Expert Predictions: Who Will Win the 109th Indianapolis 500

The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is almost here, and you can feel the buzz in the air. Fans are counting down the minutes, and the FOX59/CBS4 news team has thrown out their own predictions for who might grab that legendary win.

There’s no shortage of opinions—some are backing proven legends, others are rooting for up-and-comers. Let’s see who the FOX59/CBS4 crew is picking and what makes their choices stand out in this year’s packed race.

Expert Predictions from FOX59/CBS4 Talent

The FOX59/CBS4 team jumped in bright and early to cover the build-up, catching all the energy from the Speedway. Their picks give us a quick look at which drivers could pull off something big this time around.

Scott Jones: Scott Dixon

Scott Dixon has a cabinet full of championships, so it’s not shocking that Scott Jones picked him. Jones points to Dixon’s experience and sharp instincts as reasons he’s tough to beat.

Lindy Thackston: Takuma Sato

Lindy Thackston’s got her money on Takuma Sato. Sato’s won here before and has a reputation for gutsy moves. Thackston clearly trusts that Sato can handle the pressure and maybe pull off another win.

Dan Spehler and Zach Myers: Alex Palou

Dan Spehler and Zach Myers both went with Alex Palou. Palou’s been turning heads lately, and his recent results make him a real threat. They’re betting his hot streak isn’t cooling off anytime soon.

Beairshelle Edmé, Rafael Sánchez, and Alia Blackburn: Helio Castroneves

Helio Castroneves has three fans in Beairshelle Edmé, Rafael Sánchez, and Alia Blackburn. With four Indy 500 victories already, Castroneves knows this place better than almost anyone. They’re hoping he’s got one more win in him.

Sierra Hignite: Josef Newgarden

Sierra Hignite thinks Josef Newgarden will take it. Newgarden’s got two IndyCar titles and a knack for finding speed when it matters. Hignite figures that edge could make all the difference.

Eric Graves: Conor Daly

Eric Graves is all in on the hometown story with Conor Daly. Daly’s shown flashes of brilliance and has a lot of local love behind him. Graves is hoping that mix of heart and home crowd energy pays off.

Chris Hagan: Scott McLaughlin

Chris Hagan picked Scott McLaughlin. McLaughlin’s new to IndyCar but he’s adapted fast and isn’t afraid to push. Hagan’s rolling the dice on a breakout run from the newcomer.

Chris Widlic, Chelsea Helms, and Kit Hanley: Scott Dixon

Chris Widlic, Chelsea Helms, and Kit Hanley are also backing Scott Dixon. That’s a lot of faith in Dixon’s skills, and honestly, it’s hard to argue against it given his track record.

Amber Hardwick and Brian Wilkes: Pato O’Ward

Amber Hardwick and Brian Wilkes are cheering for Pato O’Ward. O’Ward’s aggressive style and raw speed have caught a lot of attention. They’re hoping he can turn that into something special this year.

Jim O’Brien: Ed Carpenter

Jim O’Brien’s pick is Ed Carpenter. Carpenter knows this place inside and out, both as a driver and an owner. O’Brien’s banking on that experience giving him an edge when it counts.

The Race to Watch

The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 promises a wild ride this year. You’ve got seasoned champions and hungry newcomers all gunning for the win.

The FOX59/CBS4 team’s predictions add an extra layer of intrigue. Every driver brings something different—maybe it’s Scott Dixon’s cool under pressure, or Takuma Sato’s gutsy moves.

And then there are the younger names. Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward could shake things up in ways we can’t quite predict yet.

Curious about how it’ll all shake out? For more coverage and updates on the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500, check out FOX59/CBS4. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see who grabs the spotlight this time.