Top Contenders and Dark Horses for the 2025 Indianapolis 500
The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is almost here, and the excitement is real. Thirty-three cars will go wheel-to-wheel for 200 laps, all for that legendary glass of milk at the Yard of Bricks.
This year’s race, backed by Gainbridge, feels like it could be one for the ages. Veterans and hungry rookies both have their eyes on the prize, and the stories swirling around the 2025 Indy 500 are already electric.
From record chases to unexpected hopefuls, there’s a lot to watch. So, who’s got the edge? Let’s take a look at the favorites, the sleepers, and the wild storylines shaping this iconic event.
Favorites to Watch
Several drivers seem primed to steal the spotlight this year. Their skill and consistency have put them at the front of everyone’s mind heading into race day.
Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet)
Scott McLaughlin’s quietly turned into a major threat on ovals in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Last year, he led a whopping 556 laps on ovals—way more than anyone else, including his own teammate, Will Power.
He led 66 laps at last year’s Indy 500 but wound up sixth, which only seems to have sharpened his focus. With two oval wins last season at Iowa and Milwaukee, McLaughlin looks ready to finally put it all together on Sunday.
Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
Pato O’Ward keeps knocking on the door, with two runner-up finishes in the last three years and four top-six results in five tries. He’ll start third—a position that’s produced 14 winners. Maybe this is finally his year?
Scott Dixon (No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
Scott Dixon, a six-time champ, hasn’t won the Indy 500 since 2008. He’s finished in the top six three times in the last five years, and his practice runs have looked strong.
Dixon still feels like a force you can’t count out. Experience counts for a lot here.
Alex Palou (No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
Alex Palou hasn’t won on an oval yet (0-for-27), but he’s always in the mix. He’s had some tough luck at Indy, but his bounce-back ability is impressive.
Last year, he started 14th and still finished fourth. Maybe he finally breaks through.
Marcus Ericsson (No. 28 Allegra Honda)
Marcus Ericsson won the Indy 500 in 2022, so he knows how to get it done. He crashed out early last year but still has two top-two finishes in the last three years.
He’ll start ninth and says his car feels like a contender. That confidence isn’t nothing.
Sleepers Who Could Surprise
The favorites get most of the buzz, but a few under-the-radar drivers could easily shake things up. If things break their way, they might just steal the show.
David Malukas (No. 4 Clarience Technologies Chevrolet)
David Malukas, now with AJ Foyt Racing, tends to run well on ovals. He’s rolling off seventh, which puts him in a decent spot to make some noise up front.
Santino Ferrucci (No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet)
Santino Ferrucci has finished in the top 10 every single time he’s raced the Indy 500—six starts, six solid results. He led 11 laps on his way to third in 2023 and grabbed eighth last year. Consistency like that is hard to ignore.
Christian Rasmussen (No. 21 ECR Splenda Chevrolet)
Christian Rasmussen was last season’s top rookie and has looked sharp in practice. He’s been running top-15 speeds, so don’t be shocked if he sneaks into the conversation late in the race.
Takuma Sato (No. 75 AMADA Honda)
Takuma Sato isn’t a full-timer these days, but he’s always dangerous at Indy. He’ll start second, and he’s already won the race twice from strong qualifying spots.
If anyone can pull off a surprise, it’s Sato. A third Indy 500 win would be something.
Conor Daly (No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet)
Conor Daly says he’s got the best car he’s had since finishing 10th back in 2019. He’s put together three straight top-10 Indy 500s and looked good in practice.
Could this be the year he takes a bigger step? He sure seems to think so.
Key Storylines to Follow
The 2025 Indy 500 isn’t just about who’s fastest. The stories swirling around the race add another layer entirely. Here are a few to keep an eye on:
Rookie Sensations
Three drivers—Robert Shwartzman, Nolan Siegel, and Louis Foster—are making their Indy 500 debuts. Shwartzman grabbed the NTT P1 Award, but history’s not on their side; only 10 rookies have ever won this race.
Still, you never know. Maybe one of them writes a new chapter.
Helio Castroneves’ Record Pursuit
Helio Castroneves is chasing a fifth Indy 500 win, something no one’s ever done. He’ll start 22nd, so he’s got work to do, but you can’t ever count out that kind of experience.
Josef Newgarden’s Three-Peat Quest
Josef Newgarden is trying to become the first driver to win three straight Indy 500s. He’s starting 32nd, which is a tough spot, but he’s pulled off big things before.
Conclusion
The 2025 Indianapolis 500 looks like it’ll be a wild ride. There’s a cool mix of veterans, rookies, and all sorts of storylines brewing.
Favorites like Scott McLaughlin and Pato O’Ward stand out, but you can’t count out sleepers like David Malukas or Takuma Sato. It feels wide open this year—almost anyone could take it.
When the drivers hit the track, fans everywhere will be glued to their screens, waiting to see who crosses the Yard of Bricks first. That glass of milk at the end? It’s up for grabs.
For more details and some deeper analysis, you can check out the full article on Fox Sports.
