that might catch your eye:
- Formula 1: Double top three for McLaren (-110) in Monaco. Qualifying really matters here since overtaking is nearly impossible.
- Indy 500: Álex Palou (+550) to win outright.
- Coca-Cola 600: Kyle Larson (+500) as the winner. Larson’s got a solid track record and plans to tackle both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in a single day—ambitious, right?
If you’re feeling bold and want longer odds, maybe take a look at Josh Berry (25-1), Chris Buescher (25-1), or Carson Hocevar (40-1) for the Coca-Cola 600.
Want more detailed betting tips and odds? Check out ESPN BET.
